Alexander saw Fritz Lang's Metropolis with a couple of American colleagues. Maria made him uneasy.
The restlessness won out. He barely answered his parents' letters. To Elizabeth, he talked about his specialisation in genetic engineering. To Edward, he asked about the Clay virus.
Edward swore that his withdrawal from the project in favour of James Marcus was temporary, that he had to finish his education. And maybe he was right. Alexander needed to finish his education as soon as possible.
His uncle George, Edward's younger brother, warned him that he was too attached to Ned; that his father was good, true, but that he should find his own way. Playing in the same league as Edward was a waste of time, because Edward was only playing against himself.
He ignored him.
He ignored the little brother who abandoned his older brother and the Ashfords to their fate. He denied that this individual knew his father better than he knew himself, his only son.
He failed to plan a project related to that of his father. The uneasiness grew worse. He kept thinking about Maria.
He consulted a specialist after an attack of sadness. The specialist prescribed an antidepressant, which he kept from his parents.
He locked himself in his room; lost contact with his only group of friends; and shared one last night with his lover before the final break-up. He finished his thesis six months ahead of schedule.
He took a break; watched Metropolis again; and saw the double Maria.
He had an idea.
Worked day and night; lost weight; and reached his body limit.
He succeeded.
He put his idea in a file which he secretly sent to Edward Ashford.
And he handed in the thesis.