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    Chapter <b>80 </b>


    The more you try to exin yourself, the guiltier you look in other people’s eyes.


    She’d already reviewed the backgrounds of those two men on her way. over. Elissa was confident she could keep them in line.


    Instead of doing anything else, Elissa walked straight to the medicine. cab and began inspecting the supplies one by one.


    “Do we really need all these different medicines?” Cliff asked.


    “No,” Elissa replied. “The pharmacy’s stock was checked by our mentor right from the beginning, and our suppliers have always followed those standards. The meds here won’t be a problem.”


    “But with Murphy Group’s inventory, we need to check everything ourselves.”


    Color, texture, age–even whether an herb was wild or cultivated–could affect its potency.


    In this respect, developing traditional remedies was far more.plicated than working with pharmaceuticals.


    Cliff looked a little sheepish. “All these years, and I’ve never gotten into


    that habit.”


    “That’s understandable–you’re the boss,” Elissa teased, shing him at yful smile. “Even if you don’t keep an eye on the details, someone else will.”


    Cliff chuckled, looking at her warmly. “Then you’d better keep a close. watch on the clinic for me.”


    “Don’t worry.”


    As she spoke, Elissa lifted a root to her nose and inhaled its scent.


    Watching her handle the grunt work of the purchasing team, the two men grew even more dismissive. Bored, they slouched in their chairs and


    started ying games on their phones.


    Elissa ignored thempletely, focusing on her task.


    When she’d finished checking the medicine, she and Cliff started


    discussing research ns..


    Cliff found himself momentarily distracted by the way she lit up when she was focused, nearly losing track of the conversation.


    Dusk had already set in when someone finally knocked on theb door, prompting Elissa to pause her work.


    Standing at the door was a poised, elegant woman in a silk blouse and pencil skirt. Her smile was warm and professional. “Everyone, to celebrate the officialunch of our project team, Mr. Murphy has reserved a private room at Virtue Hall for dinner.”


    The project leader blinked in surprise, then quickly agreed. “Of course. Thank you, Secretary Lynn–please thank Mr. Murphy for us.”


    Lorraine Lynn’s smile deepened. “Mr. Murphy will be attending in person. You can thank him yourself.”


    “For real?”


    Someone couldn’t hide their shock.


    Out of all thepany’s projects, Rowan only paid attention to a select


    few.


    It was almost unheard of for him to actually show up and mingle with the staff.


    Lorraineughed. “Guess.”


    With that, she walked straight over to Elissa, hand extended and lips curved in a friendly smile. “Ms. Drummond, I’m Lorraine–Mr. Murphy’s secretary.”


    Elissa paused, surprised that Lorraine would make a point of greeting her, but she shook her hand with easy confidence. “Thank you, Secretary


    Lynn. I’m sure we’ll be needing your help around Murphy Group.”


    “My pleasure.”


    Lorraine withdrew her hand, her smile unwavering. “Shall we add each. other on WhatsApp?”


    “Sure.”


    Elissa wasn’t sure what Lorraine’s intentions were, but it would be convenient. “Want me to scan your code?”


    After Lorraine left, the two men who’d mocked Elissa earlier started giving her odd looks.


    They figured she must have connections.


    <b>But </b>they hadn’t expected her connections to run this deep<b>. </b>


    Even Lorraine was being so polite–who knew who she had backing her


    up?


    Elissa didn’t care what they thought. Before heading to dinner<b>, </b>she and Cliff settled on a few preliminary prescriptions.


    At the restaurant, she stopped by the restroom before heading to the


    private room.


    Pushing open the door, she froze.


    Most people had assumed Lorraine was joking earlier–Rowan was always busy and never attended small project team dinners.


    But there he was.


    Rowan sat casually at the table, his features sharply defined, his presencemanding. Even just sitting there, he radiated an intimidating authority.


    Hearing the door open, he looked her way, eyes narrowing slightly. His tone was rxed–almost amused. “Ms. Drummond, are you just going to stand there? Are you afraid of me?<b>” </b>