Chapter 3

The next day, I arrived at the lab as usual and proactively approached Lily. "Do you need me to help review the draft?"

Her eyes were guarded, but she nodded. "Thanks, Hailey."

I sat beside her and opened her document.

The paper was beautifully written. I knew Marcus's writing style too well—he likely wrote it himself while she took credit.

But in the data presentation section, I immediately spotted problems.

I pointed at the screen. "This set of data—did you remeasure it?"

Her eyes flickered. "Yes... Professor Smith said this better fits the theoretical predictions."

I sneered inwardly.

Science isn't about fitting predictions—it's about respecting facts.

But I nodded. "True, this makes the charts look better."

I enthusiastically helped her adjust the chart formatting, making extremely subtle changes to several key parameter settings.

With Lily's skill level, she couldn't possibly notice. Instead, she said gratefully:

"Hailey, you're amazing. The charts suddenly look so much more professional."

Marcus came over and glanced at it, nodding. "Good."

He looked at me, his tone softening. "Hailey, about yesterday... my tone was harsh. But you need to understand—Lily comes from a difficult background. This authorship is very important to her."

I smiled. "I understand. Team interests first."

He seemed relieved, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Dinner together tonight? Consider it... compensation."

My body tensed slightly, but I still nodded. "Okay."

He smiled. That smile had once moved my heart for ten years. Now I only found it hypocritical.

At the upscale Western restaurant, Marcus reserved a window seat.

He unusually gallantly pulled out my chair and ordered dishes I liked.

"Remember our first proper dinner together?" He cut his steak. "Same restaurant."

I nodded.

Of course I remembered.

That day he received his first national-level project and said "we should celebrate."

That night he drank too much, rambled about his ambitions, and finally fell asleep on my shoulder.

In the end, I paid the bill.

"Ten years went by so fast." He raised his glass. "Hailey, thank you for accompanying me all these years."

I clinked glasses but didn't drink.

He continued talking to himself: "Once we secure the Lincoln Award this time, we'll..."

He stopped mid-sentence.

"Get married?" I finished for him.

His eyes flickered. "Yes. So about the paper—don't dwell on it anymore. After Lily graduates, I'll arrange better projects for you."

I smiled. "Okay."

He seemed satisfied with my "compliance" and talked more: "Lily is really struggling, you know. Single-parent family, her mother seriously ill, surviving entirely on scholarships..."

I listened quietly.

He'd said these things before, only the protagonist was me back then.

Then he said: "I'll make you successful."

Now he said: "You need to help Lily."

Such irony.