Chapter 38
Chapter 38:
“Understood, sir p>
Gracie slipped into her lab coat, only to notice Phoebe still lingering by her workstation.
“What’s wrong?” Gracie asked, pausing by the table.
Phoebe’s brow furrowed. “It looks like Mr. Lawson’s budget might be drying up. The equipment purchase alone cost thirty million, and the remaining ten million was supposed to sustain us till the year’s second half. But now, with the accelerated testing to break through within two weeks, we’re burning through materials dozens of times faster. We’re nearly out of funds p>
Breakthroughs were always costly—plans rarely survived the pace of discovery.
Gracie’s brows knitted tightly. “Mr. Lawson just injected funds. There’s little chance of another round anytime soon. Get back to work. I’ll find a solution p>
By noon, a catering team arrived at Radiant Technologies, carrying elegantly packaged meals from an upscale restaurant.
Phoebe’s eyes widened as she read the label, her throat tightening. “Are you sure you got the right address? This must’ve cost a fortune p>
Even with Jeffrey’s backing, the company had to count every expense. Their usual meal budget was thirty dollars per person—but this delivery was clearly far beyond that.
The restaurant manager gestured for his staff to set the boxes neatly on the reception counter, then gave Phoebe a courteous smile. “No mistake, ma’am. Everything’s paid for. Please enjoy your meal p>
With that, he turned and departed with his team.
After hours of nonstop work, Gracie and her team made their way to the conference room. The moment she opened the door, a wave of mouthwatering aroma filled the air, instantly cutting through their fatigue.
“Wow, that smells incredible! Did Gracie upgrade our food budget p>
Exclusive content available at gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s․com
“I wasn’t even hungry five seconds ago, but now I could eat twice as much p>
Gracie scanned the beautifully arranged dishes, her gaze falling on the restaurant’s logo emblazoned across the containers. One glance told her this wasn’t from their usual vendor.
She stepped back out and found Phoebe in the hallway. “What’s this about p>
“Right after your husband left, the delivery arrived,” Phoebe explained. “They said he covered two weeks in advance p>
Through the glass panel, Gracie could see her team laughing, delighted by the surprise.
She sighed and pulled out her phone, dialing Brayden’s number. Two rings later, he answered.
“Did you send these meals? You know I can’t afford to repay you p>
“I’m aware,” he said evenly. “Consider it repayment for the last time you helped me—and besides, we’re supposed to look like a loving couple, remember p>
Even if it was all just for appearances, Gracie thought this was far too extravagant. From the packaging alone, each meal must have cost several thousand dollars.
“Let’s skip the pleasantries,” she said coolly. “What do you actually want p>
“I’m interested in your research,” Brayden replied without hesitation. “Why not let me be part of it p>
Her expression turned glacial. “So this is it—you want a share of the project. And if I say no, you’ll pressure me into it p>
For a long time, she had believed Brayden wasn’t like Theo—that he was better, steadier. But now, she saw the same hunger for control, the same ruthless ambition beneath the charm.
Charlie, standing quietly off to the side, tensed. It was the first time he’d ever seen anyone speak to Brayden in that tone.