Chapter 3

The life sciences conference was attended by leading experts from academia and the medical field, along with journalists.

On stage, Wendy stood in a snappy suit and announced that the research project led by her student had achieved a breakthrough.

She smiled proudly as she read Felix’s name aloud.

I sat in the corner and watched Felix walk onto the stage with confidence.

He placed a hand over his chest, and his eyes were filled with tears.

“I’m so excited to share the results. Our team has finally achieved a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease research. We have solved a problem that the medical community around the world has been unable to solve for years.”

The moment he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted. Reporters’ cameras flashed nonstop as they took photos of Felix.

A reporter asked, “Mr. Lawrence, there are many areas within life sciences that can be studied. What made you choose Alzheimer’s disease?”

Felix answered as if he had prepared the speech beforehand. His words were clear and rehearsed.

“My grandfather had the disease. I went from being his loving grandson to a complete stranger.

“When I saw what he went through in the end, I made up my mind that I had to overcome this disease. Even if I could only light a tiny spark of hope in their minds, it would be worth it. That’s why I named this project ‘Firefly.’”

My eyes turned red from anger as I listened to him. He was repeating everything that I had told Wendy in confidence.

When I first suggested working with her, she had asked me the same question.

“There are so many areas in neurology that can be researched. Why did you choose this one?”

Back then, I thought she truly wanted to understand me better. I never imagined she only wanted to steal everything from me.

Amid the applause, Wendy walked onto the stage. Her eyes shone with genuine admiration when she looked at Felix.

She took the microphone and announced, “Felix is the smartest and most hardworking student I have ever mentored. I’m proud of him for achieving such a great result at such a young age.”

Felix looked the very picture of a student who had just received praise from his mentor. He pressed his lips together and smiled shyly.

Xavier looked disgusted. He gave me a look, then stood up and asked in a professional tone, “Mr. Lawrence, your research report contains a large amount of clinical data. You’re still very young, and you’re not a doctor. Where did the data come from?”

The smile on Felix’s face froze.

When Wendy saw that it was Xavier, her brows furrowed. She did not panic.

She took the microphone and said in a serious voice, “As I already said, Felix might be young, but he is very hardworking and dedicated. I was being modest with the praises. I truly think Felix is some kind of genius.”

“Really? I find that hard to believe.”

Amid the confused looks from everyone around me, I stood up.

The moment Wendy saw me, a look of panic flickered on her face.

Felix looked even worse. His face turned pale, and he slowly stepped back.

Under their frightened gazes, I walked onto the stage one step at a time.

Someone asked who I was. I picked up the microphone and introduced myself.

“Hello everyone, I’m Yale Xenford, chief physician of the neurology department.”

The room immediately fell into an uproar.

Wendy was a famous figure in the academic world. Everyone knew that her husband was a doctor named Yale Xenford.

Amid the whispers, I calmly inserted the USB drive into the computer.

“Professor Lawson, Mr. Lawrence, what a coincidence! I happen to have a copy of your report too.”

The report appeared on the large screen. I spoke in a steady voice.

“This report is the result of ten years of clinical data and countless days and nights of research.

“Behind every piece of data is a real patient. Their diagnoses and treatment plans are still recorded in our hospital’s system.

“I have one question. Mr. Lawrence, how did you get this report?”

Felix immediately lost it. He struggled to explain. “I collected all of it through hard work.”

Wendy pointed at me in anger.

“Yale, you’re just jealous because my student achieved what you couldn’t at such a young age.

“You’re creating a scene because you want to destroy him!”

Her words caused the people in the audience to turn against me. They looked at me in anger and disapproval.

I closed the report and played a video on the large screen.

As the video played, I raised my voice so everyone in the room could hear me clearly.

“A certain university professor has twisted the truth. Not only did she betray her professional ethics by having an affair with her own student, but she also stole ten years of her husband’s research and tried to use it to turn her student into a genius.

“Professor Lawson, Felix, I wonder if you know who I’m talking about.”

The moment Wendy saw the video, her face turned deathly pale.