She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 82

Realizing she'd been spotted, Abby's shoulders jolted. She looked mortified, but she finally stepped into the office. "Director Atherton, I am so sorry. The way I treated you earlier was just so..."

Dismissive.

Hulda knew exactly what Abby wanted to say, and she completely understood the sudden change in attitude. "It's fine. I get it."

Abby looked at her in shock, her eyes going a little red. "Director Atherton, I promise you, from now on, I will do absolutely everything in my power to assist you!"

Abby had always idolized competence, and right now, her admiration for Hulda bordered on sheer worship.

"Thank you," Hulda replied calmly.

Hulda's composed, slightly distant response didn't discourage Abby in the slightest. In fact, she found that unbothered, graceful demeanor incredibly cool.

This was exactly the kind of boss she wanted to work for!

When Abby just stood there staring, Hulda blinked, a little confused. "Was there something else?"

Abby snapped out of it, looking even more flustered than before, a deep flush creeping up her neck. "Um... Director Atherton... Are you really K-07?"

Hulda thought the assistant was still doubting her credentials, but before she could speak, Abby pulled out a dog-eared, heavily worn copy of the *Journal of Precision Measurement & Sensing Technology*.

"Could you please sign this? You're my idol! Your paper was the entire reason I went into this field! You've always been my guiding light!"

Guiding... light?

Hulda stared at her, stunned. She was perfectly capable of handling coldness or hostility, but having someone treat her like a revered idol was completely new territory.

The sheer earnestness of it gave her goosebumps. She had no idea how to react.

But looking at the pure, desperate anticipation shining in Abby's eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say no. Swallowing her awkwardness, she took a pen and carefully signed 'K-07, Hulda Atherton' on the cover of the journal.

Clutching the signed copy, Abby looked like she was about to scream with joy. She managed to hold it in, hugging the magazine to her chest like it was a sacred artifact.

"Is... is there anything else?" Hulda asked, feeling entirely out of her depth.

"Nope!" Abby shook her head vigorously. "If you need anything—anything at all—just let me know!"

"Alright." Hulda offered a stiff smile, gesturing toward the door. If the girl stayed any longer, Hulda felt like her heart might give out from the sheer intensity of it.

"Um... Director... Director Atherton..." Dr. Lynch looked incredibly nervous, shifting uncomfortably. "About the summary you sent out this morning... I have a few questions. Would you mind going over them with me? If you have the time?"

Hulda was eager to build good relationships with the research staff. She immediately closed her laptop and nodded for him to enter. "Of course. Come on in."

...

At dinnertime, Miles Jewell picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs, took one small bite, and put it back down.

Callie Yates was a great cook, and her ribs were delicious, but right now, he just desperately wanted the ones his mom used to make.

It felt like forever since he'd seen his mom or eaten her cooking.

The thought made his chest tighten with a strange, uncomfortable ache.

He looked over at the chair where Hulda usually sat. Sylvie Sinclair was sitting there instead.

For the first time, seeing Sylvie instead of his mom made him feel deeply sad.

"Dad... when is Mom coming back?"