로그인Miranda gave a small, apologetic smile. “Sorry, James. The decision came together pretty suddenly. I just haven’t had the chance to tell you yet.”James let out a quiet sigh. He knew how stifling it must have been for her to work under Felix’s lab, so he could not blame her.“I get it. I really do. I just hate to see you go.”“I’m only leaving this place, not the field,” Miranda said gently. “We’ll definitely cross paths again.”James nodded. “With your talent, every major lab will want you. Even the national research team would be lucky to have you.” He paused for a moment before asking, “Did he agree to let you leave?”There was no need to clarify who he meant.“My leaving doesn’t require his permission,” Miranda said evenly.James knew that was true. Felix was only an investor, and he had no real authority to stop her. Still, James could not help thinking about something Ben had mentioned to him the day before. He doubted it had anything to do with Miranda, but DE’s plans f
“You don’t need to give me an answer now. You have three months to think about it.” Felix said this quietly, then turned and walked away.Miranda didn’t press the elevator button. Her thoughts drifted back to the last experiment she did two years ago.It was the one she conducted in an underground lab in Danesia. That night, Mrs. Young had called to say Felix had taken Mia home and that she had seen another woman in his car.Miranda had put down her work that very moment.She had been running a brain–computer interface test on a monkey whose nervous system had been completely paralyzed after being struck by lightning in the wild. That night, the monkey suddenly sat up on its own. Her mentor had called it nothing short of a miracle.The animal died of illness a month later, and Miranda left the lab to return to her family. The entire program was shut down shortly after because the research cost was too high.No one in the medical field ever spoke of it again. That miracle was eras
Leo noticed the way Miranda flipped her phone over. Something about her expression, paired with that small defensive motion, immediately made him glance toward the private dining room nearby.The food arrived, and Leo deliberately shifted the conversation back to children and school schedules. The mood relaxed again, at least on the surface.An hour later, they finished lunch. Leo checked the time.“It’s still early. Do you want to grab a coffee?”Miranda gave an apologetic smile. “I have a meeting at the lab this afternoon. I should probably head out.”Leo didn’t want the afternoon to end, but as soon as she mentioned work, he knew he wouldn’t keep her.“Alright. I had a good time. I’ll be overseas for the next couple of weeks, so the next time we see each other will have to wait until I’m back in mid-October.” Leo said this quietly, his gaze lingering on Miranda.Miranda gave him a warm smile and nodded. “Alright. Focus on your work. We’ll see each other when we can.”Leo lov
Miranda paused for a moment, but it was not surprising that Leo knew about her plans. Several researchers from the Jenkins Lab had recently joined the team, so news traveled quickly.“Yes. I’ll be gone in three months,” she replied.“You deserve a break,” Leo wrote back.“Yeah. I just want to rest for a while.”“Alright. Then I’ll wait for the day you finally treat me to that meal you owe me.”Miranda suddenly remembered she actually owed him two meals. She really should make time to treat him.“Okay. How about tomorrow? I’m free in the morning,” she texted after checking her schedule.“Sounds good. I’ll message you tomorrow.”Miranda put her phone down. Ever since deciding to leave the lab, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She had barely rested at all this past year.The results of the new drug trial were promising. One leukemia patient in the early stages was already in complete remission. Reading the latest report gave Miranda a deep sense of relief.That night, K
Miranda had expected Felix to fight her decision, but she never imagined he would go this far. Once she had made up her mind to leave, nothing he did and no one he sent to persuade her would change anything.“Dr. Liam, please let him know he is wasting his time. I am not accepting that offer,” Miranda said.There was a flicker of surprise in Samantha’s eyes. Felix had already given Miranda the biggest compromise he could. If she chose to take it, it would be the best possible outcome.“Miranda, do not rush to reject it,” Samantha said gently. “This arrangement only benefits you. Think about it. Even if you leave the lab, you would still receive the same level of support. That is an incredible opportunity.”Miranda sat quietly for a moment. Then she lifted her head. “Thank you for looking out for me.”“This is not only Felix’s idea. It is my advice as well,” Samantha added sincerely. “In research, resources and networks matter the most. It would be a shame to let personal conflict
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Samantha said, “Come in,” and Miranda walked in with a stack of files in her arms.Fiona’s gaze snapped toward her, jealousy sparking visibly in her eyes.Miranda froze for a moment when she saw her. “Dr. Liam, I’ll come back later.”“No, Miranda, come in.” Samantha turned to Fiona. “Fiona, you can step out for now.”A quiet heaviness hit Fiona’s chest. That one sentence made everything painfully clear. She knew exactly who mattered more in Samantha’s eyes.“Yes, Dr. Liam.” Fiona turned around with a polite expression, but her heart felt tight. Miranda stood calmly by the door, completely unfazed by Fiona’s hostility and resentment.Miranda had already guessed why Fiona rushed back to the lab so quickly. Fiona clearly wanted the independent PI title. And given Fiona’s connection to Felix, she had the best chance of getting it.Samantha looked at Miranda. “Did Felix come by earlier? He tried talking to you, didn’t he?”Miranda’s voice was







