جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 540

Felix’s car disappeared around the corner before Miranda finally pulled her gaze back. She hated parting with Mia, but she knew another battle was waiting for her.The days that followed were consumed by work. Miranda poured her entire focus into the drug trial. She tracked and logged each volunteer’s reactions, checked and rechecked every parameter, and made sure every step of the process was airtight. She even drafted six optimized testing plans and sent them to Samantha.A week later, Miranda’s work in Hamilton was nearly complete. Her professionalism and dedication earned the full respect of the entire National Military Medical University team.“Miranda, the patient in Bed Three is showing a mild allergic reaction,” a nurse suddenly said while rushing over.Miranda immediately quickened her pace toward the patient’s room. After examining the symptoms and adjusting the medication plan, fatigue finally began to settle in. She stepped out of the room, only to see the hospital dire

The ride back was light and easy. Most of their conversation revolved around the kids.When they reached Miranda’s place, Leo got out, lifted her suitcase from the trunk, and handed it to her. “See you at school tomorrow.”“Alright. Thank you. Get home safe,” Miranda said with genuine gratitude.He glanced at the faint shadows under her eyes and immediately knew she had not been sleeping well. “Make sure you rest,” he reminded her gently.He got back into the car and drove off.Miranda let out a small sigh. She really could not keep troubling him like this. A simple comment about coming home tonight had cost him half a day just to pick her up. She felt guilty even thinking about it.At five in the evening, Miranda called Susan. She was coming to pick Mia up.Susan’s tone was warm. “Of course. I’ll pack up Mia’s clothes and toys. Come over anytime.”Ten minutes later, Miranda rang the doorbell. Susan walked out holding Mia’s hand.“Mommy!” Mia threw her arms around her, smiling

“I already told Dr. Liam my decision. There is nothing left for us to discuss.”Miranda finished stirring her coffee and walked toward her office.“Half an hour. I’m coming to find you,” Felix said in a tone that left no room for negotiation.Before she could respond, the call disconnected, leaving a busy signal in her ear.Annoyance rose sharply in her chest. His tone made it sound as if she were still the dependent Mrs. Gibson he used to control. She did not care whether he showed up or not. Once the current drug trial ended, she was leaving, and nothing would stop her.Meanwhile, at Samantha’s office, a young researcher knocked on the door.“Dr. Liam, may I come in for a moment?” Nina Xander asked.“Come in,” Samantha said. “What’s wrong?”“I overheard you on the phone last time. You mentioned establishing an independent PI for Miranda. I wanted to ask if I could join her team. My thesis work in university was in that same field. I am completely qualified and I can—”Samant

After packing up, Fiona bit her lip hard. “Miranda, one way or another, I’m going to surpass you in this lifetime.”Miranda was not the only talent in the lab. There was still her.Later, when Samantha heard from her assistant that Felix had stopped by, she immediately understood he must have come to talk Miranda out of leaving. Samantha genuinely hoped she would stay. Personal conflicts aside, this lab was the best environment for research. And Felix could offer Miranda conditions that were unmatched anywhere in the country.The budget for the independent PI position had no upper limit. If Miranda wanted it, Felix would make it happen. Letting her leave now would be a tremendous loss.At two thirty in the afternoon, Fiona returned to her office at the research base. With a confident, determined smile, she knocked on Samantha’s door.“Come in.”“Dr. Liam,” Fiona said as she entered, “I’m back.” She had been one of Samantha’s students, and for a long time, the student Samantha v

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