Freya sensed something was off with her supervisor and turned to her colleague next to her, silently asking with her eyes what was going on.
“Our research findings from our institute ended up in the hands of the HY Research Center, and they published their paper before us, sharing the research with the world,” her colleague said.
Freya composed herself. “How did this happen?”
Her supervisor’s sharp gaze bore into her. “You don’t know?”
“I don’t.” Freya calmly replied.
“Is that so?” Her supervisor clearly doubted Freya and deliberately probed, “Wasn’t it you who stole our research findings and handed them over to the HY Research Center in Country Z?”
As she spoke, her supervisor closely watched Freya’s expression. If it were her, she would definitely be nervous and show a flaw in her expression.
But as an outstanding cardiac surgeon, Freya had that composure. She looked her supervisor in the eye. “I didn’t do it.”
Her supervisor didn’t give up and continued to probe, “I remember I asked you to organize the data. At that time, you had access to the core data. You could have easily stolen it at that time and brought it back to the country.”
Freya remained calm. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“You’re from Country Z, you have that perspective.”
“But I am also a doctor for Mede. I have expressed my stance…”
“Jane, during today’s seminar, you didn’t stick to the prepared speech. What you said leaned towards the research from Country Z. Mede is already investigating, and the results of whether you had access to that data will come soon.”
Freya’s hand hanging by her side slowly clenched into a fist. Her supervisor noticed her subtle movement and narrowed her eyes. Clearly, Freya was feeling guilty.
Her supervisor let out a deep sigh. Even if she felt sympathetic, she couldn’t show any mercy towards her. She had a compassionate heart, but she also had to take a stand. This was the law of this world. She was too powerless to change the world; she could only do her best.
“I…”
“In simple terms…”
Their conversation was interrupted by the supervisor’s phone, which rang with a song playing.
She answered the call. As she listened to the voice on the other end, her expression became increasingly serious. She glanced at Freya and replied, “I understand.”
“Yes, I will take care of it.”
“Alright.”
The director’s voice was solemn. After hanging up the phone, she put it down and remained silent for a while before looking at Freya. “They investigated and it has nothing to do with you. I was a bit harsh just now, please don’t mind.”
Freya was a bit confused. She did, in fact, take the data in the director’s name. How could they not have found out? Could someone have helped her?
“I haven’t had a meal yet. You two, come with me and let’s grab something to eat.” The director said, getting up from her seat.
Freya and another doctor accompanied her to the hotel’s restaurant.
While they were eating, the director went to the restroom. Freya asked her colleague, “When did the HY Research Center publish their paper?”
“Did you not check your phone?”
Freya indeed hadn’t checked.
“We only found out when they called us. Mede claims to be the best cardiac research center in the world, but now they let HY take the lead in releasing their new research findings. Isn’t that a slap in the face? Where will Mede’s reputation go from here?”
Freya lowered her gaze and nodded, “Yes.” She truly hadn’t expected HY to announce it so quickly. She thought HY would use that data to conduct further research. Freya felt disappointed. Whether or not they became the world’s number one cardiac research center didn’t matter. What mattered was actually creating a fully artificial heart and saving more patients. And not letting domestic medicine fall behind international standards. At that time, she knew that Elijah had control over Mede’s shares, but she still took the risk of bringing back the data. She wanted to use that data for domestic research and have their own artificial heart.
Elijah’s shares could indeed help in securing a lower price for artificial hearts, but that low price would definitely have limitations. No matter how low the price, she wouldn’t have the confidence in her own technology. She didn’t want to be dependent on others. Now that it was made public, it would only make foreign countries more defensive against domestic medicine. There were only downsides, no benefits.
Freya sighed deeply.
“Jane, what’s wrong?” her colleague asked.
Freya perked up and said, “It’s nothing.”
The director returned. She sat down and said, “Why haven’t you two eaten?”
“We were waiting for you.” Freya’s colleague said.
“Go ahead and eat,” the director said, picking up her fork.
“Dr Martin, you’re using Country Z’s utensils.” Freya’s colleague remarked.
“What’s so difficult about that? When in Country Z, one must experience the local customs and traditions.”
At that moment, the waiter brought coffee to their table. Freya’s colleague found it strange. “We didn’t order this.”
“I did.” Said the director. She handed the milk to Freya. “You can’t drink coffee, so I specifically ordered milk for you.”
“I’ll have coffee with you, Dr Martin.” He said and took a cup of coffee.
Freya accepted the milk the director handed her and said, “Thank you, Dr Martin.”
Freya did feel a bit thirsty, so she took a sip of the milk.
…
During the meal, Freya started to feel a bit dizzy.
Her colleague noticed that she wasn’t feeling well and asked, “Jane, what’s wrong?”
Freya shook her head, “I’m fine, just tired maybe.”
The director chimed in, “If you’re tired, go back and rest.”
Freya got up, “Then I’ll go back first.” She felt something was off. As she stood up, her eyes landed on the glass of milk, and quickly realized, “Is there something wrong with this milk?”
Otherwise, why would she suddenly feel weak?
The director looked at her, “You catch on fast. I put something in the milk. I received a call, and it’s been confirmed that the data was leaked by you. If I don’t bring you back, not only will I be kicked out of the hospital, but my entire career will be over before retirement. I have no choice but to do this.”
Freya’s colleague didn’t dare to move. The situation seemed to catch him off guard. Or perhaps, it was the director’s calmness and strategy that shocked him.
Freya tightly gripped the chair, but her consciousness was getting hazier and hazier.
“Give up struggling. I know you’re a doctor, so I can control the dosage. You won’t notice until it’s too late, and it will completely crush your will.”
Freya knew she couldn’t collapse. If she fell this month, the baby would be in danger, but her body was so weak. She slowly squatted down, lessening the impact of falling when she passed out. Finally, she couldn’t hold on any longer and fell to the ground. Her fainting caught the attention of the waiter, who came over to help. The director instructed the other colleague to carry Freya, and said to the waiter, “We’ll take her to the hospital.”
As they left the restaurant, the colleague asked, “Where are we going, Dr Martin?”
“Let’s leave this place first. The helicopter from Country M is already on its way to pick us up.”
They were all from Country M. Therefore, their priority was the interests of Country M.
…
On the other side.
Elijah summoned Orion to the company. He had figured out a way to find Luna, and the most likely way was to start with Haley Holt.
“What’s the matter that you called me here?” Orion asked with an emotional tone. He was still upset about the unpleasantness from before.
Elijah stared coldly at him, “If it’s not because of Freya, do you think I want to meddle in your trivial matters?”
Orion nervously asked, “What trivial matters of mine?”
“Freya asked me to help her investigate Luna’s situation, and we suspect it has something to do with Haley…”
“It can’t be Haley. She’s the victim,” Orion interrupted Elijah before he could finish his sentence.
Elijah looked at Orion’s expression as if he was looking at a fool. And he was growing impatient.
“We’ll know if it’s her with a simple test.” Said Evan.
“What test?”
“Watch me.” With that, Evan took out his phone and sent a message to Haley Holt.