After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 92

After the ambulance left, Aria didn't linger and headed straight for the research institute.

Watching Aria's retreating figure, Eveline couldn't help but say, "I didn't expect Aria to actually have some skill... Son, it seems like your grandfather likes her now, too. What about you?"

Gideon curled his fingers, a weariness appearing in his eyes for the first time. "She doesn't love me."

***

After restarting the project, the first thing Aria did was reassign the team members' roles.

"What? We have to start over? Why? Can't we use the previous research?"

"Do you know that Hazel's team has already started developing the final version of their miracle drug? If we can't release ours before them, what's the point?"

"Yeah, the first to develop it gets all the credit. A second version is just an improvement. It's a huge difference!"

After hearing the news, the team members were full of complaints.

"There are problems with Hazel's drug. We just need to focus on doing our job right."

Aria paused, then added, "Or, if you have other projects, you're free to join other teams. Whether you stay or go is up to you."

The initial prep work was something she had already finalized. Now it was just a matter of improving the formula. If they were lucky, they could see results within three months.

But if some people weren't willing, Aria wouldn't force them to stay.

The team members looked at each other, momentarily unsure of what to choose.

"Is everyone here?" Flora pushed open the lab door. Seeing Aria, she smiled. "I heard you're getting ready to develop the drug?"

Aria's face was blank. "What are you doing here?"

Hearing the young woman, Flora glanced at Aria, looking her up and down. "I'm surprised you still have followers."

Not to be outdone, Aria retorted, "There's a lot you can't imagine. You really think you're some all-knowing prophet? You're delusional."

Flora's face stiffened. "Aria, don't you forget. You didn't look like this back when you were begging at my feet like a dog."

Charles wasn't here, so Flora didn't need to pretend anymore.

"If you piss me off, you won't like the consequences!"

Aria wasn't scared anymore. She stared back at Flora. "Aren't you just fuming helplessly right now? You don't actually think you can still corner and bully me in some alley like you used to, do you?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Aria pulled a contract from her desk and handed it to Flora. "Forgot to mention, Hazel's project belongs to Flourish Dominion, and I'm the sole person in charge. Even if she wants to release this drug, if I don't agree, she'd be breaking the law."