Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 344: The High Ground 2

The investor didn't wait for Jane to explain. He had already made up his mind, and his words cut straight to the bone.

"It makes sense now. I haven't heard of you having any real academic breakthroughs because you’re too busy playing hostess and chasing checks. You clearly couldn't hack it in the lab, so you’ve been relegated to the sidelines."

The comment didn't just strip away Jane’s dignity; it insulted her new boss for his lack of judgment. The investor spared them both a look of pure contempt.

"One of you is a reject, and the other is too dense to realize you shouldn't be harassing a national research team during their victory banquet. Working with people like you is a liability. As for the investment, forget it."

He turned on his heel and walked out without looking back. Jane’s boss panicked, abandoning his pride to chase after the man, leaving Jane frozen in the lobby.

She stared at the closed doors of the Grand Suite. The muffled sound of laughter drifted out, and she finally broke. If she hadn't let her ego run wild, if she hadn't tried to use her minor connections to strong-arm the project, she would be in that room right now. She would be one of the people raising a glass.

Her boss returned a moment later, his face red with fury. He dragged her into a corner and hissed, "You told me you were the best at handling investors! Now I see the truth. Those people weren't interested in you, Jane. They were interested in Nancy’s project!"

He poked a finger toward her face, his voice trembling with rage. "They liked the platform you stood on, not you. Without Nancy, you’re nothing!"

He shoved her aside. "I don't have room for dead weight, especially not stupid dead weight. Pack your things. You’re finished."

The last of Jane’s defenses collapsed. She didn't even try to maintain a professional front as she stood in the middle of the restaurant and began to sob.

…

Behind the heavy mahogany doors of the suite, it was a different world.

"To national recognition! Cheers!"

The sound of clinking glasses filled the room as Nancy and her team celebrated. Whether their glasses held wine or juice, the joy was the same. There was no corporate posturing here, only the shared relief of people who had fought for the same goal.

Looking at the partners surrounding her, Nancy felt a weight lift. The Peacemaker project had finally grown from a fragile seedling that required her constant protection into a self-sustaining entity. From here, the work would become a streamlined process. Systematic testing, refining the formula, and moving toward clinical trials. The hardest part of the journey was behind them.

Nancy had a few drinks, and a soft flush crept into her cheeks.

"Do you have some kind of secret health routine?" the project assistant asked, leaning in with a curious smile. "Back when you were running this solo, you looked exhausted. Now that you're leading a whole team, you actually look better than ever."

"I agree," another researcher added. "When I first met you, I thought you were too thin. You look much healthier now, not nearly as fragile as before."

"We spend all day in the lab and feel like we're being drained dry," a third chimed in.

Nancy’s hand instinctively went to the sports watch Barry had given her. A small smile played on her lips. She thought of a certain someone who insisted on dragging her to the training base every morning, pulling her out of bed for dawn workouts and arranging every meal through Goodman Corp’s nutritionists.

Nancy waved a hand grandly. "The secret is exercise! And it helps to find a workout partner who is as reliable as they are annoying."

She grew more animated as she spoke. "Once the vaccine starts turning a profit, I’m buying us our own building. We’ll move the lab in, and I’ll build a private gym and a high-end cafeteria just for us!"

If anyone else had said it, it would have sounded like a hollow corporate promise. But coming from Nancy, the team’s eyes lit up.

"Long live Nancy! We’re holding you to that building!"

"I’ve never had anyone offer to buy me a building... Nancy, marry me!"

The banquet ended in a blur of laughter and high spirits. No one there would ever forget the night. And as far as they had come, they didn't yet realize this was only the beginning. There would be many more victories, each grander than the last.

…

After the party wound down, Nancy walked to the front desk, slightly lightheaded, and pulled out her card to settle the bill.

The receptionist didn't take the card. Instead, she offered a polite smile and handed Nancy an elegant black gold card engraved with a delicate crane and cloud pattern.