Fall in love in a weekwe get by

And it would seem, what does it matter to me? And for Dr. Norwood, although he himself does not know it, something completely different is vitally important now. But for some reason I felt so angry! I remembered something similar. Let me not be kept at work by force or deceit, as, judging by Sabella, happened to Norwood. But how many cases have there been when they brazenly appropriated what I achieved with great difficulty! “Freya, dear, of course, ?nders is your client, we all understand that without your excellent persuasiveness he would not have agreed to the interview. But you also understand, because the material will go to Lizzie’s section! We have a contract, that’s her topic.” Or, even more scathingly: “Freya, dear, we always paid you twenty percent of the advertising that you brought, but this time Fulman had to unfasten half, otherwise he would not agree…” I still don’t know what exactly I didn’t agree to the owner of the lousy newspaper for which I was writing at the time didn’t listen, she just left. She slammed the door. And I never regretted it. But even then, even in much more reputable and respectable publications, I encountered such situations more than once. Those who like to appropriate other people's work are found everywhere, and a luxurious office is not at all a guarantee of the honesty of the one who sits in it. More often than not, it’s even the other way around.

“You’re nervous,” Charlotte said distantly. – This is good. The living must show emotions. “And she suddenly added: “Meeting Sabella Norwood was one of hundreds of possibilities.” You were in the right place at the right time. Now it may become easier, or maybe more difficult.

“How do you know about Sabella, you weren’t there?”

– I told. Now I know a lot. Also, I can hear your thoughts.

“This is where we should have started,” I almost snorted out loud. I would have said right away: I see your reflection in the coffee pot.

– In the coffee pot?

Yes, she not only hears my thoughts, she eavesdrops on them in the most brazen way!

“This is from a book. About one great detective who also knew a lot thanks to his powers of observation and ability to think logically. She probably doesn't exist in your world. Or Charlotte didn't read it. And if you know a lot, tell me better, why can’t Norwood leave the Academy? What kind of contract is this, a slave contract or what? Any contract can be broken if the work goes wrong!”

– This is not my secret, and it has not yet become yours, but everything can change. Wait.

“What to expect? – then another thought struck me, and I asked: “Why do I need to be afraid of Maskelyne’s exposure, but it turns out I can tell everything to Sabella?” Maybe the professor has the right to find out? After all, it directly concerns him!”

– I don’t know the future. No one knows. But the probabilities are visible. Sabella Norwood is the best chance. Director Maskelyne is the worst. Dougal Norwood,” Charlotte fell silent, as if right now she was peering into these incredible probabilities of hers. – Difficult. This truth can turn into a win-win opportunity, or maybe death for the two of you. It's up to you to decide.

Yeah, wow, Russian roulette.

“I’ll wait,” I decided. And I went to the department – I’ve been walking for too long already. It is unlikely that Dr. Norwood will appreciate that nothing is ready for the fourth pair, and his assistant has gone to get some fresh air. Whoever this assistant actually is.

***

I opened the portal to Sabella while in a strange, twilight state. Norwood didn't return after the third class, and he had to hastily sort out his schedule, check for urgent mail, reschedule senior counseling sessions, and even accept a few debtors who came to retake tests. Luckily, Charlotte showed up again. Just for a few minutes, just to say:

– Take the forms in the left cabinet, second shelf from the bottom. Make sure that they don’t cheat or talk over each other. Don't be so nervous.

“But where is the professor?!” – I couldn’t stand it. “I should have returned a long time ago!”

“Not everything in the scientific world is done quickly,” Charlotte explained indifferently. “But he didn’t even report!”

– For what? He knows he can rely on Miss Blair. Without him, nothing here will collapse. The students are not the most important part of his job. The Academy needs other things that Dr. Norwood can provide.

Well, yes, I realized, patents. Publications, conferences, consultations, participation in some commissions, defenses, examinations – what else is happening in the scientific world? The prestige of the Academy, which Maskelyne cares so much about. It is clear that for the sake of this, fussing with students can and should be transferred to the assistant.

But I was still nervous. There is less and less time left, Norwood hardly looks at me, and if he spends another half of this time somewhere else…

– Sally, you have no face! – I heard from Sabella instead of a greeting. – What's happened?!