Chapter 8
732words
"How much did Tania pay you to put on this act? Tell her to cut it out. Everyone's here for our anniversary. She's the only one missing."
The researcher gave him a once-over and asked calmly, "Are you a Ferguson?"
"Before Ms. Russell left, she made sure to leave a message. "If you see him, tell him that Lucy still has time to give back the original data."
The fear of not being able to find Tania quickly turned into anger.
Samuel's eyebrows knitted together in frustration. "Why is Tania always picking fights with Lulu? Is she really that jealous that she's still acting out like this?"
He felt a deep sense of disappointment and took out his phone to send Tania a text:
[Meet me at the anniversary event in thirty minutes. Otherwise, don't expect me to hold onto the past.]
After putting his phone away, Samuel turned to leave the research institute and saw Lucy waiting by the door.
She was looking at the staff profiles on the wall, her face ghostly white.
The name at the top was "Tania," with a list of impressive research achievements and the title "Dean of the Kingston University Rare Disease Research Institute" right below it.
When Lucy heard footsteps, she quickly covered the poster and grabbed Samuel's hand, pretending to skip out the door with a light heart.
She could never have guessed that Tania was the legendary, mysterious, and young dean!
The thought of Samuel discovering the truth was too much for her. She just held his hand tighter, trying to calm the storm inside.
Years ago, Samuel had supported her going abroad for her studies because she was in the field of rare disease research. However, after being kicked out in her first year for academic misconduct and being financially supported by a wealthy patron abroad, she had to reinvent herself with the help of an MCN company as a top student before she could face Samuel again.
"Samuel, did you find Tania?" Lucy asked in a hushed tone.
Samuel looked grim, dialing Tania's number over and over, but no one picked up.
Lucy looked worried as she spoke, "Samuel, I have to tell you something. Last week, I saw Tania outside the Whiskey Barrel Pub. She was kissing an older man, and it seemed pretty serious."
Samuel's phone suddenly cracked in his hand.
He trusted Lucy completely. If she said Tania was cheating, then it had to be true.
His last feelings for Tania shattered.
He hugged Lucy close and said with confidence, "Lulu, didn't you get a job offer from the research institute too? When do you start?”
"Supporting your studies abroad was the best decision I ever made. You know, the success of our new drug might just depend on your research."
Lucy looked away, feeling a bit guilty, and mumbled, "Let's talk about it next week. I want to stay with you, especially now, after what Tania did."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps. It was the researcher from earlier.
He hurried over with a document in his hand. "Mr. Ferguson, are you sure you want to go ahead with the drug development using the changed data?”
"Ms. Russell said this was your last chance. She told me to make sure you get the original data from Lucy."
Samuel was already upset, and that made him even angrier.
"Are you and Tania trying to trick me together? Is she cheating on me with you? I'm warning you..."
The researcher did not let Samuel keep going. He handed over the document and said, "Mr. Ferguson, if you're certain, sign here.”
"The institute has told you what you need to know. If something goes wrong because of the data and you get sick, it's not on us."
Samuel grabbed the pen without a second thought, poised to sign his name.
Lucy's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly tugged at his arm. "Samuel, are you sure you don't want to think about it a little more?"
Samuel turned to her, his eyes filled with warmth. "Lulu, you wouldn't lie to me, would you?"
Lucy shook her head at once.
Without any more doubts, Samuel's pen touched the paper, and he signed his name, his voice tinged with scorn for Tania.
"I believe in your numbers. Trusting Tania would be the real mistake."
