The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 192

"The fact that the two reports have completely contradictory conclusions simply means we aren't at a stage to make a final decision on this project." He stood up and grabbed his notebook from the table. "Both of you, go back and conduct further research. We will reconvene for another presentation in two weeks. Meeting adjourned."

...

Out in the hallway, the crowd dispersed.

Lavinia kept her head down, packing up her things. Jocelyn walked over and stood beside her.

"I'm sorry," Lavinia said softly. "Ms. Chandler, I know the version you helped me edit was much safer, but I just..."

"Once you fire the arrow, there's no turning back." Jocelyn cut her off. "Since you're adamant that Renova Biosciences shouldn't get the investment and that their new drug is problematic, you have to present ironclad proof."

Lavinia turned to look at her.

"Just cross-referencing papers and asking around isn't enough." Jocelyn's tone was flat. "You need to go into the field. Look at their laboratories, talk to their employees, and figure out whether this drug is real or a complete scam."

Lavinia's eyes flickered.

"Ms. Chandler, can I request two weeks of leave?"

"Approved." Jocelyn turned and walked away.

Lavinia pulled out her phone, found Charley's number, and dialed.

***

Ding-dong—

The doorbell rang. Lavinia jogged over to open it. Charley was standing in the hallway, holding his dog's leash. She stepped aside to let him in.

Walking into the living room, Charley noticed an open suitcase on the floor, halfway packed with clothes and essentials.

"Are you going on a business trip?" he asked.

"Not a business trip. Undercover field research," Lavinia replied. "Renova Biosciences outsourced their work to a CRO. Scott helped me fake a resume and got me a position as an assistant there. That way, I can get my hands on Renova's primary data."

A CRO—Contract Research Organization—was an outsourcing service for pharmaceutical companies, handling the clinical trials and applications for new drugs.

It was impossible for Lavinia to infiltrate Renova Biosciences directly. If she wanted access to their core data, she had to go through the CRO.

Lavinia lowered her head and went back to packing.

Charley stood there looking down at her, his lips pressed in a tight line, saying nothing.

***

Lavinia dragged her suitcase onto the long-distance bus heading to Stanton City.

Stanton City was a remote, coastal town in the western part of the southern province. The research facility was likely built there simply because the land was cheap.

After a bumpy three-hour ride, she finally arrived.

NeoGenix CRO had a massive, beautifully constructed campus right by the ocean.

It featured laboratories, a research center, a training facility, and even a wellness center, sports arenas, and a cafeteria. It felt more like a university than a corporate campus.

Armed with the recommendation letter Scott had provided, Lavinia checked in and was assigned to a project team.

As luck would have it, this specific lab was the one handling the clinical trial design for Renova Biosciences.