Chapter 1530: I’ve never been happier, Professor.

"Stay here."

Mark watched as Penny closed the door and jogged toward the entrance of the university. Although she’d said she was visiting a lab, her real plan was to make a stop at the university where Professor Singh was teaching.

"I wonder if the master already knows about this," he muttered, shaking his head, eyes lingering on her oddly masculine figure. Even her gait was different, not to mention her talent at changing her voice. "She’s starting to scare me... What else is she hiding?"

What was next?

She was actually an elderly woman?

An angel?

Or a human in an animal costume?

"I don’t even want to think about it," he sighed, pressing a button in the car that brought up a tracking interface showing Penny’s current location.

Since Penny sometimes preferred to be alone, she’d had tracking installed on her devices, allowing Mark to monitor her whereabouts via her phone.

---

Inside the University...

"I see that none of you got the equation right. Haha," Professor Singh chuckled from the front of the class. He scanned the students, then noticed a figure standing by the exit at the far end of the room.

Leaning casually against the doorframe was a young man—or rather, a young lady dressed as one. He squinted, adjusting his glasses, before recognition dawned on him.

He smiled at the class. "This remains your assignment. Until one of you solves it correctly, we won’t move on. And if you need motivation... a fourteen-year-old solved this many years ago. It can’t be right that someone that age is smarter than all of you combined, can it?"

"Professor, that’s not fair!" one student groaned, but Singh simply chuckled.

"Then you’d better get it right next time. Class dismissed."

Judging by their expressions, not everyone was pleased. They’d been stuck on this equation for two weeks now. Groaning, the students gathered their belongings and slowly shuffled out to their next class.

Meanwhile, Penny smirked as she watched the students pass before casually making her way down the steps to where Professor Singh stood.

"Professor, I don’t think any of them will graduate if you don’t help them out a little," she teased as she reached him.

Standing by the desk, Professor Singh turned to her with a warm laugh. "Those kids are smart. They’ll get it—if they actually look closely."

"Well, if you say so, I’ll believe you."

"Penelope, why don’t you take a seat? I just need to tidy this up." He gestured toward the desk while quickly organizing his papers.

Penny glanced around the empty classroom, her lips curling into a fond smile.

This brought back memories.

In her first life, Penny hadn’t studied abroad. She’d gone to this very university, graduated from it, and had even worked here. Not only had she been part of a research team, but she’d also taught a few special classes, which was why she was often invited to speak at events.

And my favorite class was definitely his, she thought, taking a seat at one of the desks.

Once Professor Singh finished, he joined her and sat down, observing her quietly before chuckling.

"Even now, still in costume," he laughed. "It’s been a while, Penelope."

Penny smiled playfully. "I heard the bet’s still going on, and I promised you I wouldn’t let you lose, Professor."

"HAHAHA!" Professor Singh burst out laughing, and Penny laughed along with him.

The two had joined the bet back then—that Penny could keep her identity hidden. Professor Singh wasn’t the gambling type, but after her insistence and a firm promise, he’d eventually agreed.

"Somehow, you haven’t changed," he said fondly. "I thought now that your company’s doing so well, things might be different."

"Professor, you’re hurting my feelings."

"Apologies. It’s just... you left the research team so suddenly. I thought you might’ve forgotten about us."

Penny smacked her lips. "That’s impossible. If not for my company, I’d still be on the research team."

"Penelope." His tone shifted, more serious now. Concern glimmered in his eyes. "Why did you leave the research team? Your work was recognized. Your medical breakthroughs gained real traction and support. Yet, you left so suddenly."

She didn’t answer immediately—just smiled.

Why?

Because in her first life, she had spent nearly all her time in the lab — studying, working, testing her theories, exhausting herself completely — only to end up framed for a crime she didn’t commit.

In that life, her curiosity had made the lab feel like home. But over time, the growing demands turned that home into a prison.

In this life, Penny had only joined the research team for two reasons: to distance herself from her family and prepare for something bigger, and to finish the work she had started in her previous life.

That work was the Miracle Drug.

And now, she had the answer she’d been seeking.

"Professor, you know I never planned to stay in the research team forever," she said gently, smiling. "I’ve always wanted to do business. So, when the opportunity came, I took it."

Professor Singh sighed. Such a waste of a brilliant mind for the medical field.

Not that he wasn’t proud of her, but Penny had been a true genius in medicine.

"You and Dean Pierson..." he muttered, shaking his head. "Two brilliant minds, and now both of you are in business. The medical field really lost something valuable."

He looked at her closely. "But are you happy? With the path you’ve chosen?"

Penny hummed softly, pressing her lips into a line. Her eyes gleamed with peace and satisfaction. Even with her subtle smile, it was clear to the professor.

"Very," she said, nodding. "My heart is in the right place, Professor."

His expression softened, warmth shining in his eyes. "That’s the most important thing. I’m happy for you, Penelope."

"Thank you, Professor." She paused and cleared her throat. "By the way... I actually came here because I need to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"I need you to look into a lethal drug," she said, her tone turning serious. "It’s classified, and I was asked to investigate it. But the initial reports I’ve received... they’re suspicious. I’d like your professional opinion."