TBBT 4A Apartment.
"Dr. Adler."
Howard greeted her with extreme restraint.
Rajesh could only lower his head and count ants.
"Dr. Koothrappali, Mr. Wolowitz."
Paige had heard Adam mention them and addressed them correctly.
"..."
Howard felt miserable.
This was the Nth time he had regretted not pursuing a PhD and earning the title of doctor—and by far the most regretful.
"Isn't Adam here?"
Seeing how effortlessly Paige played chess, Leonard could not help asking.
"He'll be here later."
Paige answered casually.
"I remember Dr. Adler works at Princeton. Have you come to Caltech now too?"
Howard asked curiously.
"Of course not."
Paige shook her head. "I only came with Adam. My job is still at Princeton."
"You can do that?"
Howard stared in astonishment.
"Caltech has invited me repeatedly."
After Sheldon made his move, Paige picked up a piece and placed it on the board. "But you know, Caltech is still just Caltech."
"..."
The four Caltech physicists should have immediately protested.
But Howard was ashamed, Rajesh was still counting ants with his head lowered, and Leonard held his chin high, proud of his alma mater.
"Hah!"
Only Sheldon cried out in dissatisfaction. "Caltech's physics department is one of the best in the world!"
"You said it yourself—it's the physics department."
Mathematician Paige smiled faintly.
"..."
Sheldon choked on his words and glared at Paige with wide eyes.
"Your turn."
Paige said with a sweet smile.
"Princeton is forever the GOAT!"
Leonard could not hold back any longer and laughed smugly.
Usually, with Sheldon's astonishing talent and accomplishments laid out before everyone, he freely mocked whichever school he pleased.
Princeton, Leonard's alma mater, and Rajesh's Cambridge University got off relatively lightly.
Howard's MIT, on the other hand, had been trampled into the mud.
Leonard had never imagined that one