Chapter 137

EP.137 Land of Opportunity, USA

My private jet was parked at the corner of the runway at Dallas International Airport.

The doctor who got off stretched her arms.

Then, with a distant look in her eyes, she muttered.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here…”

I, who had loosened my stiff body following her, asked.

“It’s been a while?”

“I used to live here with my husband.”

“I see…”

“Let’s move quickly. I’m tired.”

Tired? It must be hard thinking about her husband.

It’s pure love. I want to turn that heart towards me quickly.

“Understood.”

After completing the immigration procedures, we headed straight to a luxury hotel in Houston.

The doctor felt burdened that I was covering all the expenses.

A completely different reaction from when she demanded hotel fees on Ganghwa Island.

It was evidence that the power dynamic had completely reversed.

But as I thought last time, I shouldn’t rush.

Step by step, I’ll strategize and conquer.

In the doctor’s heart, there’s a solid statue of her husband, Parsons.

Its height must be higher than a skyscraper touching the sky.

I shouldn’t try to break it from the start.

First, I need to place my statue next to his and gradually increase its size.

By the way, coming here alone with her felt like we were on a trip.

I feel strangely excited. Why does it remind me of my first time with Sehwa?

I asked the doctor as we rode the elevator together.

“Will you rest well today? Shall we have a simple meal and rest?”

“Let’s do that. How about we meet in the lobby after unpacking?”

“Yes.”

After getting off the elevator, we each went to our rooms to unpack, and funnily enough, we opened our doors almost simultaneously.

The doctor, who met my eyes, seemed embarrassed and let out a forced laugh.

“You didn’t time it so you’d come out when I did, did you…?”

Honestly, I could have if I wanted to.

Just focus my hearing and come out when she does.

But this was really a coincidence.

Fate… yes, this is fate. I wish you’d think so too.

“Do I have that kind of ability?”

“You probably do. You’re basically sneaky.”

Even though it’s clearly a joke, I feel oddly guilty.

How did she know? This perceptive woman…

I forced a smile and scratched my head.

“What does being sneaky have to do with this…?”

“Just kidding. Shall we go down?”

“You’ve been joking a lot lately, haven’t you?”

The doctor didn’t answer and quickened her pace.

It’s cute how she acts like this whenever she’s embarrassed.

It doesn’t match her usual demeanor, but it suits her and feels fresh.

I’ll be seeing this often soon.

We entered the restaurant and were guided to our seats by the waiter.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Please order for me, Doctor.”

“Why? Do you have English anxiety?”

“Another joke, right?”

“Yes.”

I smiled warmly and looked at the doctor.

“It’s nice. The old you was stiff and hard to approach.”

“Was I?”

“Yes. Honestly, you were scary.”

“Not anymore?”

“You’ve become much more comfortable. Shall we order?”

The doctor, who answered with a smile, called the waiter.

After ordering various dishes, we chatted quietly.

Mostly about the seminar.

“Actually, there’s something I couldn’t say in the lab… there are quite a few idiots there. I doubt your intellectual curiosity will be satisfied.”

“The broader the knowledge, the better. Hearing various opinions broadens one’s perspective.”

“That’s a good attitude… but honestly? You’re much smarter than those empty-headed guys there. I guarantee there’s nothing to learn from them.”

“That much…? I thought only famous people were there.”

“Famous and smart are two different things.”

“Even so, they must be the best in future science…”

“They’re not as good as me… no, as us.”

I arched my mouth.

Seeing my doubtful expression, the doctor continued.

“There are plenty of stubborn people with no skills. Those people are ruining future science. You know the saying, right? It’s better to not know than to know poorly. Those people fit the ‘know poorly’ category.”

“Aren’t you being too harsh…? They’re your colleagues…”

“I’m saying this so you don’t get your hopes up. And… try to endure even if something makes you angry. They’re ignorant but famous, so if word gets out, it’ll be a big deal. Just think of it as going to get polymers.”

If you get angry, just kill them secretly.

“Well… understood.”

**

The next day, we took a simple walk.

Breathing in the warm Texas air from the morning breeze, I asked.

“Shall we do some sightseeing after breakfast?”

“No, I want to rest until evening. You should rest too. You’ll be exhausted after going there.”

This level seems almost like she has some resentment…

Seeing my bewildered expression, the doctor smiled and patted my back.

“Let’s meet in the lobby at 7 PM. Got it?”

“Understood.”

No choice. What a shame.

I obediently answered and went back to my room to arrange a limousine.

From what the doctor said, the seminar seemed like a gathering of old fogeys.

Then, I can’t take a taxi and look bad.

Our Dr. Jennifer Cash must be perfect. She can’t be a laughingstock.

That evening. Waiting for the doctor in the lobby, I was startled when she came out.

She was wearing a white and black dress that was incredibly alluring.

Her diamond-shaped pelvis, deep neckline revealing her cleavage, and one-shoulder design made me swallow hard.

Her only accessory was a bracelet.

It might seem plain, but it completed the outfit.

With makeup added, she looked like a goddess of beauty.

The faintly visible tendons from her collarbone to her neck were also very attractive.

Her hair slightly covering her right eye… there’s nothing I don’t like.

Especially the slightly protruding upper abdomen and the groove in the middle.

I wanted to lick it so badly I could go crazy.

As I stared with my mouth open, the doctor giggled and hit my arm with her purse.

“Stop staring like that.”

“Ah… sorry…”

“Close your mouth. You’re drooling.”

I unconsciously brought my hand to my chin and wiped it.

The doctor burst out laughing at that action.

After laughing for a while, she waved her hand.

“You didn’t drool. You’re really funny lately, you know?”

“I… can’t help it.”

The doctor chuckled at my compliment.

She doesn’t seem to mind.

“Sehwa would be mad, wouldn’t she?”

“Sehwa’s not here now… but can’t you cover up here?”

I made a zipping motion in the air in front of my chest.

The doctor was taken aback.

“Don’t mind it?”

“How can I not mind it now?”

“Just get a taxi. Before you get in trouble.”

I don’t want others to see your chest!

Hiding my disappointment, I pointed behind my shoulder.

“I arranged a limousine.”

“What…? It’s only a 15-minute drive…?”

“Just to set the mood. Let’s get in.”

“You’re really something… fine… let’s go.”

The seminar was held at a mansion.

A large mansion 10 minutes from the hotel. It seemed like a place opened by a tycoon.

Getting out of the limousine, I was surprised by the number of people outside.

It must be crowded inside, right? Are all the world’s renowned scholars gathered here?

As I rolled my eyes, the doctor came beside me and said.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Ah, yes… but there are young people here too…?”

“Of course. Around 30 years old.”

“30 years old…? Is that young?”

“By my standards, 30 is young, right? Let’s go in. I want a cocktail.”

Nodding, I glanced at the doctor.

I want to link arms at least until we enter… I should ask.

“Can I link arms?”

“No.”

It’s a no.

“Yes. I won’t mess around.”

I looked forward with a resigned gaze.

Then, the doctor, for some reason, linked arms with me.

I was so surprised I shuddered.

“What are you…”

“Just for show. Only until we enter, okay?”

She’s not linking arms because she likes me as a man.

It’s just for show.

But so what? Any physical contact is important.

“Understood.”

**

Thanks to the doctor’s invitation, I entered the mansion safely, ordered a simple cocktail, and observed the atmosphere.

The mansion was very busy.

All sorts of people leading the future science of the Earth were mingling.

As I quietly observed the scholars’ faces, the doctor approached me.

“How is it?”

“I’m not sure yet? Is the opening not until later?”

“There’s no formal opening. It’s just a place for free discussion. And to mingle.”

“Without a central focus, how do you discuss and mingle?”

“Everyone here knows each other well.”

“Ah…”

This is why elite groups are problematic. They just stick to themselves.

When I conquer the Earth, I’ll be very fair in cutting off their heads.

“It’s more like a social gathering than a seminar.”

“Exactly. I’ll start networking now. I’ll call you if I find a polymer seller, so stay here.”

“Can’t I come with you?”

“I think it’s better if I approach them first.”

You’ve been making me feel left out since earlier… I should just take you like Boyeong…

“Alright…”

“I’ll be back.”

The doctor, with an awkward smile full of apology, walked away from me.

She was the center of attention.

At first, I thought they were captivated by her beauty, but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t that.

The women looking at the doctor tilted their heads as if seeing someone they hadn’t seen in a long time.

They were clearly comparing her face to the Isabel Parsons they knew.

‘She said she doesn’t show her face much under that name… it makes sense.’

Some guys were sneaking glances at the doctor’s chest.

Death penalty, you too… that guy too.

As I was adding them to my hit list, a middle-aged man in his 40s approached and asked.

“I haven’t seen you before. You’re not a waiter… are you an assistant?”

“Yes, I’m Alex Song.”

“Whose assistant?”

This rude guy… if I told you my name, you should tell me yours.

You’re on the death penalty list too.

“Just… an assistant to a nanotube and polymer expert.”

“Don’t want to reveal your master’s name, huh? By the way, do you know much about nanotubes?”

“I think I know a lot about arrays. I’m researching array replacement.”

The middle-aged man scoffed at that.

“Useless research. Nanotubes are useless without the standard array.”

I immediately understood why the doctor had criticized them yesterday.

People who don’t care about others’ experiences and only believe what they’ve personally experienced.

People who judge others with their pathetic standards.

They don’t even think they’re wrong.

There’s a mountain of rebuttals, but these guys don’t care to listen.

Arguing is a waste of time. It’s better to just ignore them.

“I see. Understood.”

“I don’t know who you’re learning from, but you’re learning wrong.”

“Understood.”

“Young people are so arrogant. But you know what? Everyone here was called a genius when they were young.”

What the hell do you want?

You’re top priority for the death penalty. I’ll kill you as soon as I get back.

I endured the middle-aged man’s bragging for a while.

As it became harder to ignore, I started getting annoyed when the doctor approached quickly from a distance and stopped nearby.

She was smiling playfully, observing my expression.

As if saying, ‘See? What I said was accurate, right?’

I forced a bitter smile and pointed behind the middle-aged man.

“That person seems to be looking for you.”

“…So the ultimate purpose of nanotubes is… huh? Who?”

The middle-aged man turned around mid-sentence.

Taking advantage of the moment, I quickly blended into the crowd and approached the doctor.

Seeing my slumped shoulders, the doctor giggled and asked.

“You’re really quick. Already tired? I told you.”

“Well… maybe it’s just that person.”

“More than half here are worse than him, not better. They used to be pure. But after tasting power here, they changed. Just don’t expect much.”

“Haah…”

I let out a deep sigh.

Seeing the disappointment on my face, the doctor laughed quietly.

“It’s your fault for not believing me.”

“I really need comfort now… stop teasing me. Did you find a seller?”

“Yes. Found one. Shall we go slowly?”

Her tone clearly shows she’s enjoying this situation.

I relaxed my neck and made a dejected face.

“Let’s go quickly…”

“You should listen to me from now on? If you don’t want to regret like today.”

No, you should listen to me.

You should do whatever I say.

“Stop teasing me…”

“Alright. Let’s go quickly.”

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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