Viya's POV
Miranda strode in wearing a crisp white pantsuit, leading a group of about fifteen people with an unmistakable air of self-importance.
I frowned as she approached Ethan, saying, "Mr. Shaw, it's an honor to meet you. Everyone on our team was thrilled to hear you'd be heading the Blackwood side. We're all eager to learn from you."
"You're too kind," Ethan nodded, clearly struggling to place her in the research community. "And you are...?"
"I'm Miranda Wilde, the project director for our team."
After introducing herself, she turned to me with a practiced smile. "Your Dr. Lockwood and I are old acquaintances."
Ethan looked surprised. "Is that so?"
I sat back down without bothering to greet her. "Hardly acquaintances at all."
My dismissive attitude made it o
