Chapter 168: Cassius, Must You Always Keep Things Even?
Archibald stood not far away.
‘Mr. Cassius, Professor Gresham is here.”
His words interrupted Cassius’s thoughts.
And also cut short the conversation between Cassius and Shawn.
Shawn was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered.
“Oh, right. Brian said he’d help contact Professor Gresham, but you went ahead and invited him here instead?”
Cassius didn’t respond, simply gesturing for Archibald to fetch Gemma.
Gemma had just finished her dance, a thin layer of sweat on her skin.
She was about to go back and change when Archibald approached her.
“Professor Gresham? That Professor Gresham?”
Archibald nodded. “Yes, Ms. Kelestine. Professor Gresham has a collaboration with Mr. Cassius, so he’s here to visit.”
“Mr. Cassius mentioned that you’re knowledgeable in medicine and hopes you can join to ensure Professor Gresham doesn’t make any unfounded claims.”
“Oh, if it’s inconvenient for you, that’s fine.”
‘Convenient, very convenient!” Gemma quickly ran back, changed into fresh clothes at lightning speed, and hurried out.
The bouquet of roses she had brought back earlier was left forgotten at the entrance of the villa.
Gemma took a moment to calm herself, at least steadying her breathing, before knocking and entering.
Compared to a few years ago, Gresham looked much older.
But he still favored black sportswear and wore black–framed glasses.
When he smiled, he exuded a gentle, scholarly warmth.
Kind and approachable.
“Hello, Professor Gresham.”
She greeted him softly and was about to sit down next to Cassius.
She planned to listen to their collaboration first, offer some medical insights, and then ask Gresham a few questions afterward.
Professor Gresham studied her.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
‘I’ve seen you before.”
Gemma was stunned, but quickly explained.
“I attended your lectures back in university.”
Gresham shook his head.
“Not in class. In a photo.”
It seemed that after saying this, his memory locked onto something.
“Yes, it was a photo your teacher gave me. He said you were his most outstanding student and that, given time, your achievements would surpass
his.”
Gemma was genuinely surprised.
After all, in her view, Emerson and Gresham had many disagreements, often arguing, so in private, they probably didn’t get along.
Plus, she had heard from some old–timers that Emerson had suddenly disappeared after a heated argument with Gresham.
She had even suspected Gresham of kidnapping or being involved in foul play.
But now, seeing Gresham’s demeanor, it seemed like he and her teacher had been close friends.
Of course, this could also be a facade.
She glanced at Cassius.
Cassius nodded at her, signaling her to speak freely.
Though she was worried about disrupting Cassius’s business negotiations, the conversation had reached this point, so she had to respond.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my teacher. Do you have any news of him, Professor Gresham?”
At this.
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Chapter 168: Cassius, Must You Always Keep Things Even?
Gresham’s expression turned sorrowful.
“Even after all this time, our medical association hasn’t found any trace of him.”
“You asking me this suggests he really hasn’t contacted anyone.”
After a pause.
He let out a long sigh.
“If I had to guess, he might be connected to Esapring Island.”
Esapring Island?
This was beyond her knowledge.
What was wrong with that island?
And after Gresham’s words, she felt the temperature around Cassius drop significantly.
She grew nervous too.
Unsure of what to ask.
Fortunately, Gresham didn’t notice her discomfort and instead began recounting past events in a gentle tone.
“Your teacher and I were close friends, even though we focused on different fields.”
“But in truth, we admired each other deeply. Sometimes we’d argue, but we’d make up by the next day.”
“Recently, he discovered something unusual.”
“Something related to vaccines.”
As he spoke, he shook his head, pressing his fingers against his temples.
“While conducting experiments on mice, he accidentally discovered that a certain program could control them.”
“Simply put, when certain computer programs were activated, the mice would undergo different changes.”
“Some would suffer heart attacks, others brain hemorrhages, and some would experience temporary paralysis…”
“However, the outcome for all these mice was the same…”
He glanced at Cassius, who remained expressionless, then at Gemma, who looked both curious and confused, before continuing slowly.
“Death!”
“Every single one of those mice died.”
“The only difference was the manner of death and the suffering they endured before it.”
Gemma was stunned.
She knew about this.
Emerson had mentioned it to her before.
And the recent hospital hacking incident had proven that this phenomenon was real.
Over the past two years, many financial tycoons had suddenly died of heart attacks or other acute illnesses.
Autopsies revealed nothing unusual.
But Emerson, using his lab findings, had conducted tissue examinations on the corpses.
He discovered something amiss.
Unfortunately, not long after telling her this, Emerson had disappeared.
“Professor Gresham, are you saying that my teacher was targeted because of this and might now be…”
Gresham raised a hand, signaling her to stop.
Some things weren’t as simple as one plus one equals two.
The chances of Emerson being alive were slim, but it could also be a smokescreen by the enemy.
“Ive been searching for traces of him all this time.”
“Young lady, you’re someone we’ve placed great hope in. Please, don’t let on that you know about the vaccine issue.”
“You’re still young, with limitless potential. You must protect yourself.”
“As for your teacher, trust me, I’ll do everything in my power.”
Gemma wanted to say that even if he did everything in his power, her teacher still hadn’t been found.
But she couldn’t be so rude.
She could only express it tactfully.
Professor Gresham, you have so much work…”
Ive been traveling everywhere, treating patients and giving lectures, all to gather information about your teacher.”
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Chapter 168: Cassius, Must You Always Keep Things Even?
Gemma: “…” Alright, she shouldn’t have said more.
And even though Professor Gresham had said all this, she still had her doubts.
After all, her teacher had often complained to her that Gresham wasn’t a good person.
So, she would still investigate her teacher’s whereabouts herself.
She only trusted herself.
Next, Cassius briefly discussed a few collaboration ideas with Gresham.
They were all quite simple.
She didn’t even need to provide “technical support.”
After Gresham left, Gemma asked.
“Did you know I was looking for him? Was his visit today to answer my questions?”
This sounded a bit self–centered.
But someone like Cassius never engaged in small deals.
Those collaboration ideas were all under ten million, hardly worth his personal involvement.
“Really, you didn’t have to balance things out with me so quickly, did you?”
Cassius frowned, “???”
