For any researcher, the temptation of having a powerful and wealthy family providing support from behind was undoubtedly immense.
But this was Grace.
She had Graceline Technologies. She had Damien. She didn't need anyone else's support.
Grace stared quietly at the document, her mind flashing back to a stormy night five years ago.
That day, she had knelt before Alistair Hart, begging him to return her patent transfer fee so she could continue her research.
But Alistair Hart had heartlessly refused her.
He had said, "Grace, do you think money grows on trees? Instead of wasting time on this useless stuff, why don't you go to the hospital and donate some blood to your sister? She's been looking pale lately."
That day, she left with no money—and a pint of blood less than she’d arrived with.
Later, she had to sell the necklace her mother left her to buy reagents, just to finish her research piece by piece.
"Heh."
Grace suddenly laughed.
She set down her teacup, her expression calm.
"Pardon me, esteemed elders."
Grace looked up. "I think you've misunderstood something."
The Great Elder's brow furrowed. "What?"
"My surname is Hart, and my name is Grace."
She enunciated each word clearly. "I'm not some 'Fiona Hawke 2.0,' and I don't need anyone to vouch for me."
"Every patent I own, I earned while I was at rock bottom. Every achievement of mine, I fought for with my life. Where were you then? When I was being forced to donate bone marrow to Lilian, where were your tens of billions in funding? You knew of my existence all along, you knew what I needed, yet you remained indifferent. And now you show up wanting to support me?"
The Great Elder's face darkened. "Ms. Hart, you must understand, this is an honor."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Five Years Wasted Now They Beg Her Back