bChapter /b271

    Seeing that Elissa Drummond wasn’t in a rush to defend herself, James kept fanning the mes, pushing his point even further.

    “If we check the security footage and actually find a leak in our department, that’s one thing. But if wee up empty, the rest of thepany will start looking at us sideways. They’ll probably think any one of us could be the mole in R&D.”

    Elissa set down the falsified report she’d been reviewing, her voice calm and even. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Once the footage is reviewed, the truth wille iout/i.”

    Raymond jumped in eagerly, eager to curry favor. “Exactly! Do you all even iknow /iwho Ms. Drummond is? She studied under Dr. Aaron ine, just like Mr. Riley. She’d never steer us iwrong/i.”

    He sounded every bit the picture of support, nodding along as if he’d rehearsed it.

    But Elissa just frowned slightly, as James smoothly picked up the thread. “iAnd /iwhat if the footage doesn’t show anything? Does that mean the data’s clean after all? Or does it mean the real problem is Ms. Drummond’spetence? After dragging everyone through this mess iand /imaking us all look suspicious, how does she n to take responsibility?”

    The two of them volleyed back and forth like a well–practiced routine, trying to put her on the spot. They were deliberately twisting the facts: just because security found nothing didn’t mean the data itself was wless.

    They were itching for her to step into their trap.

    Elissa didn’t rise to their bait. Instead, she smiled. “All right then–how about this? If we do find the leak, what do iyou /iipropose /iwe do with the traitor?”

    James hesitated for a split second, then replied with feigned outrage, “Obviously, we’ll follow thepany’s protocol. iAnd /iwhoever it is, they should never work in pharmaceutical research again.”

    Elissa raised an eyebrow and turned to Raymond. “Do you agree?”

    “Of course I do! Catching the mole would be the best oue for everyone,” Raymond chirped, relieved it wasn’t him under suspicion. Besides, there was no way Elissa would actually get her hands on the footage. Sooner orter, she’d have to give up her team lead position.

    He looked back at her, emboldened. “And if nothing turns up? How will you exin yourself to the

    team, Ms. Drummond?”

    “I’ll step down as team leader,” Elissa replied coolly. “Whoever’s most qualified should have the job.”

    Zachary Jones frowned. “Ms. Drummond-”

    But before he could finish, Cliff Riley spoke up, his expression unchanged, “Let’s have security run the check as soon as possible. We all have work to do this afternoon.”

    After working alongside Elissa for years, Cliff knew she never made a move unless she was sure of herself. His only job now was to trust her, and have her back–no matter what.

    Rivercross Residence.

    Rowan Murphy nced at him with cool, dark eyes.n quickly reported, “Sir, the deputy director from the R&D division just called. There’s been an incident involving Miss Drummond.”

    He stepped closer and summarized the situation sinctly before asking, “Do you want to head over?”

    Those middle–aged men in R&D were a tough crowd. Showing up for Miss Drummond at a moment like this might help her out–and win a few points for himself, too.

    But Rowan didn’t look the least bit concerned. He rolled the silver pen Miss Drummond had given him between his fingers. “No need. She can handle it.”

    If she wanted to lead the Traditional Medicine Unit, or someday rise even higher, she’d have to face these petty power ys herself. It was simply part of the path.