[Muldoon is highly regarded in his field, but that's due to his obsession with his work rather than any kind of ambition.

He hadn't quite expected such a firm response and it leaves him blinking for a moment.]

Sounds right to me. [He grumbles though he's not really offended in any way, just surprised.] Someone smart, hardworking, but not in your field so you don't argue too much. Just debate topics and theories.