Chapter 723
Orval was fuming inside but kept his mouth shut. He was in this for his own survival, and for the money too, so he led Charlotte into the restricted archives room.
“These are the files left behind by the A1 Research Institute,” Orval said, pointing to a folder on the table.
“The person who met with them was the former director. He died twenty years ago. No one really knows what happened.”
Charlotte opened the folder and spotted a few old photos. She recognized her mother instantly.
Standing beside her mom were a few people in white lab coats. Probably her coworkers.
The drug they had developed was labeled “D.” Other than the name, its ingredients, and the production notes, there wasn’t much else.
“Who was this drug meant for?” she asked, her eyes never leaving the documents.
Orval just shrugged. He clearly had no idea.
“The last director cut off that line of inquiry. No one but him ever knew the truth.”
He hesitated, then added, “But the person who ordered the drug was someone powerful. Mysterious, too. I heard rumors they were from Solenia.”
Solenia? That caught Charlotte’s attention. Her hand stilled as she flipped through the file.
Solenia pretty much had its fingers in everything around the world, but following that lead was at least easier than chasing shadows everywhere.
At least this trip hadn’t been a waste.
Charlotte snapped photos of all the documents, then turned to Orval. “I’ll do the separation experiment for you now,” she said quietly.
Half an hour later, she was done.
She handed Orval the results, along with the extracted material.
Orval stared in disbelief all over again.
“Ever think about working in my lab? I can pay you really well,” he said.
“How well?”
Charlotte glanced down at her
phone,
Anthostracted for a moment.
Anthony had replied to her Just seeing his name
nerves.
“I’m talking a million a year,” Orval offered.
ber
Charlotte shot him a look, unimpressed. She didn’t bother responding. She just
turned and walked away.
A million? That was just insulting.
“Charlotte, we’ve got a new job,”
Adonis called out, jogging to keep up with her. “The client wants
Asclepius. This guy’s a big deal andy the money is…. let’s just say, hard to say no to.”
Charlotte slipped into the car and rolled down the window. She gazed outside, a little lost in thought.
Across the street, a man sat in his car, smoking. The way he held the cigarette reminded her of Anthony.
But he wasn’t nearly as good looking.
He must have felt her eyes on him, because he drove off pretty quickly.
Watching his car disappear, Charlotte let out a long breath. She couldn’t help but feel ridiculous.
It’d only been a day since she left, and she was already seeing Anthony everywhere.
“How tempting is this offer?” she asked, but her heart wasn’t really in it. She could only think about Anthony.
Adonis grinned. “The client’s a governor from Solenia. He says you can name your price.”
Charlotte finally looked over, her expression suddenly serious.
A governor from Solenia? Even the biggest organizations had to show him some respect.
But with all the top doctors he could hire, why did he want her?
“Apparently, his wife’s health is
failing.
nothie’s tried everyone else, but
worked. That’s why he’s
coming to you swhovels