<b>Chapter </b>511
After breaking ties with Alvin, Aubree learned from Bowen that Turner Group’s new internship program was now under Alvin’s control. They would recruit <b>first- </b>and second–<b>year </b>university students. Using his privileged identity, he had essentially won over the hearts of thepany’s fresh blood
<b>Even </b>Bowen had to admit. “<b>He </b>is truly a Turner. He was assigned to a grassroots position, and he went ahead and took control of the entire grassroots force.”
“Aren’t you afraid he’ll take your position one day?” Aubree gave him a sidelong nce.
“<b>If </b>he <b>does</b><b>, </b>I’ll just be the boyfriend of thepany’s president,” Bowen joked.
Though he still had the heart to joke, Aubree couldn’tugh. She had never imagined things with Alvin would turn out this way.
But <b>life </b>had to <b>go </b>on. Alvin wanted her out of Rithol City, but she couldn’t just <b>sit </b>around waiting.
After a few <b>days </b><b>of </b>observation confirming no lingering health issues, she was discharged from the hospital.
No sooner had she stepped out than the Walton family came to apologize.
barius deeply apologized for the kidnapping incident that urred at the Walton family <b>estate </b>and invited her <b>to </b>a meal.
There was more to this than just an apology.
Darius <b>was </b>afraid Aubree and Bowen would bear <b>a </b>grudge, so he bowed his head first to express his stance and test Aubree’s attitude. <b>If </b>she epted, there’d still be room for cooperation.
<b>As </b>a rising star with immense potential, Aubree had long been on Darius’s radar. If he could work with her, it would undoubtedly bring <b>new </b>value to the Walton family.
While Alvin needed watching, the Wilson family couldn’t be taken lightly either. The opening Aubree saw <i>to </i>deal with Daxton was through the Walton family, and his anti–cancer drug experiment.
So the Walton family’s invitation was one she had to ept.
This time, to host Aubree, Darius pulled out all the stops. He chose a well–known farm–to–table restaurant in Rithol City.
This ce was strictly reservation–only. They only served a hundred tables a day. Every dish was a <b>feast </b>for the senses, made with free<b>–</b>range ingredients, giving everything a fresh taste and firm, vorful texture.
Even if one <b>was </b>loaded, they still had to show up in person to book a table, and the next day’s slots only opened for reservation the day before.
Darius said, “I barely slept all night to get this reservation. Ms. Miller, you must try the food here.”
Aubree smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Walton. That matter really wasn’t your fault. I should be the one thanking you for your help.”
“Not at all…” They exchanged pleasantries as they made their way to the restaurant.
Since they arrived before mealtime, Darius led Aubree around to try some of the restaurant’s specialty dishes.
Up until the meal began, Darius never brought up business<b>. </b>
He said, “This lobster bisque is their signature. Please try some, Ms. Miller.”
“I’ll raise a ss <b>to </b>you<b>, </b>and you can just enjoy the soup.” Darius downed a shot of liquor without blinking. It was easy to see how he’d built such a sessful business<b>. </b>
No matter what kind of business a person was in, they couldn’t help but look at him with newfound respect.
Aubree, like many others, <b>respected </b>that kind of character. She took a sip of soup in return. “Mr. Walton, <b>I </b>assume today’s meeting isn’t just about an apology?”
“Ms. Miller, you may be young, but you’re sharp!” Darius chuckled.
He said, “If Walton Pharmaceuticals could coborate with Bree Technology, it would be the perfect match.”
Aubree smiled, “I’d be more than happy to work with you. To be honest, I heard you’re investing in the development of an anti–cancer drug”
2.33 PM
<b>Darius </b>nodded. “That’s right.” It <b>wasn’t </b><b>a </b>secret that Walton Pharmaceuticals specialized in cancer treatment and had developed drugs that significantly suppressed cancer cells. <b>However</b><b>, </b>none had <b>ever </b>achieved a cure.
Darius sighed. “To be honest, this project is <b>a </b>coboration with Daxton Wilson, that medical genius. We provide the funding; hisb and our R&D team do the research. But after years of effort, we still haven’t <b>seeded</b>.”
“I actually <b>have </b>some good news for you, Mr. Walton. Though I don’t know <b>if </b>you’ll believe it.” Aubree picked up a piece of fish with a serving spoon and ced it in his bowl. “I know how <b>to </b>develop a truly effective anti–cancer drug.”
<b>“</b>Really?” Darius nearly dropped <b>his </b>spoon.
The delicious food before him suddenly lost all appeal. He set down his spoon, <b>eyes </b>fixed on her.
Aubree said, “Would I dare bluff you about something this serious? What I mean is I know someone who can develop that drug.”
In the previous timeline, after Daxton had a major ident, Aubree helped solve the research bottleneck and seeded in developing the drug, restoring her reputation.
But she never tried to im all the credit. After Daxton’sb was investigated and shut down, she risked her life <b>to </b>sneak in and recover a mass of scattered research materials.
Among them, she discovered a highly feasible research proposal.
Though shecked deep medical knowledge, she understood the underlying principle. She tracked down the person who had submitted that proposal and eventually convinced them to try again. They sought help from various medical experts and endured countless rejections.
Unfortunately, their credit was stolen. That person’s brilliance was buried by Daxton.
The proposal was dismissed because Daxton refused to ept that someone else’s idea might be better. Hisb was run like a dictatorship. He outright rejected the idea and warned that anyone who pursued it would be kicked out.
That researcher <b>saw </b>through Daxton’s obsession with fame and titles. They left theb.
Timeline–wise, that person should have already fallen out with Daxton.
This time around, Aubree would rmend that person to Darius, urging him to establish a newb centered on this researcher.
Darius said, “Ms. Miller, tell me more.”
Aubree replied, “The person I’m talking about is a researcher recently dismissed from Daxton’sb. If you trust me, go find him, agree to his terms, and establish a newb with him <b>as </b>the core.”
“I’ll bet, based on current progress, he’ll seed within three months<b>.</b>” Aubree spoke with conviction, and Darius was swayed.
She was right. There was no reason <b>for </b>her to lie to him. And even if it turned out to be false, the Walton family <b>was </b>no pushover.
Aubree continued, “At worst, the loss is just the investment. I’m confident in this. So if you agree to start theb, Bree Technology is willing to <b>co- </b>invest and split the risk with you. It’s <b>a </b>win–win.”
With the offerid out so clearly, Darius agreed.
As Aubree said, if it seeded, he’d profit massively. If it failed, they’d share the loss.
And she hadn’t even asked him to sever ties with Daxton. He had little to lose.
They clinked sses, not realizing they were being overheard.
Coincidentally, Casper was also dining there that day. He had just finished a meal with some friends and came over to greet his father, only to overhear the conversation.
His breath caught. Daxton had been struggling to develop that drug for years. If he brought this intel to him, wouldn’t Carmen start seeing him more favorably?
<b>Casper </b>acted immediately, texting his friends to say he was leaving early, and then drove straight to find Carmen.
He told her everything he had <b>just </b>heard.