Catalina frowned, doubt clouding her expression."Do you really think it's possible?" she asked quietly. "The scholars of Göttingen are unbearably pedantic. Even if you offered them everything, they might still refuse to accept women. No matter how much knowledge I brought from New Granada, they never saw me as an equal—only as a fortunate woman who happened to learn a few things from men overseas."
Francisco chuckled softly."Under normal circumstances, I'd agree with you. But these are hardly normal times. Remember—I was kidnapped in Göttingen. Director Christian owes me a favor for that alone. And we saved Lichtenberg's life, which means he owes us one as well."
He paused, then continued, his tone turning practical."On top of that, I'll fund everything myself. The laboratory, the instruments, the salaries. The university won't have to spend a single coin—only share some knowledge. I doubt they'll reject an offer that costs them nothing and brings them prestige."
