“She didn’t lie to you.”

Zachary Jones’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. “The new drug that reduces side effects by fifty percent is already in clinical trials. But based on Elissa’s previous track record in research and development, there’s no room for failure–she always seeds.”

Reducing side effects wasn’t the kind of breakthrough you achieved overnight. Every single time, Elissa had to rack her brain to make adjustments–incremental, painstaking improvements, one after

another.

But she was talented, and more than that, she had the rare ability ito /ipull it off. Each tweak she made worked out. Zachary saw it all firsthand and couldn’t help but be impressed.

Noticing James and Raymond exchanging incredulous nces, Zachary idecided /ito twist the knife: “Originally, Ms. Drummond credited the entire team with this sess. But clearly, iyou /itwo weren’t involved at all. So, I’ll just list Ms. Drummond and Cliff as the researchers of record.”

James and Raymond stared in shock, too stunned to even protest. Their earlier denials had ibeen /ifar too absolute–now they’d backed themselves into a corner with no way out.

Marcia’s face darkened as well, but after a moment’s thought, she turned to Elissa. “Since our teams will be coborating from now on, why don’t you tell us more about this drug you’re already testing,

Ms. Drummond?”

Everyone in the room was floored. Marcia’s intent couldn’t have been more transparent–she wanted to im a share of the credit with zero effort.

Elissa arched a brow and fixed her with a cold stare. “You’re right, it’s a joint research project. But I never said you’d get all the rewards without putting in the work. When you can contribute something truly valuable, I’ll be happy to share.”

It was crystal clear what Marcia was up to. She wanted the prestige and the benefits, but without putting in the sweat, all she could do was resort to scheming.

This meeting had achieved nothing, Elissa thought. All their project had gained was another dead weight–someone who’d p their name on it as a ‘coborator‘ but spend every moment looking to

cash in.

As soon as the meeting was over, Elissa didn’t waste a second. She stood and left with Cliff at her side.

But Marcia, heels cking sharply on the floor, hurried after her and called out, “You’re just bluffing. The others may be fooled, but I don’t believe for a second that some ordinary Vistapeak University student could develop anything groundbreaking.”

Marcia couldn’t deny that Elissa had some talent. But to develop a new drug, and cut side effects by half, in such a short time? No way. Unless Mr. ine himself showed up. And even then, Mr. ine was getting on in years–his energy was limited.

“But my mentor is Dr. Aaron,” Elissa replied, her eyes glinting with a mocking smile. “The same Dr. Aaron–Mr. ine–that you tried so hard to apprentice with, but failed.”

18:02

She was talking about the time Frank had brought Marcia to Dr. Aaron’s home, hoping to make her his student. Marcia remembered it all too well–and the humiliation the old man had handed her

Her re was furious, but she sneered, “So you think four years in college is enough to master everything Dr. Aaron knows?

Everyone in medicine knew that, especially in the more traditional branches, mastery took both talent and, above all, time. Four years was barely enough to bluff your way through a clinic, let alone lead real research

Besides, rumor had it Dr. Aaron had only ever passed down his full knowledge to a single, secret apprentice. Everyone else, at best, had only scratched the surface.

Elissa looked at her and suddenly smiled. “But did it ever cross your mind that maybe I’ve been learning for more than just four years?”