Chapter 97: Is Gemma Your Girlfriend?
The next day.
Gemma had just coordinated her work schedule with the hospital when she got a call from Brian.
She quickly left the hospital and got into his car.
Brian handed her a folder.
“These are the key researchers at the Read family’s institute,” he explained.
Most of them were senior experts with gray hair–veterans who had made significant contributions to medical research.
“Even though I recommended you, they’re all skeptical. My eldest brother is more inclined to cut losses to save the family.
If that happens, part of the Read family will be acquired, and we’ll only have half the control.
I’m sorry, Gemma. I shouldn’t be telling you this. I don’t want to pressure you
Gemma set the folder down. She had already memorized most of the researchers‘ faces after all, they were legends in the field, and she’d come across their names before.
“Brian, I agreed to help you develop the drug, but beyond that, I can’t do much.”
Brian felt a bit awkward. “I didn’t mean for you to get involved in the company’s affairs.. It’s just that
He was simply too lonely.
No one else would listen.
His mother only wanted him to become strong enough to seize control of the company
His father, proud and stubborn, would rather die than sell the company-
And his brothers!
Each had their own agenda–some wanted a share of the pie, while others had given up entirely.
Internal strife and external threats were pushing him to the brink of collapse
“Brian
Gemma said, breaking the silence.
“I don’t know much about business, but I do understand that the corporate world is ruthless. If the Read family is under siege, there must be a reason.
And that reason isn’t just one person’s fault.
So don’t carry all the blame yourself.
There’s a saying: ‘Do your best and leave the rest to fate.”
Brian was taken aback.
The car sped along the road, the scenery outside flashing past in a blur.
Yet her profile, bathed in soft sunlight, radiated a gentle glow.
“Gemma, thank you.”
For the longest time, he had believed he was the one dragging the Read family down.
But now, thinking it over, the signs had been there all along.
Gemma smiled faintly, as if she’d remembered something
“A good friend once taught me that,” she said.
“Let’s both strive for the best.”
Talking about this friend seemed to make her happy.
The sparkle in her eyes outshone the sunlight.
Brian’s heart sank.
Chapter 97. Is Gemma Your Girlfriend?
He’d been so overwhelmed lately that he hadn’t even thought about his feelings.
So, was this “good friend” a man or a woman?
And were they really just friends?
“We’re here.”
The driver announced, bringing the car to a gentle stop.
Gemma looked up.
The Read family building stood grand and striking–a landmark in the area.
Back in college, many of her classmates had dreamed of working at the Read Institute.
Even her professor, Emerson Soto, had once said the Read family’s pharmaceutical industry was among the top three. If given the chance, it was worth seeing.
She never imagined that she would one day walk into the institute as a pharmaceutical consultant.
“Gemma, don’t be nervous. Just focus on what you’re good at,” Brian said softly, trying to reassure her.
If he’d had any other options, he wouldn’t have dragged Gemma into this
Gemma nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
As they stepped through the institute’s doors, they were immediately greeted by Harvey, the eldest Read sibling.
“Brian, is this the divorcee you’ve been pining over?”
Harvey’s dark suit and playful smirk gave him an air of arrogance. But the sneer in his eyes betrayed his mockery.
Brian instinctively moved to shield Gemma.
“Harvey, she’s here to help the Read family. Show some respect.”
Harvey chuckled. “She might be decent in surgery, but making medicine? Brian, are you really this desperate”
“Whether it’s desperation or not, that’s none of your concern, Brian replied, his tone calm but firm
A flicker of anger crossed Harvey’s cold eyes..
“Fine. Let’s see what this woman can do!”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
“Brian, don’t forget our deal. If you screw this up, you and your mother are out of the Read family”
Brian clenched his fists. “Harvey, you’d better remember the promises you made, too. Don’t try to back out later!”
With that, he grabbed Gemma’s wrist and led her past Harvey, swiping his card to enter the institute.
The interior was sterile and spotless
Gemma went to change into her lab coat.
When she returned, she noticed a few unfamiliar faces in the lab
“These are our collaborators. They’re here to assess the antipyretic and analgesic drug you’ll be making,” Brian explained.
Painkillers on the market ranged from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per pill.
The difference lay in their efficacy, which tested the pharmaceutical scientist’s skills and the tools used.
Gemma nodded. This was her comfort zone–nothing to be nervous about.
But just then-
Two latecomers walked in.
And in an instant.
Gemma felt a hostile gaze land on her
She looked up instinctively, locking eyes with
Yvonne Cooke.
Since witnessing Yvonne’s manipulative tactics at Elizabeth’s place, Gemma had avoided paying her any attention.
Chapter 97: Is Gemma Your Girlfriend!
After all, that involved the Beasleys‘ scandal, and the less she knew, the better.
But never in her wildest dreams did she expect Yvonne to be one of the Read family’s collaborators.
A sinking feeling crept over her.
Sure enough, Yvonne was the first to speak.
“Harvey, did you change your pharmaceutical scientist?”
Harvey replied, “Ms. Cooke, you misunderstand. We hit a bottleneck, so Brian brought in this expert to help.”
Yvonne’s eyes narrowed.
“Let’s not talk about whether she’s an expert or not
“If you just bring in someone like this, should we be buying medicine from you, or from her?”
“And if the medicine doesn’t work, whose fault will it be? Yours, or hers?”
Harvey hesitated, clearly caught off guard.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Brian.
The decision to hire someone externally had been made out of sheer desperation.
Now, with the collaborators here, everything was suddenly under scrutiny.
They also pointed out the problem.
If the collaborators hadn’t come, Gemma could have finished her work, and they’d have paid her quietly.
But now, things had gotten complicated
Seeing the silence, Yvonne pressed further.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t even sign a contract with this so–called expert?”
“If that’s the case, how can we trust the product?”
The other collaborators chimed in, echoing Yvonne’s concerns and demanding an explanation.
Standing alone, Brian bore the weight of their questions
“Whatever happens–good or bad–I’ll take full responsibility!”
But Yvonne wasn’t satisfied.
She subtly turned on a recording device and sneered, “Oh, Mr. Brian. So protective. Is she your girlfriend?”
