Abigail sharply noticed that Dr.Pitt was not being exactly friendly, and she turned toward Dr.Kramer—the other Mead Clinic representative—with a quizzical look.
“Hotmesh Research just published a research paper with our research data and made it available globally,” Dr.Kramer said.
“What?!” Abigail exclaimed while trying to keep herself composed.
Dr.Pitt was staring sharply at her regardless.
“You didn’t know?”
“I didn’t,” Abigail calmly replied.
“Is that so?”
Dr.Pitt was clearly suspicious, and kept probing.
“Didn’t you sneak off with the key portions of our research data and give it to Hotmesh?”
She stared closely at Abigail’s face, because if it were Abigail, she would definitely turn nervous or react.
However, Abigail was an excellent doctor, and naturally had the composure to keep herself together.
Looking Dr.Pitt in the eye, she said, “I didn’t.”
Dr.Pitt did not give up just yet.
“I remembered asking you to compile our research data, and you would have everything in your possession at the time.That is when you could extract the key parts and bring them here.”
Abigail remained at ease.
“I would never do that.”
“You’re Zidonian.You have every reason to do that,”
Dr.Pitt pointed out.
“But I’m a doctor at the Mead Clinic before that.I’ve said as much before—”
“Dr.Tanner, you did not follow the script at the forum today, and everything you said was clearly leaning in favor of Zidonia.There’s an internal investigation being conducted as we speak, and we’ll find out what happened soon enough.”
Abigail’s hands clenched at her sides just then and Dr.Pitt noticed it.
Her gaze darkened—Abigail was clearly feeling guilty.
Dr.Pitt heaved a deep sigh just then.
Though she felt sympathy, she could not afford to be lenient — even perspective mattered when it came to compassion.
It was the way of the world.
If one was unable to change it due to their own weakness, they just had to fulfill their own role.
“Dr.Pitt, I…”
Dr.Pitt’s phone rang just then, and she answered it.
Her expression turned grim after she listened to the other person, and she even slid a glance at Abigail before answering, ”Understood.
“Yes, I’ll get it done.”
“Yeah.”
Her tone was solemn, and when she hung up, she put away her phone in silence for a long while before turning to Abigail.
”They are done with the internal investigation over there, but it seems that you are innocent.I’m sure I have been a little harsh, so please don’t hold it against me.”
Abigail was actually confused right then.
There was no doubt that she had used Dr.Pitt’s clearance to gather the research data…
How did the internal investigation come up short? Was someone helping her?
“Well, I haven’t had my dinner, so you two are joining me,” Dr.Pitt said, rising to her feet.
They all headed to the hotel’s restaurant.
While Dr.Pitt left for the washroom, Abigail asked Dr.Kramer, “When did Hotmesh publish the data?”
“Didn’t you check your phone?” Dr.Kramer asked in return, but Abigail certainly did not.
“We only found out after we were called about it.I mean, we are the leading research center for cardiovascular diseases, but Hotmesh somehow beat us to publish that data.What is that if not a slap on our collective faces? Can we even maintain our reputation from now on?”
Abigail lowered her gaze.
“Yeah,” she agreed.
She had never expected Hotmesh Research to publish the papers right away.
Instead, she was hoping that they would use the data given to further develop the fully artificial heart concept.
She was actually disappointed that things had turned out like this— being the first to develop an artificial heart mattered less than actually developing it successfully to save people, so that Zidonia did not need to be dependent on another country.
She knew that Diarmuid had already become a shareholder of Mead Clinic, but she risked it and stole the data anyway just so that Zidonia could develop their own artificial heart with the data.
Diarmuid’s stake might mean rebates, but that would still be limited.
And no rebate would ever trump the confidence of having the technology themselves and not being subservient to others.
Hotmesh’s announcement would only serve to make every other country wary about keeping their own medical research and development to themselves—nothing good would come of it.
Abigail sighed lengthily.
Dr.Kramer asked, “What is it, Dr.Tanner?”
Abigail gathered herself and said, “It’s nothing.”
Dr.Pitt returned just then, and as she sat down, she asked, ‘Why aren’t either of you eating?”
“We were waiting for you,” Dr.Kramer said.
“Eat already,” Dr.Pitt said as she picked up a pair of uniquely shaped cutlery.
“You know how to use that?” Dr.Kramer asked.
“It’s not that difficult,” Dr.Pitt smiled.
“And as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
A waitress arrived with two coffees and a glass of milk just then, leaving Dr.Kramer perplexed.
“We didn’t order that.”
“I did,” Dr.Pitt said, and passed Abigail the milk.
“You shouldn’t drink coffee while pregnant, so I ordered this for you.”
“Thanks, chief,”
Dr.Kramer said, and picked up his cup of coffee.
Abigail took her milk and thanked Dr.Pitt too, taking a sip since she was feeling thirsty.
As they ate, Abigail started to feel a little dizzy.
Noticing that, Dr.Kramer asked, “What’s wrong, Dr.Tanner?”
Abigail shook her head.
“I’m fine…I think I’m just tired.”
Dr.Pitt said, “Then you should get some rest.”
“Yeah.”
Abigail got to her feet.
“I think I’ll return to my room.”
That was when her eyes lingered on the glass of milk and she came to a realization.
“Is that milk…spiked?”
Why else would she suddenly feel enfeebled out of the blue? Dr.Pitt gave her a look then.
“You catch on quick.Yes, I spiked it—the caller just now insisted that I bring you in.The investigation concluded that you were the one who stole our data, and if I don’t bring you in, my whole career would be over.This is my only option if I don’t want to be fired before my retirement.”
Dr.Kramer did not move an inch from surprise —Dr.Pitt’s composure and cunningness certainly shocked him.
At the same time, Abigail’s fingers were digging into her chair while her consciousness began to blur.
“Give up already,”
Dr.Pitt said.
“I knew you’re sharp, so I kept the dosage at a level where you’d never notice until you lost consciousness completely.”
Abigail knew that she must not fall at this stage of pregnancy, or her baby would be in danger.
As her body started to turn to jelly, she slowly crouched, reducing the impact of the fall as she eventually blacked out and dropped to the floor.
The waitress noticed and came to help, but Dr.Pitt gestured for Dr.Kramer to carry Abigail while telling the waitress, “We’re taking her to the hospital.”
As they left the restaurant, Dr.Kramer asked, “Where are we going? “
“Anywhere but here.They have a chopper waiting for us.”
Dr.Kramer nodded—they were Minervans, and naturally prioritized their own nation.
Meanwhile, Diarmuid had summoned Zachary Slate to his office.
He had an idea on how to find Lulu, and that means starting work on Ember Lindt —the prime suspect of Lulu’s disappearance.
“Why did you call me here?”
Zachary was clearly moody after that disgruntling lunch with Diarmuid and Abigail.
Diarmuid, however, was staring daggers at him too.
“Did you think I would get involved with your mess if not for Abigail?”
“What do you mean, my mess?” Zachary asked, even though he clearly lacked the confidence.
“Abigail asked me to find Lulu, and we both think that Ember Lindt was involved—”
“No way.She’s the victim,” Zachary said, cutting Diarmuid short before he could finish.
Diarmuid looked at him as if he was an idiot just then, his impatience building! Beside them, James said, “We will test her to see if that’s true.”
Zahcary asked, “How?”
“Just watch.”
James then whipped out his phone and texted Ember!
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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