When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0641

“How’s that possible?” Beckett was in disbelief.

Not only were Miranda and the other students at Bedford College, but their advisor, Christine, was still officially a faculty member.

“If it’s not credited to the college, then where?”

Aileen replied, “Infinity Lab.”

A thought flashed through Beckett’s mind. He quickly grabbed his mouse and scrolled through the paper, searching repeatedly but finding no trace of Christine’s name.

He murmured, “No corresponding author? No, no… that’s impossible…”

Aileen clarified, “According to guidelines, if there’s no listed corresponding author, the first author is assumed to serve that role by default. So, technically, this arrangement is fine.”

Technically, yes, but why would Christine make this choice? She could have claimed credit and received recognition, so why…

At that moment, Hendrix emerged from the chancellor’s office with a heavy expression Beckett rarely

saw.

“Hendrix? What’s going on?”

“Good timing. You’re coming with me to Jonford!” said Hendrix..

“Jonford? Why the sudden trip?”

“To see Chris!”

After the lab’s inauguration, Christine had returned to Jonford with Olivia to continue her recovery.

Beckett stopped short. “You heard, too?”

Hendrix’s face was grim.

Beckett suggested, “Why not handle it over the phone? We don’t need to go in person.”

“It seems you haven’t grasped the gravity of this situation. She did this on purpose…” As Hendrix’s voice rose with anger, his phone suddenly rang. It was Christine calling.

He picked up immediately. His voice was cold and stem as he said, “Chris, don’t you think the college deserves an explanation?”

“Explanation?” Christine chuckled. “What explanation?

“You relinquished your rights to authorship and encouraged your students to credit their work to an independent lab. This is a blatant attempt to undermine the college’s interests!”

Christine laughed at this. She’d anticipated some backlash from the college but hadn’t expected Hendrix’s emotions to run so high.

Then again, this wasn’t just any journal; it was “Nature Biotechnology“, one of the world’s leading biology

+25 BONUS

Chapter 06-11

journals.

She realized it wasn’t that they hadn’t cared before–there just hadn’t been enough at stake. Now that the prize was substantial, they could no longer sit still.

Christine replied, “Hendrix, do you think you have any standing to question me?”

Hendrix fell silent.

“When Miranda and her friends were bullied, where was the faculty? Where was the administration? I don’t believe for a second that you were unaware of Sophie’s actions over the years, yet did you ever do anything about it?

“No. While you didn’t support it, you chose to stay silent. And silence, at its core, is a form of complicity.

“These are my students, and they’re still kids. From the moment they arrived, they faced harassment, and neither the department nor the administration defended them. Why was that?

u used

“Was it because I’m sickly and can’t jump up and knock some sense into you old relics? I recall you to say something when you were younger, something about all debts come due in life. Well, now it’s time for the college and the administration to pay up!”

Hendrix’s lips trembled with anger, and his whole body was shaking. “If you’re upset, we can sit down and talk. Is it necessary to make this a no–win situation?

“Giving up authorship–what does that gain you, aside from spite toward the college? These are your students; their success is yours as well. That’s your accomplishment!”

Christine replied, “I don’t need accomplishments nor rewards. I’ve had enough of both in my lifetime. But these students–their journey is just beginning. I’d give up my name, my health, anything, to fight for the “respect they deserve!”