Although Dr. Newton could be considered a newcomer in the workplace, she was still able to understand Dr. Mobius' concerns. In order to reassure her, she gently placed a hand over her chest and promised, "Please rest assured, Dr. Mobius. I will do my utmost to safeguard the funding of the Biology Research Division. It will not affect your research. After all, we are all striving to save the world."
Dr. Newton's words were sincere. If, during future budget allocations, the upper management attempted to use the engineering department as a pretext to cut the biology division's budget, she would definitely speak up for Dr. Mobius.
In any case, if her own budget were reduced, her workload would decrease as well. You get paid according to the amount of work you do—that was perfectly reasonable.
And as for saving the world, Dr. Newton truly meant it. If she were to hinder Dr. Mobius' research, that would be a grave sin indeed.
Besides, Newton still remembered how, in the past, she had interfered with Vill-V's work and had been ruthlessly tied by Vill-V to an apple tree that automatically dropped apples—left there for an entire night.
Newton had no desire to anger Dr. Mobius. After all, according to the rumors circulating within MOTH, Dr. Mobius was capable of doing things far more twisted than Vill-V.
A trace of surprise flashed through Mobius' eyes. She had not expected Dr. Newton to say something so... provocative.
Safeguard the Biology Research Division's funding? What did that mean? Did she intend to control all of the biology division's funding? To speak such arrogant words in front of her—was she not afraid of biting her own tongue?
As for Dr. Newton genuinely wanting to protect the biology division?
Given Newton's current status within MOTH—her meteoric rise driven purely by research value without interference from certain people—who would believe that?
Mobius' brows knit slightly as she tried to decipher Newton's true intentions. The last person this difficult to understand had been Vill-V, a genius trickster.
Would someone promoted by the upper management specifically to suppress her truly help her so easily?
Could someone who had climbed to the position of minister fail to grasp even the most basic political stance?
The previous engineering minister who had been forced into suicide was a cautionary example. Anyone who knew even a little would understand the consequences of being discarded after crossing the river. Whether you were a minister or a factory director, you would be eliminated all the same.
Any normal person could see that it was a warning to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. Could Dr. Newton not see it?
If she truly was a maverick, deliberately provoking the upper management at such a sensitive moment, then Mobius would be willing to respect such a rebellious backbone. Before the upper management dispatched assassins to eliminate her, Mobius would even be willing to shield her—provided that she truly was.
Mobius coughed lightly and said, "Dr. Newton... the people behind you... did they not explain their intentions clearly?"
In truth, that was indeed the case. Because her promotion had been far too rushed, the upper management figures who had secretly elevated Dr. Newton had not yet finalized any agreements with her. Or rather, they were still competing among themselves over who would claim her allegiance. There were quite a few high-ranking figures who had contributed to her promotion.
What? You want to make her a section chief? Then I'll make her a minister!
The situation had become this chaotic precisely because of such hasty maneuvering. The power struggle among the upper ranks had not yet concluded, so naturally they had no time to arrange matters with Dr. Newton.
Related meeting emails had indeed been sent.
Dr. Newton simply had not read them.
Thus, when Dr. Mobius mentioned "the people behind you," what Newton thought of was the Mad Hatter Party.
(The real intentions of the people behind me? Could it be other undercover comrades?)
(No—did they discover the communication from the Third Honkai Eruption? I told them not to suddenly open an emergency channel. Ido ruined everything. My life is over...)
Seeing Dr. Newton grow visibly uneasy, panic flickering across her expression, Mobius smiled smugly and pressed further. "I heard... they've handed the First Herrscher's corpse over to you as well?"
"Dr. Mobius, your hand is reaching a bit too far."
The one who answered was not Newton, but a newcomer.
The middle-aged man wore a monocle and slicked his golden hair straight back, as if displaying his wicked mind to the world. His pink eyes gleamed with cunning, and a sinister smile curved his lips. An ominous aura clung to him, as though he were announcing to everyone present that he was a dangerous individual.
Mobius made no attempt to hide her disgust. "Dr. Edison, you should first congratulate Dr. Newton on her promotion."
"Or are you planning to drive Dr. Newton out of MOTH the same way you slandered Dr. Tesla?"
Dr. Edison burst into laughter. "How could that be? Dr. Tesla left MOTH of her own accord. What does that have to do with me, Dr. Mobius? Haven't you heard how carefree she's living outside?"
"Compared to exhausting herself researching mechs day and night, that kind of life suits her much better. I merely did her a favor and gave her a slight push."
As he spoke, Edison walked to Newton's side, seemingly declaring a certain stance. "Dr. Newton, congratulations."
"I am the Minister of the Energy Department under the Third Science Division—Thomas Edison. You may call me Thomas. I believe we will have a sweet cooperation." He extended his hand in a gesture of friendliness.
Yet Newton merely stared at him with a strange expression, showing no intention of shaking his hand. Edison was left awkwardly holding his hand in midair.
In truth, it was not that Newton was deliberately snubbing Dr. Edison.
She simply had not noticed him at all.
Thanks to Dr. Mobius' "intimidation and threats," Dr. Newton was still staging an entire drama inside her own head.
(Since everyone already knows, there's no need to keep up the act.)
(As a senior double agent of both the Mad Hatter Party and HoMu Company, before I'm captured, I must take as many of MOTH's upper ranks down with me as possible—using the fresh chicken soup personally taught by Vill-V...)
Which left Dr. Edison's hand suspended, neither able to withdraw nor remain extended comfortably.
Seeing Edison's awkwardness, Mobius burst into laughter. "Ah, it seems... someone's stench of copper can no longer be concealed. That's right... Dr. Newton, this sort of person isn't a scientist at all, but a merchant. There's no need to pay him any mind."
With the clownish Dr. Edison present, Mobius had already grasped many things. She had shifted closer to Dr. Newton's side, waiting for Edison to make his move.
"Silence." Edison's expression darkened. He kicked aside the chair at his feet and, with anger in his voice, demanded of Newton, "You didn't read the sponsorship list, did you? It was I—my sponsorship and our support—that gave you the qualification to become Minister of Engineering. Or are you planning to tear down the bridge after crossing the river?"
Edison had actually guessed correctly. Newton truly had not bothered reading that long, nauseating email. So many names appeared in it—was she supposed to flatter each and every one of them? If they wanted to support her, fine. If not, so be it. It wasn't as if she had asked to become minister.
Compared to becoming the Minister of Engineering with an explosive workload, Newton would much rather peacefully remain an assistant researcher—eat when she wanted, sleep when she wanted, and simply submit reports on schedule while coasting through her duties.
Oh, right.
There were assistant researchers like Klein as well.
That kind of half-dead researcher? Newton absolutely refused to become one.