She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 21

The car rolled out of campus and passed Leanna Yost, who looked rushed and anxious.

Still simmering, Quiana sat inside the cake shop on campus while Byron leaned in and soothed her in a low voice until she finally calmed down.

It didn’t last. One phone call shattered the fragile composure she’d just managed to pull together.

Leanna had gone to the lab and couldn’t find Quiana, so she called, her voice tight with urgency. “Why aren’t you in the lab? Bring the Nexo-7 and meet me. We’re going to Walsh Hospital.”

Quiana’s chest clenched. She started stumbling over her words. “Dr. Yost, the compound was just finished. I still need to observe whether the efficacy meets the standard. Why is this so urgent?”

Leanna frowned. “Didn’t you send me a photo the day before yesterday? I already confirmed it—that was the compound at its most perfect state. It looked about the same as what your previous lab mates produced. The efficacy won’t be a problem. Stop worrying and bring it to Walsh Hospital. Now.”

She emphasized it again. “This could make your career. Keep it safe. It’s worth tens of millions.”

Quiana hung up, her face drained of color. One look at her and Byron knew something was off. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” he said. “Leanna wants the compound, just take it to her. Don’t stress.”

Quiana hesitated, fingers knotting together. “B-Byron… is it really worth that much? Tens of millions? I didn’t know it was that valuable.”

What was she supposed to do? She stood up on unsteady legs and headed for the lab, racking her brain the entire way.

Then an idea hit her. No one had ever seen a truly high-purity version up close anyway. She could just change the color and deliver it. It would be administered to a patient. If it didn’t work, she could always say the patient was too sick and the drug’s effect wasn’t strong enough.

Her steps instantly felt lighter. She grabbed the fake vial she’d mixed up and went with Byron to Walsh Hospital to meet Leanna.

What she never expected was that Loyce would be there too, standing with a group of hospital directors and senior physicians.