As for Winnie, she naturally didn’t stay idle. Instead, she got in touch with her friend from the Livingsfill Physics Research Center to get a better picture of the situation.
Unfortunately, her friend was bogged down by recent problems of her own. Therefore, Winnie could barely get in contact with her, and even when she did, they didn’t get to talk in-depth.
Just like that, Xavier finally received some good news on the fifth day—a member of the Livingsfill Physics Research Center was in the process of resigning. She wasn’t a citizen of Yartran and had handed in her resignation letter, which was awaiting approval.
With her departure, a vacancy was not only created, but the project she was working on also needed an immediate replacement. The situation consequently created the perfect opportunity for Andrew’s girlfriend.
Nonetheless, replacing the leaving staff was easier said than done. Xavier’s classmate had mentioned that Andrew’s girlfriend still needed to take a written test, go for an interview, and sit through a final evaluation before she could be accepted by the research center.
To obtain such an opportunity was so difficult that even Wilhelm had failed to do so previously.
Thus, when Xavier and Winnie went to see him to discuss the matter, Wilhelm was naturally surprised by the development.
He hadn’t expected Xavier to move so quickly and to be so lucky as to have one of the researchers at the research center resign.
Still, the matter wasn’t as easy as Xavier imagined it would be.
Firstly, they had to inform Andrew’s girlfriend to make the necessary preparations. Secondly, they had to make an appointment with the research center, which was where the problem lay.
The physicist who had been liaising with Xavier’s classmate passed away all of a sudden.
As a result, everything they had discussed previously was delayed, on top of the fact that they had lost the opportunity to even present their proposal.
Due to that, Xavier fell into a long silence.
Not only were all his earlier efforts wasted, but he only had half the amount of time previously available.
At the sight of the gloomy Xavier, Winnie comforted him, “This always happens when we collaborate with others. Relationships are fraught with uncertainty, and no one can predict when an accident will occur. Therefore, depending on ourselves is still the most reliable choice.”
“I know, but I don’t want to admit defeat just like that.” Xavier’s soul was still brimming with defiance. “I’m sure there’s another way.”
With that, he picked up his jacket and prepared to head out.
However, Winnie held him back. “You should get some rest. Have you forgotten about my friend? I’ll get in touch with her.”
Before Xavier had a chance to protest, Winnie had already given her friend a call.
When the call finally connected after ringing a long time, Winnie got straight to the point.
“Lisanne, there’s something important I have to talk to you in person about. Are you free? I would like to meet you… Yes, the earlier the better… All right, I’ll see you soon.”
Upon ending the call, Winnie waved her phone at Xavier’s face. “Done. I’ve already made an appointment with my friend. Since you must be exhausted after the past few days, you should rest at home and wait for my updates.”
Upon hearing the story, Lisanne’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh my God! Do you know the researcher who has tendered her resignation is actually me?”
“You?” It was Winnie’s turn to be shocked.
“That’s right.” Lisanne let out a sigh. “When we were on the phone a few days ago, didn’t I tell you that I was just swamped with work? My resignation was the real reason I was so busy then.”
Winnie was puzzled by what she heard. “Didn’t you say that you enjoy the working environment at the research center? Why did you suddenly quit? What happened?”
“I do.” Lisanne nodded before elaborating with a frown. “Previously, when my research reached a crucial stage, I applied for access rights to the main database. However, it wasn’t approved because I’m not a citizen of Yartran. They subsequently requested that either I change my nationality or my research would be suspended.
“This was where I felt they had gone overboard, as there’s no way I would give up my Chanaean citizenship. After all, when I first chose to come to Yartran for further studies, my objective back then was to go back and serve my country one day. Sadly, they are now forcing me to change my citizenship.
“In a fit of rage, I handed in my resignation, figuring that it was time I return to my country. Unfortunately, they refused to release me, causing me to quarrel with them. That’s the reason why I’m not eating or sleeping properly, as just thinking about the matter alone riles me up. If the woman you’re talking about can take my place, it would be perfect because I would be able to return to Chanaea.”
“So that’s what happened.” Winnie couldn’t help but frown. “Truth be told, such methods of talent retention are pretty common. However, now that Professor Houlter—who was supposedly responsible for the matter—has died suddenly, it seems the issue of the replacement has been simply neglected.”
Lisanne heaved another sigh. “That’s right. He truly is gone.”
Out of the blue, a thought struck her.
“Winnie, there’s actually someone in the research center who can’t wait for me to leave. Therefore, I can probably work with him this time…”
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