The Scientist He Erased Returns

Clevel

nock came again, insistent. I didn' t move. My heart hammered, a frant

oid of its usual authority, tinged with a stra

tood there, his hair slightly dishevele

voice hesitant. "Professor Albright's comments were uncal

a kiss, a public display of affection, as an act of scie

voice flat, devoid of emotion. "We're not together.

ker of genuine shock. "Ellie, you

bitterness finally seeping into my tone. "Now, if you'l

istant, felt warm against the wood. "Ellie, wait. We need

off, my gaze firm.

his footsteps recede. I leaned against the door, my body trembling, a hollow ache blossoming in my c

vies jolted me awake. His voice, usually j

er? The new paper from Dr. Scott's lab?

opped. "No, P

rk. But the authorship... the lead author is listed as Kia

gers. Not there? This was my work. My sleepless nights, my f

e," I whispered, my

led with sympathy. "It's already generating

navigated to the new publications. There it was. "Novel High-Strength Polymer Com

Cleveland, was

novative molecular structure, the specific thermal annealing process-all of it, my intellectual propert

his was theft. Intellectual theft. A professional assassination. It

mbeat in my ears. I dialed hi

g, his voice calm, collected.

om. "Where is my name, Alston? On that paper

d to reallocate the authorship. Kiara made some significant contributions to the theoret

u stole my work! You gave my years of labor, my breakthrough

he institute's intellectual property. And frankly, your departure would have co

sed. "So I'm just a disposable resource to you? A research assistant who

aluable skill set. But your emotional reactivity is becoming a hinderance. You're a competent

. No vision. The truth, cold and brutal, ripped through me. I was n

rage draining out of me, leaving behind a v