She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 434

The institute was located in a remote area, and Melanie had brought along a paper map just in case she lost cell service.

So far, the van hadn't strayed from the correct route. They were definitely driving along the main highway toward the facility.

The night grew thick and heavy.

The scenery beyond the windows slowly shifted from urban sprawl to dense mountain forests.

Massive silhouettes of mountains flashed past Melanie's eyes, quickly vanishing into the rearview.

They were fast approaching Ravencrest Mountain.

Still, in the dead of night, even warring factions likely wouldn't choose this hour for a firefight.

But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Melanie dismissed it.

For these local armed syndicates, the cover of darkness was probably the perfect time for illicit activities.

Suddenly, a chilling thought hit her.

Out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by pitch-black woods—if they decided to traffic her, she wouldn't even know which way to run.

A suffocating wave of dread washed over her. She leaned toward Dr. Hayes.

"By the way, Dr. Hayes, who booked our flights? Why didn't we catch an earlier one?"

If they had taken an earlier flight, it wouldn't have been this impossibly dark by the time they entered the Ravencrest Mountain area.

"Aria handled the bookings," Dr. Hayes replied casually. "The earlier flights were probably sold out."

Hearing Aria's name from Dr. Hayes only intensified the terrible sinking feeling in Melanie's gut.

"Don't tell me... the person who suggested our core team come to MD for a field inspection... was also Aria?"

"Yeah, it was!"

Dr. Hayes nodded, completely oblivious to the rising panic on Melanie's face.

"Aria was the first one to bring it up. At the time, it was just a rumor, so I didn't pay it much mind. Later on, when a lot of industry insiders started paying attention—they even mentioned it at that summit you attended! So, Aria brought it up again. She suggested I take you guys down here to check it out personally. If this mutated strain really has miraculous properties, it could be a game-changer for the cold medicine we're developing."

"And the local association here in MD... Aria was the one who contacted them too?"

"Yeah, why?"

Dr. Hayes looked at Melanie in confusion.

The man she addressed blinked, a muscle twitching at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, that... it's fine. Going pretty smooth."

"I see..."

Melanie went completely quiet.

A cold dread settled in her chest, but she forced herself to remain outwardly calm.

These men were absolutely not from the MD Medical Association.

She had just set a trap, and he walked right into it.

The medical association in MD had never conducted any research on pediatric autism.

Yet, instead of correcting her, the man had played along.

It was definitive proof: these guys knew absolutely nothing about the association.

"Ah... ouch... my stomach..."