Chapter 74

The research institute already harbored ill feelings toward Kathie.

Countless eyes were watching her every move. After taking just one day off,rumors had started, and she knew skipping another workday would only

fuel more vicious gossip.

She appreciated Jonathan's concern but couldn't possibly miss work.

Jonathan felt helpless-he could hardly tie her down to keep her home.

"In your condition, you shouldn't be driving. I'll have Ben take you.If you feel unwell at all, comne back immediately," he insisted.

Kathie laughed. "Mr. Berkeley, you sound just like a fussing mother."

Jonathan was speechless.

Never in his life had he cared so deeply for a woman, despite countless others who would have cherished such attention. Yet this obstinate Kathie had the audacity to compare him to a nagging mother.

Seeing his wounded expression, Kathie patted his shoulder. "I appreciate your concern. I'll give Ben the new formula. You stay home, rest,take your medicine on schedule, and don't wander around-understood?"

Jonathan frowned,feeling their roles had somehow reversed.

By the door, Ben turned away to suppress his laughter. In all his years working for Jonathan, he'd never seen his boss look so disgruntled.

Jonathan shot him a cold glance. "Ben, I saw that smile. Consider your bonus canceled this month."

Ben, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire, looked pleadingly at

Kathie-the only person who could handle Jonathan now.

"Don't take your frustration out on others," Kathie sighed. "Ben is here to drive us. How could we live with ourselves if he loses his bonus for helping us?"

Kathie signaled to her three children. Eileen approached Jonathan and took his large hand in her small one. "Seven is too kind to take away Ben's money. You're just joking, aren't you?"

Zachary joined in, "Seven is wonderful and helps us deal with bad people.He'd never really take Ben's money."

Kyle added, "I know Seven is just kidding, right?"

Jonathan gave Ben a meaningful smile. He was impressed-Ben had somehow won over all three children.

Kathie patted his shoulder again. "Better clarify quickly. What if Ben gets distracted thinking about his lost bonus while driving? You wouldn't want to make the children late for school."

Jonathan nodded reluctantly, gritting his teeth. "Ben is clever, knowing exactly where to find allies. They're right-I was only joking."

Ben smiled coolly. "I learned from Mr. Berkeley himself. Always good to have powerful protection."

Jonathan gave him a thumnbs up-his assistant was learning well.

Ben dropped the children at school before taking Kathie to the research institute.

Kathie wrote down detailed instructions for the new formula,concerned the men might botch the preparation process.

"Ben,you must follow these heating instructions precisely," she

emphasized.

"Don't worry, Dr. Cavendish. Your instructions are crystal clear. I've got this."

Kathie nodded, then reminded him to keep an eye on Jonathan,who needed proper rest.

As Ben dropped her at the institute entrance, Amelia arrived in her BMW.She was stunned to see Kathie stepping out of a limited-edition Maybach,chatting amicably with an attractive driver. Her mind immediately jumped to conclusions about how many men Kathie must be stringing along.

Amelia quickly snapped photos with her phone, eager to expose this supposedly high-minded Kathie for what she realy was.

After waving goodbye to Ben, Kathie turned and caught Amelia,staring at her with folded arms and a contemptuous expression.

Not wanting to engage, Kathie tried to walk past her, only to be blocked.

"WVith looks like yours, why even bother showing up to work?" Amelia sneered. "If I had your way with men, I'd be living in the lap of luxury by now."

Kathie gave her a withering look. "You're right. Too bad you weren't blessed with either looks or brains. Reminds me of that old saying..."

"What saying?" Amelia demanded coldly.

Kathie smiled sweetly. "The plainest faces hide the most vicious hearts.Not familiar with it? Perhaps you should read something besides the gossip columns."

Amelia's chest heaved with anger. "You'll regret this, Kathie."

"I'm ready whenever you are," Kathie retorted, pushing past her.She

couldn't fathom what she'd done to provoke such hostility from Amelia from day one.

Amelia glared at her retreating figure, determined to make her life miserable.

In the lab, Kathie immediately immersed herself in work, determined to catch up on what she'd missed.

She worked through the morning without even a water break, completing yesterday's tasks and preparing a data report for Henry's review.

Henry examined the results skeptically. "Dr. Cavendish, you've only worked half a day and you expect us to accept these figures? Do you think we're fools?"

Kathie frowned. "Dr. Stewart, as the data reviewer, shouldn't you read my experimental report before questioning its validity? Judging without examining seems rather unprofessional."

Henry slapped the report onto the table. "I asked you this morning-this is your first time conducting this experiment, correct?"

Kathie nodded. "Yes, it is. Is that a problem?"

Henry placed the report in front of her. "Our entire team spent a week generating this data. You claim to have done it in half a day. How could anyone believe that?"

"Dr.Stewart," Amelia smirked, "you have to understand-with so many wealthy patrons, she doesn't care about accurate data. She's just submitting something to look busy."

"Dr. Cavendish, this behavior is unacceptable. We had high expectations for you."

"This is a research institution, not a place for your games."

"If you can't handle this position. perhaps you should resign."

Others joined the chorus of criticism, none believing she could complete the task so quickly.

Kathie took a deep breath. "You've been prejudiced against me from day one. If you'd simply verify my results before condemning me, that would be fair. But you've already decided I couldn't possibly succeed."

Henry frowned. "Don't act like we're persecuting you. With ten years in medicine, I can confidently say this is impossible."

Kathie glared at him. "That only proves your limited expertise and careless review process. I refuse to work with such an unfair team."

She had only joined at Bradley's suggestion, but now faced with such closed-minded colleagues, she'd rather leave.

Her words were a direct insult to Henry's professional reputation.He silenced the rising murmurs.

"Since you claim we're unfair, let's settle this definitively. I'll review your experiment data right now, and we'll see if you still want to stay when I'm finished," Henry said.