Chapter 20
Chapter 20:
Stacey was overwhelmed by regret. She never imagined that the formula Rylie had effortlessly created could be so precious. Back then, determined to outdo Rylie in everything, she let her pride override reason, thinking that she could definitely produce what that “idiot” Rylie could make, and rashly promised Vivian that she could produce the Nexo-7.
Yet, despite locking herself away in the lab, Stacey had failed miserably, exhausting all the materials that Vivian had provided without creating the Nexo-7. Now, all she had was a questionable half-finished substance.
She had confidently informed Leland about her progress, even sending him photographic proof of a seemingly high-quality compound that she had created during long, sleepless nights in the lab.
Leland reassured her gently, saying, “You’ve done impressive work. The purity level looks excellent. It’ll be fine, Stacey — I believe in you p>
Now, Stacey was trapped by her own deception, and her anxiety intensified until her hands trembled uncontrollably. Admitting that she had never created the Nexo-7 would mean surrendering her dignity and admitting inferiority to Rylie. How would she face Leland and Vivian afterward? What choice did she have?
Standing abruptly, Stacey hurried toward the lab, desperately searching for an escape.
Suddenly, inspiration struck her. Nobody knew exactly what high-purity Nexo-7 should look like — she could simply alter the color and present it as authentic.
If questioned later, she could blame the treatment’s failure on the patient’s severity rather than her formula.
Relief flooded Stacey’s tense frame. Confident in her new plan, she collected the fake compound and hurriedly left for VitaLink Hospital with Leland. However, what Stacey hadn’t anticipated was encountering Rylie at VitaLink Hospital, comfortably conversing among senior hospital directors and doctors.
Vivian beamed with pride, pulling Stacey forward. “Meet Stacey Kirk, a prodigy in medical research — my own student and the mastermind behind the Nexo7 serum. She played a pivotal role in Rylie’s last formulation, and this new version is even more refined. It’s perfectly safe for Mr. Morgan, and the benefits will only increase with use p>
With a raised brow, Rylie let her words hang in the air. “Is that so? I suppose I should see for myself just how flawless Stacey’s serum really is.” At that moment, Brad was elsewhere, catching up with an old comrade in one of the private rooms, leaving Rylie to oversee things on her own.
Stacey’s knuckles turned white as she forced a smile, her nails digging into her palms. “Of course, Rylie and I are family, after all. It’s only natural that our research would reflect one another’s skills p>
Leland, standing at the edge of the group, let out a scornful laugh. “You don’t have to sugarcoat it, Stacey. Everyone knows Rylie’s been taking credit for your breakthroughs p>
Rylie couldn’t help but marvel at his foolishness. She had aced that difficult exam, yet here he was, still convinced that she had cheated and copied Stacey’s work.
She cut the tension with a brisk command, saying, “Let’s see the serum, then. Bring it out p>
A trace of doubt flickered across Stacey’s face, but she remembered — no one here but Rylie could ever achieve a high-purity result. Gaining some composure, she insisted, “For the sake of the patient, Rylie, we should administer the serum without any unnecessary delay p>