Chapter 422
They were actually discussing Ariel’s research paper from years ago.
+25 BONUS
Chad leaned over and said in a low voice, “That paper you wrote five years ago is still ahead of its time. A lot of people could really learn something from it.”
That was what set Ariel apart.
Otherwise, Carlos wouldn’t have sworn off taking on students the moment Ariel walked away from academia to get married.
And now here they were. Her paper was being used as a case study in a high–level international academic conference like this.
Ariel looked up at the screen, listening as the scholars around her began exchanging thoughts on the paper.
Up front, Jayson looked up at the paper being featured–one recognized in the field as significant enough to be discussed.
Next to him, Steven Pollard was chatting with a few others. This one was published a few years ago, wasn’t it? It’s really ahead of its time. I’d love to meet the author someday.”
“I read it back then too,” another added. “I was really curious about who the author was, but I never heard anything about them after that. It’s a shame, really.”
Steven seemed genuinely surprised. “Someone capable of writing at this level should be a well–known figure in the field by now. Hard to believe they’re not active in academic circles.”
It was like the author had published one masterpiece and then disappeared.
Jayson glanced at the screen for a while before turning to Steven. “Do all of you think this is good work?”
Steven smiled. “Mr. Larkin, it’s more than good. It’s brilliant. It’s top–tier academic work.”
Jayson nodded, quietly listening as those around him broke down the paper’s strengths and possibilities.
Meanwhile, Nancy wore a consistently serious expression.
She, too, had to admit that the quality of this research paper, written entirely in Merinian, was remarkably high.
It had just been mentioned that the research paper was from five years ago, yet it felt incredibly ahead of its time. The cutting–edge topic and innovative perspective left people in awe even now.
But at the same time, there were large sections Nancy struggled to fully grasp. It was dense and difficult to digest.
She would definitely need to revisit the books and literature more thoroughly once she was back home to study them in depth.
A full half hour of discussion went into breaking it down, and Nancy understood only parts of it.
Then, at the very end, the name of the author appeared–A. Walker.
Jayson saw it too.
His gaze rested lightly on that name. His eyes revealed no clear emotion beneath the surface.
However, Nancy’s brows furrowed instantly.
That name was unfamiliar in the academic world. Besides this one paper, no one had heard of this person
1/2
Chapter 422
+25 BONUS
publishing anything else.
But that name matched Ariel’s exactly–same initial and sane last name.
Frowning, Nancy turned to the side to glance at Ariel beside her.
Ariel hadn’t engaged at all with the discussion on the research paper. Throughout the entire segment, she sat there without offering a single thought, as if she didn’t understand a word of it.
She didn’t even jot down a single note about the discussion
Her attitude came off as passive, detached, and blank, like someone listening to a foreign language they couldn’t begin to grasp.
Nancy frowned. She felt that someone like Ariel being allowed into this place was a waste of resources. She was bringing the whole level down.
She scoffed inwardly and turned her attention back to the front. Ariel was just lucky to share the same initials as the author.
As the conference wrapped up, Chad was in a great mood. A fast learner like him had absorbed a ton today.
Ariel stood up and noticed Nancy already striding off toward the front, where Jayson was.
Perfect. Saved her the trouble of asking Nancy to clear the aisle.
As Chad watched Nancy’s proud figure, he clicked his tongue. “Before the conference, she was bragging about how her paper got her in. But in the end, she’s just here to study your paper from five years ago.”
Nancy’s research paper was just a stepping stone to enter and study Ariel’s paper. Whether she could even understand it was another matter entirely.
Chapter 423
+25 BONUS
Chapter 423
