ra''s nerves were buzzing with a mix of excitement and anxiety as she broached the topic. She


    couldn''t quite put her finger on why she felt this way, but the timing of the boss of Pris Star Lab


    showing up just seemed too perfect. Moreover, it was more than just a coincidence that she brought


    along crucial video footage andprehensive experimental data.


    The thought that this mystery boss hadpleted his experiments and prepared thoroughly before


    approaching Phoenix Lab filled ra with a sense of admiration. A person capable of such


    forethought was surely extraordinary.


    Mizar, with a grin spreading across his face, said, "Our boss goes by the code name Loadstar in the


    lab. If the name rings a bell, Ms. Schnabel, it''s probably because you''ve referenced her research in


    one of your own papers."


    Loadstar!


    In the scientificmunity, that name was legendary!


    To have published ten groundbreaking papers in leading journals, each one a masterpiece,


    Loadstar had almost be a temte for sess in their research circle.


    Having referenced Loadstar''s work in her own research, ra was more than familiar with her


    contributions; she was an unabashed fan.


    "Ms. Schnabel, our boss really admires your work too, and if you''re interested, we''d love to have


    you join ourb," Mizar added.


    ra was practically glowing with excitement. "Loadstar is my hero. Every one of his papers


    provides a eureka moment, sparking countless ideas. It''s fair to say that without her research, I


    wouldn''t be where I am today. Joining Loadstar''sb would be an honor, but for now, I must


    decline."


    Mizar raised an eyebrow. "If our boss is your idol, why would you turn down the chance to work in


    herb?"


    ra turned to nce at the sprawling campus behind her, a ce that held not just her


    responsibilities, but her convictions as well. Her gaze was steady and resolute, her voice full of


    confident determination.


    "Because my country needs me."


    "I stand corrected," Mizar conceded. "When our boss left, she mentioned that if Ms. Schnabel ever


    needs anything, you are wee at Pris Star for some cross-pollination of ideas. However, our


    boss won''t be in Emerald County for the next couple of days."


    "That''s wonderful, thank you! And... uh," ra stammered, slightly embarrassed, "next time, could


    you maybe get Loadstar''s autograph for me? I''m a huge fan!"


    Mizar promised earnestly and hung up the phone, immediately calling Noe.


    "Boss, your sister''s starting to suspect who you really are. Her smarts are clearly not from the same


    gene pool as the rest of your family; she''s too clever. If it weren''t for her sense of duty, I''d recruit her


    in a heartbeat! She even wants your autograph. Can you believe it?"


    Noe was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Had Mizar ever considered that Noe herself was also from the Schnabel family? When Mizar


    suggested that ra''s intelligence surpassed that of the Schnabels, was that an inadvertent insult


    to her?


    "If you''re angling for a demotion to janitor at the Obelisk Organization, just say so."


    "Boss, goodbye!"


    Meanwhile, ra, content with the conversation, returned to theb, where Jacob was busy with a


    centrifuge and vials. He looked up at her with a hint of annoyance. "Where have you been, racing


    around like that?"


    "Do you know the head of Pris Star Lab, Boss?"


    "Are you kidding me? Who in research doesn''t? Do you think Pris Star could maintain such an


    esteemed international status if their leader was anything less than brilliant?"


    "The country didn''t try to recruit her?"


    Jacob cast aplicated nce at ra. "They tried, many times. But she said ourb was too


    primitive, and that research wasn''t her entire life. She refused. You remember the sessful


    amphibious transport technology from a few months ago, right? That was based on her research."


    In other words, their equipment was basically antiquatedpared to hers.


    Phoenix Lab''s research focus had nothing to do with amphibious transport technology, so their data


    hade from Loadstar!


    ra''s eyes sparkled. "No wonder she''s my idol!"


    Jacob shook his head, focusing back on his samples. "She''s impressive, but you''re no slouch. With


    your talent, you''ll go far."


    It was the first time Jacob hadplimented her since she joined Phoenix Lab. ra stepped back,


    wary.


    "Boss, act normal, will you? You''re old enough to be my dad! That''s not on. Your career might be


    winding down, but I''ve got a bright future ahead. I''m going to be a leading scientist one day! I have


    zero interest in older men, just so you know!"


    Unable to contain his frustration, Jacob barked, "Get out! I can''t stand to be in the sameb as you!"


    ra retreated, her heart settling down as she tapped her chest in relief. "That''s more like it. You


    complimenting me out of the blue had me worried. When things don''t add up, it usually means


    trouble''s afoot!"


    As she skipped out of theb, Jacob''s expression softened into something more solemn and


    introspective. He pulled out an old pocket watch and opened it to reveal a faded photograph.


    If it weren''t for the clear signs of age, anyone could mistake the woman in the photo for ra in


    some vintage mour shot.


    Jacob''s fingers gently traced the face in the photo as he whispered to himself with a bittersweet


    smile.


    "Yvette, what if I tell her the truth? Will she resent me? The Schnabels treat her like a gem, and I...


    how should I proceed? She''s doing great, better than we ever imagined our child would be. She is


    intelligent, mature, and also quite endearing."


    ra''s recent words, that she was different and not a child of the Schnabels, hit Jacob like a punch


    to the gut, leaving him breathless with pain.


    The woman in the photo, with her distinctively curved eyebrows and a beauty mark just like ra''s,


    reminded one of a crescent moon in the sky.


    But for Jacob, his moon would remain forever a crescent, its fullness an impossibility, leaving him


    without answers.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ...


    At Imperial West Hospital, Marcel gripped his cane tightly as he frowned down at Ashlyn, who was


    lying in a hospital bed, her mind clouded and distant.


    Calvin stood beside him. "General, she can''t string a full sentence together and is quite out of it. I''m


    afraid she won''t be able to answer any of your questions."


    "When will she recover?"


    "We''re doing our best, but her dementia is severe. She doesn''t recognize anyone anymore. Maybe


    it''s best if you head home, General."


    Marcel didn''t get the truth he was seeking, which edged him with frustration. However, watching


    Ashlyn’s rambling and disoriented state also stirred impatience within him.


    After so many years, his rtionship with this person had deteriorated to mutual disdain.


    Ashlyn mumbled incoherently, as if trapped in a loop. "My son... It''s my son... All mine..."


    With Tristan''s support, Marcel rose and left the hospital room.


    "If Yvonne is indeed her granddaughter, look into who her son is."


    "Yes, I''ll get right on it."


    Tristan hesitated but finally asked, "Dad, who is my mother, really?"


    Marcel closed his eyes, a bitter taste creeping up his throat. When he opened them again, his gaze


    was as sharp and resolute as an eagle''s, his presencemanding and authoritative.


    "Go find Merrick. I need to get to the bottom of this!"


    "Alright, I''ll contact him right away. Oh, he says he''s off to the ind for a getaway, looking for


    inspiration for his new book, and won''t be home."