Alessia raised an eyebrow as she saw Dominic standing there. His eyes, filled with pressure, swept over everyone in the laboratory, and he introduced loudly, "This is Tiffany Olsen, the new researcher in the lab."
"Hello, everyone. I'm Tiffany!" Tiffany spoke generously.
As soon as she finished speaking, the other researchers in the lab excitedly approached her.
"Miss Olsen, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you. You're the most talented young doctor in our generation."
"Miss Olsen, I read the article you published in the medical journal last month. It was really well-written."
Tiffany smiled gracefully amidst the praise from the crowd.
Enzo, who had somehow moved his chair next to her, leaned closer to Alessia and mischievously asked, "Sia, imagine if Tiffany knew that you're Athena, what expression do you think she would have?"
Alessia frowned at Enzo, who clearly wanted to stir up trouble. "I don't want anyone else in the lab besides you and my brother to know about this."
She didn't want to invite trouble for herself by revealing Athena's identity, which was even more conspicuous than Gordon's. If someone knew she was Athena, there would be a constant stream of people coming to her.
"How petty," Enzo said with a smirk, looking at Alessia.
Alessia narrowed her eyes. "How do you know?"
"I know everything," Enzo said with a click of his tongue.
Alessia was about to reply when she heard someone tapping on her workbench.
When she looked up, she saw Dominic standing in front of her with a stern expression.
Dominic had just been with Tiffany, so when did he come over?
Alessia frowned slightly. "Mr. Carter, what can I do for you?"
Dominic pursed his lips and cast a critical glance at Enzo. "Since when did the lab's standards become so low?"
This was a question challenging why Enzo had entered the lab.
When the lab was established, it was agreed that Alessia and Riley would be in charge.
Before Alessia could speak, Enzo had already spoken, "It seems that Mr. Carter has some opinions about me."
Dominic shook his head. "I never have opinions about anyone. It's just that everyone in this city knows what Mr. Roberts is best at, drinking and causing trouble."
"Is that so? It seems that Mr. Carter knows me quite well. It's a pity that I wasn't brought in by Mr. Carter. If Mr. Carter has opinions about me, I don't accept them."
Enzo shrugged provocatively and turned to Alessia. "Sia, do you want me to leave, too?"
Enzo's twinkling eyes stared at her, and Alessia had a strange feeling that Enzo was asking her another question through this one.
Alessia said, "Enzo, Mr. Carter is the creator of the lab. You should respect him."
Enzo?
Dominic's face darkened at the mention of this nickname.
Enzo stood up from his chair with an indignant 'swoosh.' He flashed a hint of hurt in his eyes, but quickly concealed it. He looked at Alessia with a smirk.
"It seems that Miss La Rosa also wants me to leave? Were your words of welcome just now fake?"
Alessia frowned at Enzo's sudden change of attitude, then stood up and put her hand on his shoulder. "Enzo, that's not what I meant."
She looked over at Riley. "Bro, you know Enzo best. Why don't you explain it to Mr. Carter?"
Since Enzo had already entered the lab, he couldn't leave. Keeping him under close watch was the best way to find out his flaws.
Dominic looked at Alessia standing protectively in front of Enzo and then at her hand resting on Enzo's shoulder.
Just as he couldn't help but want to step forward and pull her hand away from Enzo, he saw Riley walking over.
Riley stood in front of Enzo and Alessia in a protective manner and began to explain.
"Mr. Carter, I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to talk to you about Enzo's situation. Enzo is very talented. He has already reached the level of a graduate student abroad. I will send Enzo's resume to your email later."
Dominic looked at the three of them huddled together, obviously taking sides, and felt even more impatient. He sneered again with criticism, "Even if there is no problem with his education, the lab also values character."
Bringing up character was a clear signal that he didn't want Enzo.
Almost everyone present who knew Enzo knew about his character. He rarely did anything serious besides drinking and having fun.
Alessia frowned, but saw Enzo's gaze on her. He seemed indifferent to Dominic's criticism, as if he cared more about her opinion.
Alessia pondered. She had to keep Enzo.
"Mr. Carter, regarding Enzo's stay, I'd like to discuss it with you privately."
Dominic looked at Alessia's calm expression and hesitated internally.
But it was impossible for him to agree to let Enzo stay willingly.
Dominic rubbed his nose and continued with a stern expression, "Even so, I need to see Enzo's resume before making a decision. In the future experiments, if there is anything inappropriate about him, I will ask him to leave."
"Okay," Alessia agreed.
Since her brother promised to send Enzo's resume to Dominic, it at least proved that Enzo's ability was qualified.
After settling things with Dominic, Alessia returned to the laboratory.
She walked up to Enzo, who was sitting at his desk typing on the keyboard, and gently tapped on his desk. "Enzo, Dominic agreed. You can stay."
"Okay," Enzo responded lightly, neither happy nor sad, and his gaze still didn't leave the computer screen.
Alessia raised an eyebrow. Enzo was angry!
This temper came out of nowhere.
Alessia looked deeply at Enzo, then turned and returned to her own workstation, deciding to observe Enzo for a while.
However, by noon, Enzo hadn't changed his attitude towards her. They had agreed to have lunch together, but he simply walked past her and left the laboratory alone.
Alessia frowned as she watched Enzo's back.
Riley noticed Alessia's unusual behavior and walked over to her. "Enzo has always been like this. Don't take it to heart."
Alessia looked up at Riley. "Are you saying that Enzo treats everyone like this, and his temper comes out of nowhere?"
"Yes, ever since I've known this kid, he's been like this, ignoring people when he doesn't feel like talking. Alright, let's go home. Mrs. Cate's food should be ready."
Alessia left with Riley, leaving Tiffany sitting at her desk, tidying up her materials, lost in thought.
Dominic was usually reserved, but today he was completely different when it came to Enzo.
After observing for the morning, she noticed that the atmosphere between Alessia and Enzo was different.
Dominic was unknowingly jealous.
Enzo's appearance came at just the right time. She could help set up Alessia with Enzo, or even form an alliance with Enzo.
With these thoughts in mind, Tiffany had a plan.
***