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The mysterious transformation of James was like a boulder thrown into a calm pond, sending ripples throughout the Department of History. The professors could not ignore the changes in James; his youthful appearance, his revitalized spirit, and his nonchalant yet deliberately vague demeanor sparked endless speculation and curiosity. Whispers began to circulate among the professors in the office, their hushed voices echoing in the corners of the room.
"How is this possible... He doesn't look like James at all..."
"Yeah, I remember he was complaining about his health issues not long ago..."
"Could he have really found some amazing secret? A fountain of youth?"
These murmurs flowed quietly through the air, and whether out of curiosity, skepticism, or jealousy, all eyes were on James as if he had become the focal point of the office. This atmosphere made William increasingly agitated. As the current Department Chair, he had always enjoyed the highest authority and prestige within the department, and now, James's resurgence undoubtedly threatened the position he had worked so hard to establish.
William's gaze darkened as he scanned the other professors. He could clearly feel the restlessness and astonishment circulating in the office, filling him with jealousy and anger. His fists clenched tightly as an impulse surged within him to confront James directly and tear apart that cold, confident facade.
However, William was a seasoned professional who had navigated the workplace for many years. He knew how to mask his emotions. Taking a deep breath to suppress his agitation, he forced a social smile onto his face, though it appeared somewhat stiff and insincere. He walked slowly to James's side, his steps light but each one laced with hidden hostility.
James was focused on the documents on his desk, his fingers lightly flipping through the pages, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding chatter. His gaze swept over the text as if every line was under his control. Yet William's arrival shattered this moment of tranquility.
"James," William forced out a smile that lacked warmth, his tone deliberately friendly yet tinged with sharp sarcasm. "I just discussed with the other professors again and believe you would be very suitable for the position of Literature Consultant. Your years of research experience, combined with your... recent surge in energy and vitality, would undoubtedly be a significant asset to our national research project."
He emphasized "surge" with a hint of mockery and inquiry, as if pressing James to reveal how such a drastic change had occurred or suggesting that he could only maintain his standing in academia through opportunities provided by William. The smile remained plastered on William's face, but his eyes glinted with a cold light as he eagerly awaited any sign of unease or concession from James.
Yet James maintained his calm demeanor, not responding immediately. He simply lifted his head to glance at William before gently closing the document in his hands and placing it on the desk. His movements were steady and precise, as if performing an utterly mundane task.
"Oh, Literature Consultant?" A meaningful smile crept onto James's lips; his eyes remained indifferent as he spoke with a hint of mockery. "Sounds like a good opportunity; I just wonder how much you really need my help, William." His voice was soft but carried an undeniable confidence, as if the balance of power in their conversation had subtly shifted.
William's smile froze instantly, igniting a fresh wave of hatred within him. He felt as though all his words and attacks were hitting a solid wall, failing to penetrate James's defenses. This sense of impotence only fueled his anger further; yet faced with James's cold gaze, he could only force himself to suppress his fury and continue wearing that false mask.
James took a sip of coffee, a flicker of disdain flashing in his eyes before revealing a confident yet icy smile. The previous version of James who had always seemed somewhat timid before William was nowhere to be seen; instead stood someone sharp-tongued and aggressive. His smile radiated deliberate provocation as if he were relishing this moment of retaliation.
"William," James said slowly, his tone laced with a hint of cold detachment, "your national research project is a decent idea, but it seems there are some aspects you've not fully considered."
His voice was low, yet every word was clear, causing the other professors in the office to perk up their ears, eager to catch every detail of the exchange. James did not rush to continue; instead, he paused slightly, allowing the tension in the room to thicken in the silence.
"The so-called national research project you propose requires a vast amount of resources and manpower, involving experts from various regions. Such a scale cannot simply be assembled at will," James remarked, gently shaking his coffee cup, his tone filled with calm analysis and disdainful commentary. "Moreover, to be frank, the overall action plan for this project appears far too loose and lacks substantial execution capability. Do you really think that a few reports can coordinate national efforts?"
William's expression shifted slightly, but he suppressed his anger, forcing a smile as he tried to maintain an appearance of calm. However, James had no intention of stopping; his gaze was like a sharp knife, piercing directly into William's pride.
"And," James continued, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt, "while your team may be large in number, such a complex group often falls prey to internal coordination issues—disagreements among experts, uneven resource distribution, and even various obstacles during actual implementation. Do you truly believe you have the ability to manage these resources and realize this plan?"
James's tone was filled with provocation as his cold eyes fixed on William, seemingly compelling him to confront these issues. His speech was neither hurried nor anxious but carried an undeniable weight; each word struck like a blow against William's confidence.
"Let me put it this way," James took a sip of coffee and then continued with a nonchalant smile, "I won't risk joining a project that could be abruptly canceled at any moment. After all, time is precious to me; I have no intention of wasting it on an endeavor with an uncertain outcome."
James's voice held a hint of relaxed mockery, as if he were merely stating an objective fact rather than directly challenging William. This statement caused William's smile to freeze completely; he had thought he could dominate the conversation but now realized that James not only countered sharply but also ruthlessly exposed the weaknesses in his plan.
William's hand involuntarily clenched into a fist, knuckles turning white as his forced smile grew increasingly rigid. He could feel the other professors' gazes subtly shifting toward him—those looks filled with confusion, skepticism, and even a touch of hidden glee. James's bluntness made him appear utterly embarrassed in front of his colleagues, fueling the fire of anger within him even more.
Meanwhile, James maintained his calm smile, gently swaying his coffee cup as if he had completely taken control of the conversation and was even enjoying William's discomfort and helplessness.
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