Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Just tweak the data a bit to keep it consistent, no need to waste time verifying.' Even though Carlson had anticipated it, hearing it firsthand was still a shock.

"This is, academic, fraud!" He stressed every word.

Edna's face turned sour: "Carlson, you're a sensible guy. I trust you know what should and shouldn't be said. As your mentor, I'm just offering you a way to solve the problem. What to do with it, is up to you." Carlson looked up, locking eyes with Edna with an intensity she hadn't seen before.

"Professor, this isn't right."

It just wasn't right...

After Carlson left, Edna watched his departing back and snickered.

It's okay if he doesn't get it now. People grow.

Eventually, he'll understand that truth doesn't matter. What matters is how many papers you've published, how much academic output you've produced.

People say research is pure, but Edna scoffed at that.

Wherever there are people, there's a struggle - for resources, funding, status, titles... Aren't all these tied to output?

Only those who reach the summit have the right to talk about "purity". But first, you've got to reach the summit.

Edna took out her phone, "Call Hertha Sherwood over."

was her time to

school's been in session for almost a month now. How are you adjusting? How are the senior students treating you? No one's giving you a hard time, right?" Hertha was somewhat flattered: "No,

good to hear. I called you here because there's something related to the lab I need to discuss with

"Does that mean I can start getting involved in

by me, of course, there's a spot for you in the research team. It's just that we've

going on? Just tell me,

grew warmer: "You might have heard, the group led by Madeleine next door bought the latest model of the CPRT analyzer with their own funds. Our team's budget is tight, so I was wondering if

worry, your hard

go unnoticed. I'll

of your contribution. When

high-priority projects or conference

you'll be the first

as your grades are solid, that shouldn't be a problem

promise them the moon. Whether they'll get

achieve something, especially since... her mother placed such high value on education, it was almost a fixation. If she

second thought,

much, after all. A little sweet

securing a new CPRT analyzer for Edna's lab,

the budget being just

up costing over

Hertha had to sell more than a dozen of her beloved designer bags to make up the rest. Those bags