Only afterward did he realize that student had not actually spoken.
No matter how much a student looked down on a professor, no student of sound mind would verbally disrespect the professor during class.
What he had heard was that student's inner thoughts!
Hector was thrown into a panic. He had no idea who he could talk to about something like this.
Then, his father, Councilman Hammond, came to find him.
He hoped Hector could help him gain control of the alien wreckage collected by A.R.G.U.S.
Only then did he learn that A.R.G.U.S. had approached him not because they valued his talent, but because of his councilman father's connections.
It left him deeply frustrated. Then, at that moment, he accidentally heard his father's inner thoughts.
He'll never succeed. He's a failure!
So Councilman Hammond had always looked down on him. He saw him as a failure who could never succeed without relying on his father.
Hector's emotions became unstable once more.
When he was alone in his room, Hector could only comfort himself.
"It's all right, Hector. You just lack an opportunity."
That evening, Ferris Aircraft Manufacturing Company held a celebration banquet to commemorate Ferris successfully signing a procurement contract with the Air Force.
Hal Jordan also received an invitation.
He was utterly baffled. He remembered ruining the whole thing, so how had the contract still been signed?
Hal did not actually enjoy parties for high society types, but for Carol, he was willing to make the trip.
That night, he put on his only proper suit and headed to the venue.
Hector Hammond also received an invitation through his father's connections.
He and Hal had actually been old friends for years, but Hector had always secretly loved Carol, while Carol loved Hal.
So they had not interacted much lately.