The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 557

The next day at noon, Winona stopped by the hospital to visit Mr. Harper.

Having already reviewed the data she sent over, he was ecstatic. "I knew I made the right call. Putting you in charge of the ADC project was the best decision I've made all year."

Dean Ziegler happened to walk in and caught the tail end of the conversation. Hearing how quickly the ADC project was advancing, a pang of bitter envy hit him.

Giselle's PD-1 project had completely stalled out. But because Sylvan Scully was backing her, Ziegler's hands were tied. He couldn't swap her out for another three months.

He couldn't help but vent his frustrations to Mr. Harper.

Mr. Harper scoffed. "If the PD-1 project tanks, Sylvan has no one to blame but himself. He ignored actual scientific competency just to play nepotism with his darling daughter. Does he think biotech is a game?"

Dean Ziegler sighed heavily and turned to Winona. "Winona, if things really hit a wall, would you be willing to step in as a consultant on the project?"

Winona had zero interest in cleaning up Giselle's messes. "Professor Ziegler, my schedule is completely maxed out. I really can't help."

Ziegler sighed again, feeling like the universe was out to get him.

Because the next phase of the ADC project required single-cell sequencing and their current lab equipment wasn't up to par, Winona and Mr. Harper discussed acquiring new machines.

"I actually ordered a new batch of equipment before I ended up in here," Mr. Harper said. "Since I can't go, I need you and Killian to head down to the supplier's factory the day after tomorrow to run the quality assurance tests."

"Will do," Winona agreed.

"I'll tag along," Dean Ziegler chimed in. "I can help you both evaluate the specs."

For once, Mr. Harper didn't argue. "If you're going, I can sleep easy. I'll buy you a drink when I'm discharged."

Ziegler laughed. "Forget the drink. Just loan me Winona when you're done. We really need her over on our end."

"Don't push your luck. Hands off my student," Mr. Harper fired back flatly.

Unfazed, Ziegler chuckled, joked around a bit more, and then walked out of the hospital with Winona.

At the entrance, Ziegler turned to her, his tone turning serious. "Winona, please reconsider my offer. Having a major PD-1 project on your resume would be a massive boost for your career trajectory."

Winona politely declined again. Ziegler looked disappointed but didn't press the issue further.

*

Thursday morning, Winona and Killian arrived at the supplier's manufacturing facility to test the new hardware.

Dean Ziegler arrived shortly after.

The centrifuge destabilized violently. The lid blew off with a deafening crack, the metal slamming directly into her leg.

The screech of the failing machinery and Giselle's piercing scream brought the entire floor to a standstill.

The engineer sprinted over and hit the emergency kill switch.

Seeing blood pouring out of a deep gash on Giselle's leg and her face drained of color, Sylvan panicked. He scooped her up and sprinted for the exit.

Anxious about the liability, Dean Ziegler hurried after them.

Only then did Killian notice the blood trickling down Winona's arm. She had been hit by a piece of flying shrapnel from the centrifuge.

"Winona, you're bleeding. Let's get to the hospital."

Feeling the sharp sting, Winona nodded and let Killian drive her to the ER.

After getting her arm disinfected and bandaged, she and Killian were walking out when they ran into a frantic Sylvan in the hallway.

"Giselle's artery was severed! She's lost too much blood and needs a transfusion immediately, but the hospital is completely out of Type A blood! Both of you, go to the lab and get tested to see if you're a match right now!"