The Runaway Groom
Chapter 515

Chapter 515

Irene sharply noticed that Dr. Pitt was not being exactly friendly, andshe turned toward Dr. Kramer-the other Mead Clinic representative-witha quizzical look.

"Hotmesh Research just published a research paper with our researchdata and made it available globally," Dr. Kramer said.

"What?!" Irene exclaimed while trying to keep herself composed.

Dr. Pitt was staring sharply at her regardless. "You didn't know?"

"I didn't," Irene calmly replied.

“Is that so?” Dr. Pitt was clearly suspicious, and kept probing. "Didn'tyou sneak off with the key portions of our research data and give it toHotmesh?"

She stared closely at Irene’s face, because if it were Irene, she woulddefinitely turn nervous or react.

However, Irene was an excellent doctor, and naturally had thecomposure to keep herself together.

Looking Dr. Pitt in the eye, she said, "I didn't.”

Dr. Pitt did not give up just yet. “I remembered asking you to compileour research data, and you would have everything in your possessionat the time. That is when you could extract the key parts and bring themhere.”

Irene remained at ease. "I would never do that."

“You're Zidonian. You have every reason to do that," Dr. Pitt pointedout. "But I'm a doctor at the Mead Clinic before that. I've said as muchbefore-'

"Dr. Tanner, you did not follow the script at the forum today, andeverything you said was clearly leaning in favor of Zidonia. There's aninternal investigation being conducted as we speak, and we'll replace outwhat happened soon enough.”

Irene’s hands clenched at her sides just then and Dr. Pitt noticed it. Hergaze darkened-Irene was clearly feeling guilty.

Dr. Pitt heaved a deep sigh just then.

Though she felt sympathy, she could not afford to be lenient-evenperspective mattered when it came to compassion.

It was the way of the world.

If one was unable to change it due to their own weakness, they just hadto fulfill their own role.

"Dr. Pitt, I..."

Dr. Pitt's phone rang just then, and she answered it.

Her expression turned grim after she listened to the other person, andshe even slid a glance at Irene before answering, "Understood."

“Yes, I'll get it done.”

"Yeah."

Her tone was solemn, and when she hung up, she put away her phonein silence for a long while before turning to Irene. "They are done withthe internal investigation over there, but it seems that you are innocent.I'm sure I have been a little harsh, so please don't hold it against me."Irene was actually confused right then.

There was no doubt that she had used Dr. Pitt's clearance to gather theresearch data...

How did the internal investigation come up short?

Was someone helping her?

"Well, I haven't had my dinner, so you two are joining me," Dr. Pitt said,rising to her feet.

They all headed to the hotel's restaurant.

While Dr. Pitt left for the washroom, Irene asked Dr. Kramer, "When didHotmesh publish the data?"

"Didn't you check your phone?" Dr. Kramer asked in return, but Irenecertainly did not.

“We only found out after we were called about it. I mean, we are theleading research center for cardiovascular diseases, but Hotmeshsomehow beat US to publish that data. What is that if not a slap on ourcollective faces? Can we even maintain our reputation from now on?"Irene lowered her gaze. "Yeah," she agreed.

She had never expected Hotmesh Research to publish the papers rightaway.

Instead, she was hoping that they would use the data given to further develop the fullyartificial heart concept

She was actually disappointed that things had turned out like this-being the first to develop anartificial heart mattered less than actually

developing it successfully to save people, so that Zidonia did not need to be dependent onanother country.

She knew that Isaac had already become a shareholder of Mead Clinic, but she risked it andstole the data anyway just so that Zidonia could develop their own artificial heart with thedata.

Isaac's stake might mean rebates, but that would stil be limited.

And no rebate would ever trump the confidence of having the technology themselves and notbeing subservient to others.

Hotmesh's announcement would only serve to make every other country wary about keepingtheir own medical research and development to themselves-nothing good would come of itirene sighed lengthily.