"Come, sit down. I hear you're one of Wilfred's students? I know him well. His students are practically my own," Professor Cruz said with a warm smile the moment Karina sat down, catching her off guard. "You know Dr. Wilfred?" she blurted out, then immediately realized how silly the question sounded. Of course, they knew each other. How else could Wilfred have arranged for her to attend the lecture? Professor Cruz chuckled, unbothered by her slip. Instead, he found her straightforwardness rather refreshing.

As he looked at her, he let out a sigh, seemingly lost in thought. "Good, good... I had thought that kid might..." He trailed off, speaking more to himself than to Karina.

Karina didn't catch his last comment.

"I hear from Wilfred that you're here to discuss your paper?" Professor Cruz asked, steering the conversation back. "Did you bring it with you?"

"Yes, I did," Karina said quickly, pulling out her paper with care and handing it over.

Professor Cruz slipped on a pair of reading glasses and began reviewing it meticulously, making thoughtful "hmm" sounds as he read.

she said shyly, "It's my first paper, so it's

that, Professor Cruz glanced up, surprised. "What? Not at all. I

high praise from

said my paper wasn't

email from the Tree of Life Association had been filled with criticisms her topic didn't align with their values, her arguments were

removed his glasses with a scoff. "That's just how they are. Don't take their nonsense too seriously. For a first attempt, this is excellent." Hearing those

it can be published, Professor?" she asked

ask you what do you want to achieve with this paper?" he replied, catching

sharp gaze. It was as if he were

firm as it had been when she first made her decision. "I believe doctors should

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