“…Let’s hear what you have to say first.”
“Thank you for understanding, Professor.”
Having organized her thoughts, Hwalyeon continued calmly.
“But before that, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Do you plan to announce the new drug under HS’s name?”
Jaehyun’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. They trembled slightly.
Unable to answer easily, Jaehyun bowed his head. In truth, he had been so focused on the success of the new drug he was developing that he hadn’t thought about what would happen afterward. No, it would be more accurate to say he was deliberately avoiding it.
What happened to HS in the past was because of the new drug created by his father and the researchers. When side effects occurred after administering it to patients, it brought indelible disgrace to HS. It was a wound that couldn’t be erased no matter how much time passed.
How could he proudly announce a new drug under HS’s name? Jaehyun bit his lip until it bled.
“That…”
“I shouldn’t have asked. You don’t need to answer.”
Hwalyeon suppressed a sigh as she observed Jaehyun’s pale complexion. Would he be able to accept what she was about to tell him? He had lived all these years quietly accepting unfair treatment without even questioning it. Would he be able to accept that the past had been a deception?
But her deliberation wasn’t long. After all, concealing the truth would be an even greater deception. Hwalyeon’s lips slowly parted.
“To be direct, there’s a strong possibility that the side effects of the past drug were fabricated. No, according to my investigation, it’s certain.”
“What… did you say?”
“Look at this first.”
Hwalyeon handed over the materials she had prepared. Jaehyun, who had been staring blankly at the folder, slowly reached out. His delicate, long fingers took the documents and turned them page by page. The more he confirmed the contents, the wider his eyes grew.
“Th-this is…”
Jaehyun’s hands trembled as he read the documents. Unbelievable information was contained within.
It detailed how researchers who developed HS’s past drug had died or disappeared, circumstances where problems arose during the production process after clinical trials, and even the withdrawal of investment funds by a paper company. Even Jaehyun, who had devoted his life to research and knew little about business, could understand the content.
“So HS’s bankruptcy was all… fabricated?”
“Yes.”
“Why… no, who did… why on earth…”
Jaehyun trembled with a shocked expression. Was HS so hated? Did someone harbor resentment toward his father, the chairman? But was that anger great enough to ruin an entire company?
Why?
That question alone floated in Jaehyun’s mind. Hwalyeon looked at him and let out a small sigh.
“Though it’s not certain, I know a likely suspect.”
“…Who is it?”
Jaehyun asked in a deliberately calm voice. Hwalyeon answered, also excluding emotions as much as possible.
“Chairman Ju Seonghyuk of Hansung.”
“…!”
Ah, Jaehyun’s lips formed a circle. An unvoiced groan circled in his mouth. Hwalyeon frowned at his ominous demeanor.
“Professor?”
“Haah.”
Jaehyun lowered his head and ruffled his hair with his hand. He sighed as if feeling stifled and said in a dejected voice:
“Recently, one of the researchers working with me mentioned an investment offer from Hansung.”
“From Hansung…”
“It was a postdoc I normally trusted, and I was seriously considering it based on his word.”
There weren’t many people in Jaehyun’s lab. Especially for this new drug, it was too important to entrust to undergraduate students. Because of this, researchers in the doctoral program were valuable assets to Jaehyun. And Hansung had approached such a researcher first.
So they were already extending their grasp. Hwalyeon’s brow furrowed. That researcher was probably bought by Hansung. Even after ruining HS, Hansung had continued to keep an eye on them. Jaehyun sighed again. Hwalyeon looked at him and carefully opened her mouth.
“…We only have circumstantial evidence that it was Chairman Ju Seonghyuk’s doing, no physical evidence yet. But I will definitely find it and Hwamyeong will clear HS’s name.”
“…”
“So please trust us and entrust us with the new drug.”
Jaehyun faced Hwalyeon, who was looking straight at him. Now that he looked, Hwalyeon and Suhwan had more similarities. It was their eyes. Not only did they share sharp eye shapes, but the pupils were even more similar. Jaehyun could tell she was a good person with clear eyes.
Moreover, they would soon become in-laws with Hwamyeong. It was clear from the start where he should place his trust.
“Alright.”
“Thank you for trusting me, Professor.”
“No, rather, I should thank you for offering help.”
The documents crumpled in Jaehyun’s hand. He couldn’t understand why Hansung had done such a thing to them, but what they had done was absolutely unforgivable. Watching Jaehyun grinding his teeth slightly, Hwalyeon continued:
“We plan to protect you until the new drug is developed. I hope you’ll cooperate even if it’s a bit inconvenient. The same goes for those researching with you.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“And, I’m sorry, but that person who recommended Hansung…”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Will that be alright?”
University labs, unlike corporations, don’t have many researchers. Even in the final stages, they would be short-staffed, and if they expelled someone due to connections with Hansung, it could affect the experiments.
“If you wish, we can supplement with research personnel from our side.”
“It’s fine. Once Seunghyun finishes his exams, I’ll put him to work.”
“Ah… I see.”
Both brothers are geniuses, huh. Hwalyeon clicked her tongue inwardly. Soon she nodded and looked at Jaehyun.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
The two shook hands and rose from their seats. Though their expressions were rigid for their own reasons, there was a strangely bright atmosphere flowing.
It was the first moment of cooperation between Hwamyeong and HS.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
