"Ms. Shannon, we ran the test twice. The results were consistent," Dr. Smith said calmly. "As a researcher, I must be responsible for the safety of the experiment. I''m sorry, but your blood can no longer be used for any research."


    Vanessa''s eyes were glued to the data and the word "positive" on the report. She gasped for air, and an uncontroble tremor began to run through her body.


    At that moment, another document was ced in front of her. "Ms. Shannon," Gavin said, "by Mr. Goodwin''s decision, he is unterally terminating his contract with you. Per Section Three of your agreement, Mr. Goodwin is ending the contract effective immediately."


    Vanessa''s head snapped toward Gavin, her voice rising. "Terminated? On what grounds? Doesn think he can make me sign a contract when he wants and terminate it when he wants?"


    "Ms. Shannon," Gavin''s tone was calm, "due to your blood sample not meeting the safety standards for the experiment, the agreement clearly states that Mr. Goodwin has the right to unterally terminate all cooperation."


    Vanessa stared at the termination contract, her mind going nk again. This meant her entire partnership withn was over.


    It also meant the cash gift she was about to receive for her birthday had vanished into thin air.


    "Why terminate? I can get treatment. Once I''m better, I can continue to donate blood," Vanessa said, trying to remainposed.


    "Ms. Shannon, this is Mr. Goodwin''s decision. I am merely informing you. The termination process has already been initiated, and the legal department will be in contact with you," Gavin finished. He then turned to Dr. Smith. "Doctor, I''ll be leaving now."


    After Gavin left, Vanessa copsed back onto the sofa. She looked at the termination contract. Ian was severing all ties with her.


    He truly was a ruthless man. After all she had given, he ended things so cleanly and decisively.


    Dr. Smith had also delivered his message. He said to his assistant, "Please keep Ms. Shannonpany for a moment, and see her outter."


    The assistant nodded and looked at the pale-faced Vanessa. "Ms. Shannon, if you need anything, please let me know."


    Vanessa suddenly grabbed the contract and began flipping through it frantically. Didn''t the old contract have some sort of transition fee?


    After scanning the whole thing, she found no such use. She bit her lip tightly.n''s new contract didn''t include that provision.


    The assistant watched her with curiosity. "Ms. Shannon, are you all right?"


    Vanessa''s behavior was indeed a bit manic. Finally, she closed her eyes in disappointment.


    Her past unspooled in her mind in, brutal, broken snapshots: the first time she sayn, she saw him as a g?d, her lifeline out of the slums, and she had clung to him tightly.


    All that seemingly generous funding had, in the end, turned out to be nothing more than a cold transaction. And she pathetically, had actually thought she could rece Eleanor.


    n! You are so cruel." Two tears slid from the corners of Vanessa''s


    red-hot


    eyes. His name was like a r?d he


    brand on her heart, igniting a fierce sense of resentment and bitterness.


    The assistant instinctively took a step back. In that moment, the crazed look on


    Vanessa''s face made it seem like she mightsh out at any second.


    Vanessa''s eyes flew open. She pulled out her phone and dialedn''s number, only to find he had blocked her.


    Undeterred, she called Gavin, who answered.