Chapter 19
Chapter 19:
A smile slid off his face, and his gaze turned ice-cold. “I could insist on partnering with you—even Brayden wouldn’t be able to stop me,” he said, voice flat.
Had he not learned about her nerve-regeneration technology, he would have taken her for someone meek and fragile. Never had he suspected the unassuming Gracie could command such ability.
A hot anger rose in Gracie, but remembering the ruthless moves he’d made in her past life, she decided to change tack. “All right—prove you’re serious, and then we’ll talk,” she replied, cold and measured.
Because he was so determined to come to her, she welcomed the chance to hasten his ruin.
Theo was taken aback by her sudden shift in tone, as if she’d turned into someone entirely different. “Are you serious p>
“I’ve reconsidered,” she said evenly. “Funding isn’t something to take lightly. Much as I despise you, no sane person walks away from profit. If you can cover the costs for the experiment, I’ll work with you p>
Theo’s expression flickered, indecision tightening his jaw before he finally said, “Fine. We’ll go with that p>
He spun on his heel and walked away.
Jeffrey stepped out of the ward to find night had already fallen—it was ten. The moment he spotted Gracie waiting, his eyes went cold. “I’m honestly shocked you haven’t left. Your research and technology are remarkable, but I refuse to work with someone whose integrity is in doubt p>
Gracie rose from her seat, her tone composed but urgent. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn’t explain myself clearly earlier. This investment means everything to my team’s work—I just don’t want to lose this opportunity p>
After glancing down the hallway to make sure no one was around, she lowered her voice. “Please give me five minutes of your time p>
Though Jeffrey’s opinion of her was far from favorable, the potential of the nerve regeneration project was too great to ignore.
They stepped over to the window, where Gracie laid out the lab’s current challenges and the vision that had driven her from the beginning. Her expression turned grave as she met his gaze.
“You may not be aware of this, Mr. Lawson,” she said quietly. “The attack at tonight’s conference wasn’t random—it was meant for you p>
“What—did I hear that right p>
Gracie met his stunned look with quiet confidence. “You’re a clever man. Instead of taking my word for it, why not investigate on your own? You’ll soon understand p>
She chose not to lay everything bare. A man who had wielded power for years wouldn’t be swayed by a few whispered warnings; he would only believe the truth once he investigated it himself.
By the time Gracie made it home, the city lights had dimmed to a sleepy glow.
She carried the contract into the residence Theo shared with Ellie.
Ellie was nowhere in sight—only Theo sat waiting on the single sofa, his posture relaxed yet deliberate, eyes assessing her with the same scrutiny one might give a specimen under a lens.
“I brought the contract,” Gracie said as she stepped forward, her tone calm but firm.
Theo accepted it with a faint smile and began reading, each page turned with unhurried precision. Minutes slipped past before he finally reached the last page.