Chasing the Unexpected

Genevieve looked at Nyla. “Have you gained anything in the lab these days?”

*I’ve observed that the current focus in the lab is on developing drugs for cardiovascular diseases. The progress of drug development is about 50% complete, and we’re preparing for the experimental stage using mice.”

Upon hearing that, Genevieve’s expression brightened slightly, and her gaze toward Nyla carried a hint of approval. “Well done. How about your learning progress with the lab equipment?”

“It’s coming along.”

On the side, Lucia frowned at Nyla. “Nyla, I know you’re eager to conduct experiments, but experiments are serious business. There are several instruments we haven’t used recently. How can you say you’ve almost learned them?”

Nyla commented flatly, “I’ve used these instruments during my university years.”

“You said it yourself, that was years ago. You haven’t been in a lab for quite some time. You need to learn everything again from scratch. We’re dealing with drug development here. There’s no room for any carelessness.”

“How do you know I haven’t learned from scratch?”

Lucia bit her lip, disappointment evident as she looked at Nyla. “You’ve been doing menial tasks in the lab these days. How could you find time to learn? Don’t lie just to impress Genevieve.”

Nyla smiled. “So you know too. With all the odd jobs assigned to me these days, I haven’t had the chance to learn how to use the lab equipment.”

Lucia froze, subconsciously digging her nails into her palms. She had underestimated Nyla!

“Nyla… Are you implying that I deliberately prevented you from learning how to use the equipment?”

“Why would I? I appreciate your ‘care‘ for me.”

Lucia wanted to say more, but Genevieve interrupted her, “Alright, since you say you’ve almost learned everything, there’s an extraction involved in today’s experiment. You’ll be handling this step.”

Nyla nodded and went to operate the equipment.

Initially, Lucia had planned to wait for Nyla to make a mistake so she could seize the opportunity to make Genevieve dislike her. Unexpectedly, every step Nyla took was precise and flawless.

It wasn’t until Genevieve praised Nyla that Lucia snapped out of her reverie, a long–forgotten panic rising in her heart.

Before Nyla’s family went bankrupt, people only saw Nyla and ignored Lucia whenever they were together. Now, she felt like she was going back to living in Nyla’s shadow.

Was she destined to live under Nyla’s shadow forever? She refused to accept that!

After praising Nyla, Genevieve called her into her office and handed her a document. “The company is preparing to develop a drug for treating asthma. Other researchers are currently occupied, so I intend to

assign this project to you. Do you feel confident about it?”

Nyla was astonished. She hadn’t expected Genevieve to entrust her with such an important task so quickly.

After reviewing the materials, she looked at Genevieve, “I can’t handle this project independently.”

“I know. Lucia’s current project will wrap up in another month or two. By then, I’ll have her team come over to assist you.”

Upon hearing Lucia’s name, Nyla couldn’t help but frown. Given Lucia’s dislike toward her, she doubted Lucia would cooperate well. In fact, she might even scheme behind her back.

Although they were in the same lab, there would be no escape if Lucia decided to target her.

With that in mind, Nyla nodded. “Alright, I understand.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Good. Work hard on this. Come to me with progress reports every week from now on. You can start preparing.

As Nyla left Genevieve’s office, Lucia stopped her when she reached the entrance of the lab.

“Nyla, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

Nyla remained unfazed by Lucia’s furious expression. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.“.

Lucia sneered. “I’ve assigned you those’menial tasks these days, and you didn’t say a word. Wasn’t it your plan to wait until Genevieve came around and make her think I was targeting you?”

Nyla hadn’t intended to waste time arguing with Lucia, However, seeing Lucia so confidently accusatory, she looked at her with a hint of seriousness. “Are you saying you haven’t targeted me?‘

“Even if I did, so what? Every new person comes in like you did. Do you still think you’re the Ms. Nyla Jayston, expecting the whole world to revolve around you?”

As Nyla observed Lucia’s sardonic demeanor, she realized how blinded she had been before, actually believing that Lucia was genuinely treating her as a friend.

“I’m not the type of newcomer to swallow grievances. Don’t mistake me for a pushover. Let bygones be bygones. If you continue with your petty schemes against me in the future, I won’t hold back because of our past.”

Lucia initially wanted to retort, but an involuntary sense of guilt rose within her upon meeting Nyla’s icy gaze. It left her momentarily speechless and mentally blank.

Nyla ignored her and walked away.

After work, Nyla returned home, cooked, ate quickly, and then began researching materials for drug development. As she delved deeper into her research, drowsiness crept over her, and she fell asleep on her computer.

In a daze, she felt someone lifting her and placing her gently on her bed. Turning over, she prepared to go

back to sleep but suddenly remembered she lived alone, which startled her awake.

23

+25 BONUS

She abruptly opened her eyes, only to see Clark’s handsome profile, which simultaneously relieved and infuriated her.

She sat up, glaring at Clark with a cold expression. “How did you get in?!”

“Nyla, I haven’t slept for three days so I could rush back. Let me rest for a while, okay?” Clark’s voice was hoarse and laden with exhaustion.

Nyla noticed that his usually impeccably styled short hair was slightly messy, his eyes were bloodshot, and a shadow of stubble covered his chin. He looked somewhat disheveled.

In the past, she would have felt sorry for him, but now, she only felt annoyed.

Clark had not rushed back because he wanted to see her sooner. He was afraid she would expose Jordyn’s pregnancy scandal to the Sumners, affecting his position in the Sumner Group.

“Leave my house right now, or I will call the police.” As Nyla spoke, she reached for her phone on the bedside table.

Before she could dial, Clark snatched the phone away. He looked at her with a pained expression, as if she had committed an unforgivable offense. “Nyla, do you really despise me this much now?”

Nyla took a deep breath to calm herself. “This question is meaningless. Leave. I don’t want to see you.”

“I won’t leave. You’re my wife, and wherever you are, I’ll be there.”

Nyla frowned. She was about to speak, when her phone, gripped tightly in Clark’s hand, suddenly rang.

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Seeing it was a call from the hospital, Clark answered without hesitation.

“Ms. Jayston, please come to the hospital immediately. Your father has suddenly collapsed!”