Chapter 29: Go Back to Research

At five in the afternoon, Anna rolled back into the Regal Retreat.

Thinking about that whopping $140 million breach of contract penalty, she pulled out her phone and dialed a saved number.

With the time difference, it was around nine in the morning overseas.

The call connected. A warm, familiar voice came through. "Anna?"

Hearing that voice, Anna couldn't help but smile. "Daniel, you busy?"

There were some muffled voices on the other end, and then the sound of a door closing. Once the door shut, the background noise vanished.

"Not busy at all. Finally remembered you have a senior and friend here?" Daniel Foster chuckled, leaning against a lab table.

Anna grinned, standing by her bedroom window, gazing at the flowers outside. "How could I forget you?"

Daniel's smile grew, and he fiddled with his phone. "At least you’ve got some conscience. So, what made you think of me? Aren't you always with your Michael?"

Anna's eyes dimmed a bit, but her tone stayed light. "I need a favor."

"Just say it," Daniel replied. "I'll help you out."

Anna put the call on speaker, grabbed her laptop, and set it on her desk. As she powered it up, she said, "Daniel, I need some academic research files from my office computer. Can you send them to me?"

"No problem." Daniel headed to Anna's old office.

At the desk, he entered the password and casually asked, "Anna, didn't you go back to work? How do you still have time for research?"

Anna explained, "The workload at Radiant Life Hospital isn't heavy. I've got a lot of free time, so I thought I'd finish up those academic reports and get them published."

Daniel sent the files over. "Anna, check your inbox."

Anna logged in and started downloading the files Daniel sent. A progress bar popped up on the screen, showing the file transfer.

Through the phone, Daniel asked, "Anna, are you in some kind of trouble?"

Anna's fingers froze on the mouse for a second. Quickly, she recovered. "No, why do you ask?"

"Ten days ago, someone was all excited about going home to see her Michael. She ditched those reports she worked so hard on, saying she was done with academic research." Daniel glanced at the progress bar and added, "It's only been a few days, and now you're back to publishing papers. Anna, be real with me. Do you need money?"

Daniel and Anna had known each other for years abroad, sharing the same mentor during their master's and doctoral studies. They did research and medical experiments together. Daniel knew Anna's character inside out.

Before heading home, she had told him she probably wouldn't touch academic research for the next few years. She and Michael had been missing each other for years, and now that she was finally back, she wanted to make up for lost time.

Plus, Anna had only ever published papers to raise funds for the lab. So, Daniel figured the only reason she’d want to publish again was because she needed cash.

Anna's gentle voice came through the phone, "I've been abroad for so long, and now that I'm back, I feel kinda out of place."

After a pause, she added, "I probably won't need three years before I come back to you guys."

Daniel's grip tightened. "Anna, don't be so formal with me. How much is the penalty? I'll cover it for you."

Anna smiled but didn't agree. Instead, she said, "Daniel, I get a million bucks for publishing a paper. That penalty is nothing."

Daniel chuckled, "Thanks for the compliment."

The file transfer hit 100%. Daniel closed the computer and said, "Alright, you handle the penalty yourself. I won't interfere. But seriously, Anna, how much is it?"

Anna said, "One hundred and forty million dollars."

"One hundred and forty million dollars?" Daniel's voice shot up. "Anna, are you getting scammed?"

Daniel added, "Even selling you wouldn't be worth one hundred and forty million dollars!"

Anna felt a pang in her heart. "Alright, I'm hanging up. You get back to work!"

Daniel chuckled. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. By the way, Anna, the professor and I might be heading to Crystal City soon."

"Really? Got a date set?" Anna asked.

"Not yet, but it should be soon. The professor's worried about you being alone in Crystal City and insists on checking on you," Daniel said.

Daniel got up and walked out, adding, "There's an urgent drug research project here. Once we get the results, the professor and I will come over."

"Okay." Anna saved the files. The phone was still on speaker.

"I'll try to wrap things up in Crystal City as soon as possible. If everything goes well, I'll go back with you guys," Anna said.

This last part surprised Daniel a bit. He asked, "After you come back, will you return to Crystal City?"

"No," Anna said. "I have no family or friends here. I'm all alone. I'd rather go abroad and continue my academic research."

Daniel laughed. "Alright, when you come back, the professor and I will help you reach the pinnacle of medical science. You won't be lonely."

In the bedroom, as Anna and Daniel chatted, she didn't notice a corner of a black coat lingering outside the slightly ajar door.

In the adjacent study.

Charles sat behind the desk, radiating a cold aura. The room was dark, and a faint haze of smoke blurred his downcast eyes.

On the lit phone screen were the electronic versions of Anna's research materials from her years abroad. Charles skimmed through the familiar documents, his grip on the phone gradually turning white.

He had always known she didn't plan to stay here long-term. But he didn't expect her to be in such a hurry to leave.