The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200

In muttered to herself. Was she doing here? Did she really just walk out of the lab?

She stared at the lab door, still slightly apar, then glanced at the blindingly shiny brass plaque on the wall outside. It read (Redvale University Quantum Optics Key Laboratory)

Below that, in smaller letters, was a warning: [National Key Laboratory. Unauthorized personnel not allowed inside]

Inis had applied to join the lab the moment she arrived at Redvale University, but every single time, she got rejected Every time, the answer was the same: You haven’t finished your undergrad classes You don’t have the basics

She wasn’t about to take that lying down. She went straight to the admissions officer, who glanced at her transcript and said something Iris would never forget

Come back when your grades in your major courses are in the top 10%, the officer told her.

That was just the teacher brushing me off. Iris thought. Even if I made it into the top 10%, all it meant was I could apply. nothing guaranteed.

Later, she even had her family pull some strings to see if they could help her out. The response from the lab was way more polite than the school’s.

Instead of flat–out rejecting her, they gave her a list of requirements, out of respect for the Rowan family.

The list said:

At least two papers published in top scientific journals

At least one national–level research project on your resume.

At least one recommendation letter from a respected professor in the field.

Your grades in your major courses need to be in the top 5%.

You have to pass a written exam and an interview organized by the lab. The written test covers six courses, including quantum mechanics, optics, and mathematical physics, and it’s as tough as the grad school entrance exam.

And at the very bottom, in tiny print, it said: [These are just the minimum requirements. Meeting them doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in.]

When Iris saw that list, her hands were shaking with anger.

Two papers published in top scientific journals? I spent half a day just figuring out what SCI even was.

‘A national–level research project?! can’t even get through the lab door. How am I supposed to get involved in a project

A written exam covering six courses, as tough as the grad school entrance exam?

I’m only a freshman! Some of those classes haven’t even started yet, and they expect me to take a test meant for grad

students?

She was so pissed off that she crumpled up the list and tossed it in the trash. But then she fished it out, smoothed it out unt shipped it into her notebook.

14

In the chorught the rou!

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pau word is

anted those people who rumed her down

She told herself. One day kuke them see me in a while new inghit

It wasn’t that she was crazy about physars Star just couldn’t let go

Bart now, Natale was actually walking out of the Jab

She was just a freshman, just like Ins, and had only been her major classes for a few works

Iris seriously doubted that Natalie could meet any of those requirements, other than maybe bring in the top of hire

major

We’re both just freshmen, so why is it that I just got rejected, while she’s already walking out of a lab I can’t more apply to Iris furned

A

And there was a PhD student walking alongside her, showing her so much respect

Why is it so unfair? We’re both just freshmen, so why does she get all the opportunities while I get nothing‘ Ins thought bitterly,

She lingered, unable to bring herself to leave just yet

she hovered at the stairwell corner peering through the glass window in the door, keeping a close eye on everything happening in the hallway

Natalie’s figure had already disappeared at the end of the hallway, but Mike was still standing at the lab door He glanced down at his phone, then turned and reached for the door to head back inside.

Hey there!” Iris called out.

She stepped out of the stairwell with a casual smile, not too warm, not too cold, as if she just happened to be passing by

Hugging her books, she walked over and stopped in front of Mike, tilting her head slightly, her tone curious

Hi, are you part of this lab?” she asked.

Mike pushed up his glasses, gave her a polite but distant look, and nodded.

Yes, is there something you need?” he asked.

‘Oh, it’s nothing, I just wanted to ask… Iris said, trailing off.

She hesitated for a moment, then flashed a smile, as if she’d finally made up her mind.

“The girl who just walked out, that’s my friend, Natalie Moore. You know her, right? Ins asked

Mike nodded again, this time with a look of recognition in his eyes.

You two are friends?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s right. Natalie is super talented. She’s always been my role model! Iris said sounding genuinely admining

Her tone was totally natural, and she looked honestly impressed.

2/4

But rally urge Iris arbdied with a height wle

She mentioned she was applying to this lab. but I didn’t think she’d get in this quickly,” “Inis said, sounding genuinely surprised

Did she apply by herself or did someone put in a good word for her? I was just about so call her, but she was already gone she added

Mike didn’t think much of it

He was in a pretty good mood today. The issue that had been giving the project team headaches for a whole week finally got sorted out, and he was planning to ask Natalie a few more things this afternoon.`

He was riding that “life is good vibe

When Iris mentioned she was friends with Natalie, his attitude got noticeably friendlier.

‘She didn’t apply, Mike said, sounding genuinely impressed Leonardo brought ster in himself.”

‘You know Leonardo, right? He’s the dean of the physics department and also runs our lab

He personally brought her over and told us to look after her,” he said

Iris’s smile froze for a split second

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