Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Used as Someone Else’s Tool
Below were several sheets documenting the antidote submitted by Ann Vaughn, which had passed experimental tests and was officially archived in the reagent storage.
There was no mistake about it.
The members of Group A simultaneously turned pale, looking at Ann Vaughn in disbelief, finding the proof documents unbearable to hold.
So, was it really their misunderstanding?
"Initially, we were unaware, so we didn’t expect the antidote given to the hospital by the director to originate from Consultant Vaughn, we acknowledge this point." Belle suddenly spoke, "However, the data used by Consultant Vaughn for her research was the result of over a year of hard work from our Group A."
Her reminder suddenly struck a chord with the other members, "Yes, without our research data, how could she have developed the antidote so quickly on her own?"
"The achievement is not hers alone; it’s also due to all of our efforts!"
"We just want fairness!"
Seated behind the table, Shane Shaw was at a loss for words; these people were skilled researchers, so why was their intelligence faltering at this crucial moment?
He couldn’t bother to say more and simply told Ann Vaughn, "Consultant Vaughn, I’m afraid you need to explain it to them."
Ann Vaughn slowly nodded, her gaze turning towards the members of Group A glaring at her, calmly saying, "When I first joined Group A, I did look at some of your research data. But later, due to Team Leader Sheridan’s discontent with this behavior, I didn’t have access to any further data."
"So you mean to say you developed the antidote without relying on our data, is that it?" Belle sneered.
Looking at Belle, who was quite friendly on the first day but now was nothing but envious and couldn’t see beyond her self-interest, Ann Vaughn sighed inwardly.
Truly being used as a pawn, still oblivious.
"Your data indeed was extremely helpful to me." Ann Vaughn acknowledged, ignoring the smug expressions of Group A members, continuing, "The erroneous data made me consider whether a different method could yield different results."
"So, I overturned your latest research, started from scratch and indeed deciphered the virus gene code, leading to the development of the antidote."
What is... erroneous data?!
Group A members widened their eyes, full of struggle and disbelief.
"What do you mean by this?! We worked for over a year, creating several inhibitors during the process that were effective; how could it be erroneous!"
Ann Vaughn slightly shook her head, mercilessly dispelling their final doubt, "You are indeed impressive; even when on the wrong track, you developed virus-inhibiting reagents."
"However," she shifted the topic, "the reason your inhibitors become ineffective after being used less than three times on patients is the primary flaw in your research direction."
This virus is unlike normal viruses; finding just an inhibiting way is useless; it needs to be eradicated.
"I can prove that all research data submitted by Consultant Vaughn was completed independently. If you don’t believe it, you can check the database," Shane Shaw supplemented.
"Director..." Belle, unwilling to give up, tried to say something but was stopped by other team members.
At this point, they could only admit their capabilities were not as superior.
It was laughable that so many members together could not compare to one woman...
"We are very sorry, Consultant Vaughn; we misunderstood you." Sean Hanson led the apology to Ann Vaughn, followed by other members expressing their regrets.
Only Belle remained unmoved, turning her head away, refusing to say a word.
Ann Vaughn faintly smiled, "I know you just had a momentary lapse in judgment, just be cautious moving forward, but I hope rumors like this one won’t originate from Group A."
Her words suddenly awakened the team members.
Initially, why did they come to the director’s office to trouble Ann Vaughn?
Because of...
Belle!
If not for Belle complaining that Team Leader Sheridan was sick due to having her credit stolen by Consultant Vaughn and therefore couldn’t come to the research institute.
Incensed by the perceived injustice to Team Leader Sheridan, they banded together to denounce Consultant Vaughn?
But now thinking back, was Belle really grieving for Team Leader Sheridan or for her own personal gain?
Seeing the hostile gazes of Group A members turn towards Belle, Ann Vaughn couldn’t help but shake her head.
Jane Sheridan played a sharp game of using others to achieve her ends without staining her own hands while pulling down a competitor.
Even while being sequestered, she still loved to cause trouble, showing she hadn’t reflected on herself at all.
Once Group A members left, Ann Vaughn placed her resignation on Shane Shaw’s desk.
"Thank you for looking after me during this time. Due to some irresistible reasons, I can’t balance my duties at the research institute anymore, so I have to resign regretfully."
Ann Vaughn solemnly spoke her plans without a change in expression.
The solution to the MX project lies with Cyrus Hawthorne and not within the research institute, so staying here wouldn’t help.
Moreover, she had new plans for Vaughn Clinic and naturally wanted to focus her efforts there.
This incident with Group A was just a convenient excuse.
Shane Shaw was dumbfounded upon hearing, as he was planning to promote Ann Vaughn; who knew she would suddenly resign?
Mr. Hawthorne would have his head if he found out!
Also, who was the fool spreading the nonsense that the antidote was researched by Jane Sheridan?
The one Jane submitted hadn’t even passed live testing; how could he have dared to let Mr. Hawthorne use it?!
Shane Shaw wanted to persuade further, but Ann Vaughn stood firm, smiling yet unwilling to relent, no matter what he said.
She preferred healing patients to playing political games, the joy of curing a patient was genuine.
With no choice, Shane Shaw used procedural excuses to delay, and once Ann Vaughn left his office, he immediately made a call.
"President Hawthorne is in a meeting; all matters regarding the MX plan are to be halted and relevant personnel reassigned to other groups," Mark Joyce’s professional tone sounded.
"No, Special Assistant Joyce," Shane Shaw hurriedly said, "it’s a disaster; something happened, Consultant Vaughn wants to resign..."
"What did you say?" Mark Joyce frowned, realizing this matter was not to be taken lightly, then turned to enter the meeting room.
In the vast meeting room, executives sitting along the long table were silent, too afraid to make a sound.
The district head reporting issues of the Marinia New District wiped his sweat, glanced at the stern-looking man at the head seat, swallowed, and continued reporting.