The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never
Chapter 1545

Judy turned to Hannah and looped her arm through hers, suggesting, “Let’s celebrate with some barbecue tonight.

I know this new restaurant nearby that’s supposed to be amazing!”

“Sounds perfect,” Hannah agreed with a smile.

“It’s my treat.

”

“Hannah, you are a gem!” Judy exclaimed, enveloping Hannah in an exaggerated hug.

She turned to Lewis and asked, “Hannah’s treating tonight.

Do you want to join us?”

Lewis nodded.

“I can’t say no to a free meal.

”

Glancing at Stella and Phoenix, he asked, “What about you two? Are you coming?”

At that moment, Stella had already packed up, her coat dr@ped over her arm.

“No thanks.

You guys go ahead.

”

As Stella left, Phoenix offered a gentle smile and replied, “Have fun.

I’ll sit this one out.

”

In the end, only Judy, Lewis, and two other girls ended up going to the barbecue joint.

As they settled into their seats, Judy couldn’t help but vent, “Honestly, since you left, our lab’s efficiency has taken a nosedive.

Because of this, Mr.

Campbell keeps drawing comparisons between you and us.

There were some hiccups in our research for a while, and he was pretty upset about it.

”

Puzzled, Hannah asked, “But you are just as competent as I am.

How could there have been any issues?”

“Don’t sell yourself short.

Your departure showed us that you were the only one who could keep pace with Mr.

Campbell’s train of thought.

We have a long way to go to match you.

”

“If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.

Don’t you agree, Lewis?”

Judy added, casting a glance at him with a sigh.

Lewis simply shrugged.

“Well, I’m not the brightest in the research institute.

However, Phoenix has taken the brunt of Mr.

Campbell’s ire more times than I can count.

”

“Phoenix got scolded by Saul?” Hannah raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised, “But his research work has rarely had any problems.

”

A junior colleague piped up, “We all got an earful last time, but Phoenix got the worst of it! We were on the brink of success, and one slip-up from Phoenix brought the whole project crashing down.

Mr.

Campbell stepped in to salvage the situation, taking full responsibility for the error, which is why Phoenix managed to keep his position here.

”

Hannah hadn’t heard about this from Saul before, and it made her pause in contemplation.

Judy nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, it was quite the ordeal at the time.

But with you being overseas, it’s understandable that you don’t know about it.

”

When the meat arrived, Lewis grabbed a plate and silently served everyone.

As the meat hit the grilling plate, it let out a satisfying sizzle, filling the air with its

mouthwatering aroma.

With each passing moment, the tension melted away, and the group grew more at ease.

Seizing the opportunity, Hannah asked, “So, what happened with the final project?”

Judy let out a heavy sigh, propping her chin up with her hand.

“Unfortunately, it had to be scrapped.

There was just no other option.

We couldn’t let Mr.

Campbell shoulder the burden of that loss alone.

Times were tough, the institute’s funding was dwindling, and expenses were mounting.

Each of us pitched in 500, @00.

It might have seemed like a drop in the bucket, but it made a difference.

”

Glancing teasingly at Lewis, Hannah couldn’t resist a playful jab.

“It must have been a breeze for everyone else to come up 500, 000, but I bet you struggled with that, didn’t you?”

Lewis pursed his lips, his expression serious.

“Don’t underestimate me, Hannah.

My father’s debts have long been settled, and Mr.

Campbell generously covered my mother’s medical expenses.

I have managed to save up quite a bit over the years.

Contributing wasn’t as tough for me as it was for them!”

Judy awkwardly ran her hand through her hair, nodding in agreement.

“It’s true.

Lewis might not seem like the dependable type, but he was the first to contribute the money.

”