"What gives you the right?"

Julian Evans sneered.

"This is the Vance Group's decision, Evelyn Ross. You have no say."

"Does Dr. Nan agree?"

Evelyn's tone was calm, her eyes mocking.

Julian froze.

"Does Dr. Nan need to report to you?"

Could she actually know Dr. Nan?

Evelyn's lips curved slightly.

"I am—"

Before she could say "Dr. Nan," Daniel Clementson stepped forward, blocking her.

"We only take orders from our team leader!"

Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Daniel.

The rest of the team voiced their support.

"Yes, we all stand with our leader!"

Evelyn stared at them, unable to believe it.

Just half an hour ago, they had accused her of slacking off.

Now they were defending her without hesitation.

Julian was not only the VP of R&D but also the Vance family's heir.

Crossing him could ruin their careers at Vance Group.

Yet they didn't seem to care...

A lump formed in Evelyn's throat, warmth filling her eyes.

Julian's face darkened with suppressed rage.

"Quite confident, aren't you? If you don't need Dr. Nan, finishing the project should be easy. Submit the solution by Friday before leaving work."

The R&D project was split between two teams.

The final integration was the hardest part.

Jason Lawrence could have solved it in two or three months.

But Julian only gave them one week?

Jason roared, "This is pure harassment!"

Julian sneered, "Dr. Nan could do it in three days.Since you're so capable, a week is already quite generous."

He turned and walked away.

Evelyn's gaze turned serious as she followed him.

"Can we talk?"

They reached the stairwell.

Julian narrowed his eyes.

Evelyn met his gaze directly.

"Care to make a bet?"

The words made Julian freeze.

It reminded him of their university days.

Back then, he had pursued her with youthful energy.

"Evelyn, care to make a bet? Whoever finishes their thesis first gets to ask the other for a favor."

She had looked at him like he was an idiot, but eventually agreed.

He pulled all-nighters to finish his thesis first.

He went to her, asking to give her a gift at graduation, pleading with her not to reject it...

But in the end, that gift was never given.

She was a love child... making his four years of pursuit a joke!

Julian's expression turned mocking.

"Why would I bet with you?"

Evelyn provoked him.

"Afraid to lose to me again?"

Julian stared.

"Again?"

Evelyn took out her phone and opened her email.

"I won back then."

Julian looked at the timestamp—she had submitted her thesis the day after their bet!

His pupils constricted suddenly.

He had never even come close to keeping up with her...

His pride made him blurt out.

"What's the bet?"

Evelyn said slowly.

"If Team One submits the solution by Friday, and Dr. Nan doesn't give it to you, you will never interfere with Team One's work again."

She wouldn't stay long, but she wanted to secure her team's future.

Julian sneered.

"If you fail to submit, but Dr. Nan gives me the solution, you will obey my every order from now on."

"Deal."

Julian was puzzled.

"Evelyn, you're talented, but how can you possibly beat Dr. Nan?"

Evelyn smiled ironically.

"Did Dr. Nan really agree to be Vance Group's technical support? Did he say it himself?"

Julian froze.

Evelyn ignored him and returned to the Team One office.

The team was sighing, but they perked up when they saw her.

"Maybe it's better not to meet Dr. Nan... He's like a god among men. What good would it do?"

"Right? Would meeting him turn me into a genius?"

"Don't worry, Evelyn. The project is tough. What can Julian do if we can't finish it?"

...

Jason coughed and said gruffly.

"What are you all standing around for? No work to do? Conference room, now! Time to reassign tasks."

"Coming~"

Evelyn strolled into the conference room.

Jason seemed to be waiting for her. He only started assigning tasks after she entered...

At下班时间, Evelyn expected overtime, but the team packed up and left.

She took her laptop to the underground parking garage.

She didn't notice that after she left, the team members returned to the office one by one... to work overtime.

In the underground parking garage, inside the Bentley.

Thomas Watson asked.

"Boss, shall we go?"

"Wait a bit longer."

Alexander Vance said calmly, holding a thick technical manual.

Thomas was confused until he saw Evelyn approach and get into the car naturally.

Alexander looked up.

"Let's go."

Thomas: ?

The boss didn't arrange to meet Miss Ross after work?

The car drove smoothly.

Evelyn glanced at the book in Alexander's hand, wanting to borrow it.

But thinking of her work... she decided to ask in three days!

The ride was quiet until they reached the hospital.

As they entered the VIP ward area, they heard Linda Lowell's loud voice.

"Madam, I came specifically to see you... We're so connected..."

Eleanor Vance blocked the ward door, glaring at Linda.

"Get out! I'll call security if you don't leave!"

Linda smiled ingratiatingly.

"I'm Evelyn Ross's mother. You like her so much. You can't treat me like this for her sake..."

"You're not her mother!" Eleanor said firmly.

"Sophia Ashcroft is her mother!"

Linda broke out in a cold sweat and blurted out.