Chapter 520

[When did Hotmesh publish the data?] [Didn't you check your phone?] [We only found out after we were called about it. I mean, we are the leading research center for cardiovascular diseases, but Hotmesh somehow beat us to publish that data. What is that if not a slap on our collective faces? Can we even maintain our reputation from now on?] [Yeah.] … [Is that milk… spiked?] [You catch on quick. Yes, I spiked it—the caller just now insisted that I bring you in. The investigation concluded that you were the one who stole our data, and if I don't bring you in, my whole career would be over. This is my only option if I don't want to be fired before my retirement.] [Give up already. I knew you're sharp, so I kept the dosage at a level where you'd never notice until you lost consciousness completely.] … The lip-reading script was enough for Isaac to get the picture—Irene must have stolen vital research data from Mead Clinic, and was covertly taken back to Minerva. The world certain