Chapter 249: Not Asking for Forgiveness, Just Wanting to See Gemma
The lab was tucked away in a secluded mountain estate in N.L. City.
Surrounded by towering peaks, hidden from prying eyes.
The guards stationed here were all retired military–sharp, disciplined, and deadly if needed.
Around the lab, patches of medicinal herbs thrived.
Keeping them this vibrant in this season was no small feat.
Gemma loved the scent of these herbs.
It was soothing.
Whoever chose them had put real thought into it-
Every plant helped with fatigue.
After long hours in the lab, stepping outside into the fresh, herb–scented air melted away exhaustion. Sometimes, it even gave her enough of a
recharge to head back in for another round of experiments.
She pushed open the lab doors.
Rows of newly unpacked equipment lined the space.
Still unassembled, leaving the lab in a bit of chaos.
Cassius followed behind her, his voice low. “It’ll all be set up by tonight. You can start using it tomorrow.”
Gemma stepped inside, glancing over the equipment’s manufacturers and specs.
Perfect.
“We also need a temporary medical unit nearby. Move the child here so the moment we finalize the drug, we can test it immediately.”
This research was crucial.
If successful, they could apply for mass production.
But absolute secrecy was necessary.
If the child remained at the hospital.
She’d have to shuttle back and forth.
More people would find out. More risks, more complications.
Cassius had no objections. “I’ll arrange it now.”
Gemma stepped back outside, wandering into the herb garden.
Her mood lifted.
There really was nothing in the world that a genuine passion couldn’t fix.
At the hospital.
Brian dragged his aching body toward the Integrated Medicine Department.
Compared to a few days ago, the place was buzzing with activity.
Doctors and nurses were fully staffed.
New equipment was being installed.
Some machines were so advanced, he’d never even heard of them before.
It’s really happening.
The department really was expanding at an astonishing pace.
Other hospitals either ignored or outright suppressed integrated medicine, cutting it altogether.
Outside of medical schools, you barely saw it anymore.
Yet, in the middle of all this opposition, the hospital director had bet on Gemma’s potential.
He believed she could hold her own.
But right now..
Brian lowered his head, torn.
After what happened with Harvey, his relationship with Gemma had probably hit rock bottom.
He’d spent days trying to fix things.
Setting
14.24
Chapter 249: Not Asking for Forgiveness, Just Wanting to See Gemma
But every time, he lost his nerve.
Today, he was pushing his luck–praying she’d at least hear him out.
“Where’s Gemma?”
He finally reached her office, knocked, but got no response. He pushed the door open–empty.
Frowning, he grabbed a passing nurse.
That’s when he found out–Marcus had donated a ton of medical equipment today. Gemma signed for it and clocked out carly.
Hadn’t been back all afternoon.
She must’ve taken leave.
Since she ran the department, all she had to do was notify the director–no one else would know.
Brian stood at her door, drained.
Harvey was locked up now, and Brian had been doing everything he could to convince the shareholders to cut him loose.
But his father refused.
Read Group had been around for years. His father had dirt on nearly everyone.
Now, just to save his son, he was ready to burn every bridge.
The shareholders, seeing his father’s madness, weren’t willing to gamble. They were scrambling to get Harvey out.
Of course, given the severity of his crimes, the best they could hope for was a reduced sentence.
Brian had been fighting it, trying to pick them off one by one. But nothing worked.
An older shareholder had even tried to reason with him.
“Harvey’s mother was your father’s first love. Harvey’s his last tie to her.”
“As long as he’s not facing the death penalty, that’s all your father cares about. And you? You’re throwing yourself into a fight you can’t win.”
Brian had snapped back, “Harvey ruined lives. He deserves to die.”
The shareholder chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re so naïve. There are plenty of ways to kill a man. You just chose the hardest one.”
He patted Brian’s shoulder, his voice heavy with meaning.
“I know you’re ambitious. You have the resources. Under your leadership, Read Group will go far.”
“But as long as your father holds the cards, he can still change the successor.”
“And Harvey’s not your only sibling. The others weren’t erased, just exiled.”
“Brian, you remind me of myself when I was young. Always refusing to back down.”
“But in this world, being too rigid only leads to breaking.”
Brian had finally let go of his fight.
Now, Read Group’s legal team was working around the clock.
Trying to keep Harvey alive.
If they succeeded, Gemma would never work with Read Group again.
Not to mention–Brian himself had played a part in all of this.
He had no right to face her.
But the longer he went without seeing her, the more restless he became. He was losing his mind.
He couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.
If he couldn’t fix things, he could at least make up for them.
That’s why he was here.
After hesitating, he finally called Gemma.
She picked up almost immediately.
“Gemma, you took the day off?”
“Mm, had something to take care of. What’s up?”
Her voice was distant, polite–like they were nothing more than acquaintances.
Brian’s chest tightened.
But he forced himself to keep his tone light.
“Nothing much. Just haven’t seen you in a while. Thought I’d take you out for dinner, catch up.”
“Oh, right–Stella asked me to invite you too. She needs a favor.”
That name hit a nerve.
Setting
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Chapter 249: Not Asking for Forgiveness, Just Wanting to See Gemma
To his surprise, Gemma agreed without hesitation.
“Sure. Let’s talk this weekend.”
“Great! I’ll set everything up.” Brian’s face lit up. He clenched his phone, barely containing his excitement.
The moment they hung up, he shot Stella a message, locking in the time and place.
Then, he headed back to surgery.
And ran into an unexpected patient.
Yvonne.
“Well, Dr. Read. What a coincidence.”
She had crashed her car into a guardrail. Both she and Kaiya were injured.
Luckily, the impact had been minor–nothing life–threatening. After treating their wounds, they’d be discharged the next day.
Brian glanced at her, irritation flashing in his eyes.
Back when Gemma had worked with Read Group, Yvonne had been one of the judges. She’d given Gemma hell at every turn.
He’d been waiting for the right moment to deal with her. And now? She had walked straight into his hands.
“Well,” he said, voice slow and deliberate, “if you wanted to see me so badly, you could’ve just crashed a few more times.”
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