Chapter 418
Caleb Watson agreed without hesitation.
He ended the call, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.
Jude Granger scratched his head, his eyes filled with confusion.
Inside an off-campus chain coffee shop—
The constant ping of delivery orders created a noisy atmosphere.
Sophia Sullivan and Hannah Morse pushed the door open. Caleb was already waiting in a corner.
"Hey." Hannah waved first.
Caleb immediately stood up, looking slightly nervous. "What would you like to drink? My treat."
Neither of them refused.
Hannah Morse: "Iced shaken lemon tea, no ice, less sugar."
Sophia Sullivan: "Large iced Americano, no sugar."
"Okay."
Caleb lowered his head to place the order on his phone.
He didn't pay directly. Instead, he opened a discount app to claim a coupon.
Returning to the payment page, the total price was instantly halved.
He discreetly observed the reactions of the two people across from him.
Sophia and Hannah remained expressionless, showing no sign of surprise.
Hannah even enthusiastically shared, "Next time, try the promotions on the bank app. They often have half-price coupons."
Clearly an old hand at this.
"Okay." Caleb nodded, his slight discomfort immediately vanishing.
While waiting for the drinks, Sophia spoke. "How have you been these past few days?"
Caleb nodded. "Pretty much as expected. I just didn't think the school would act so quickly."
Hannah snorted lightly. "With this much public pressure, how could they dare to delay? The golden window for crisis PR is only a few hours."
Sophia continued, "Have you found a new advisor yet?"
Caleb smiled wryly. He was about to answer when the order pickup alert sounded.
"One moment."
He stood up and went to the counter to retrieve the drinks.
Hannah nudged Sophia's arm, lowering her voice. "What if he's already found another lab?"
Sophia: "That would be fine too."
"But..."
"We should respect his choice."
"Right." Hannah sighed softly.
Caleb returned to the seat and handed the drinks to them.
Sophia & Hannah: "Thank you."
He sat back down. "I haven't found a new advisor yet."
Hannah's eyes lit up.
Sophia: "Would you like to come to Professor Watson's lab?"
Caleb was stunned, speechless for a moment.
"If you have other plans, just forget I asked."
Caleb took a deep breath. "Was this Professor Watson's idea?"
"Yes, she returns tomorrow morning. If you're willing, we can handle the paperwork in the afternoon."
"Why would Professor Watson..." Caleb found it hard to believe.
Sophia smiled. "Why wouldn't she? No professor dislikes excellent students."
"But no professor likes trouble either."
"Professor Watson is different. She only worries her students aren't excellent enough."
Hannah couldn't help interjecting impatiently. "Why hesitate? Professor Watson is much better than that Victoria Lowell!"
"It's not that I'm unsatisfied... It's just so sudden..." He couldn't believe such good fortune had fallen upon him.
Hannah: "So that's a yes?"
Caleb asked uncertainly, "Is it really okay?"
Sophia nodded. "Really. My teacher contacted me after seeing the news. She's returning early specifically for you."
Eleanor Watson's exact words were: This kid has had it tough. I want to help him.
Caleb's eyes reddened. "...I'm willing. Thank the Professor for me."
"Tomorrow afternoon, the Professor invites you to dinner at her home."
"Is that... appropriate?" Caleb felt somewhat flustered.
Victoria Lowell had also taken him to meals, but always at restaurants.
Going to her home was only to pick up packages or clean.
These chores only stopped once he could write papers.
Hannah laughed. "Why wouldn't it be? Marcus and I go often. Auntie's braised pork is especially delicious!"
Caleb: "...Okay."
Sophia: "The Professor's idea is for you to first focus on completing your thesis to ensure you graduate smoothly in June. We can discuss pursuing a Ph.D. afterwards."
"Although she said she wouldn't take master's students, direct advancement is an exception. Transferring to her name, a Ph.D. would count as direct advancement."
"If you don't wish to continue your studies, she supports your decision too."
Eleanor Watson had considered every possibility for him.
"...Thank the Professor." His voice choked up.
"One more thing," Sophia continued. "I read your previously published papers, including those plagiarized by Victoria Lowell. I discovered one fact—"
Caleb: "?"
"You are exceptionally talented."
A rural child with no background, testing into MIT solely on academic merit.
Independently publishing papers, creating research projects autonomously, even managing an entire lab within just two or three years.
It was like becoming a martial arts master through self-study, without a master's guidance.
Besides hard work, it required immense innate talent.
To self-educate and excel under Victoria Lowell's neglect.
There's a saying in academia: Effort determines the floor, talent determines the ceiling.
Caleb looked puzzled, unsure why she was saying this.
Sophia suddenly became serious. "So, Caleb Watson, would you be willing to join the Boundless Lab?"
Caleb was completely stunned.
He even doubted his hearing.
Hannah watched him nervously.
Sophia waited for his answer.
After a long silence, Caleb took a deep breath. "But our research focuses are different."
"Yet both fall within the scope of bioinformatics."
"You've read my papers. You know I lean more towards genetics."
"I know. Since its founding, the Boundless Lab has been positioned as a comprehensive biology laboratory."
What does comprehensive mean?
It means inclusivity. Interdisciplinary. Embracing all streams.