Chapter 140

[ 1,223 words ]

New Hope was a company under Ryan’s control.

With its formidable resources and influence, it had the power to put G.S in a difficult position. It established a separate, independent team and granted Samantha full authority over it, while every other department was instructed to provide full support.

It was almost as if…

Samantha had already been placed in the position of the boss’s wife.

“New Hope has made its position clear: if you want to form a team, you’ll have to negotiate with them,” Caleb said.

Rose understood immediately.

This was retaliation.

Samantha intended to reclaim every bit of face she had lost at G.S.

With a sneer, Rose said, “Ryan invested a billion dollars in G.S. He doesn’t care whether this project succeeds or fails, nor does he care if the money goes down the drain. All he cares about is making sure Samantha gets her revenge.”

Even talent poaching was carried out with such overwhelming devotion.

Caleb looked concerned. “I’m afraid they’re going to make things difficult for you.”

“I’ll handle the negotiations myself. This is aimed at me,” Rose said decisively. Work was work, and she knew how to separate business from personal matters.

“It’s fine. I’m just going to see where New Hope stands. If we can reach an agreement, great. If not, G.S isn’t exactly lacking in talent.”

Rose wasted no time.

Grabbing her bag, she headed straight for New Hope.

The elite specialists she wanted were renowned chip experts, and New Hope was also a leader in that field. Since her surgical robot project would inevitably require advanced chip technology, this trip was unavoidable.

Soon, she arrived at New Hope.

Rose requested a meeting with New Hope’s CEO, William.

She was escorted upstairs.

William was one of Ryan’s trusted executives and a key figure in New Hope’s operations. He was the most appropriate person to discuss the matter with.

The moment she stepped out of the elevator, she found herself facing a bustling crowd.

At the center of it all stood Samantha.

Surrounded by admiration and attention, she wore an elegant smile and carried herself with her chin slightly raised. She appeared approachable on the surface, but beneath it lay unmistakable arrogance.

William was standing among the group as well.

The moment he spotted Rose, he smiled.

“Ms. Bennett, you’re here.”

Rose nodded. “Are you busy?”

William waved a hand dismissively.

“Ms. Hill is launching a new project team today, so we’re holding a kickoff meeting.”

Rose already knew that.

Samantha’s excitement was practically radiating from her.

Looking at William, Rose asked, “Should we discuss our matter first?”

Just as William was about to agree, Samantha turned toward them.

“It’s about the new experts hired for the project team, isn’t it? Perfect. I’d like to hear what G.S has to say as well.”

Her tone was openly condescending.

As though her position ranked above William’s.

William couldn’t help glancing at Rose.

Rose asked calmly, “Is Ms. Hill now fully involved in New Hope’s affairs? Did Ryan transfer New Hope into your name?”

The question was direct.

Almost a rebuke.

The smile disappeared from Samantha’s face.

Ignoring Rose’s question entirely, she said, “I’m now in charge of a major project team. Rose, please correct your title and address me as President Hill. If you can’t even learn basic workplace etiquette, how far do you really expect to go?”

The implication was obvious.

She was drawing a line between their statuses.

A subtle but deliberate insult.

Rose frowned.

Meanwhile, Samantha interpreted Rose’s silence as weakness.

After all, Samantha no longer needed to rely on joining someone else’s project to build her résumé. She now wielded influence within a top-tier AI healthcare company like New Hope.

Compared to her, Rose was supposedly on an entirely different level.

“As for G.S wanting to collaborate with the experts on my team, I think we should forget about it. My team consists of elite professionals. We don’t partner with people who built their résumés by freeloading.”

Rose understood perfectly.

Now that Samantha held power, she was deliberately targeting her.

And she was openly calling Rose that “freeloader.”

“President William, let’s discuss our project proposal in detail. People who aren’t involved shouldn’t waste their time.”

Samantha turned to William.

William understood her position.

It was obvious she had no intention of working with G.S.

Although he personally believed a partnership with G.S would benefit both sides, Samantha had been personally placed there by Mr. Knight himself and might even become the future Mrs. Knight.

For someone in his position, there was really only one choice.

Looking helplessly at Rose, he said, “Ms. Bennett, something urgent has come up. Why don’t we discuss this another day?”

Rose wasn’t embarrassed.

Today had simply shown her exactly how much power Samantha currently wielded.

She didn’t push the issue. “All right.”

Then she turned and walked away.

Her marriage to Ryan had never been made public.

To the outside world, she was just another outsider—so much so that the former Mrs. Knight still had to bow her head to the mistress.

But that no longer mattered.

She had come today intending to do everything she could.

Since Samantha was riding high on power, any meaningful discussion was impossible.

There was no point forcing the issue.

An elite team would certainly be helpful, but she didn’t absolutely need those specific people. If necessary, she could move forward without bringing in anyone new.

If Samantha believed G.S would eventually come begging, she was dreaming.

After Rose left, James arrived upstairs.

He had come to take a look at Samantha’s new office.

“I heard you went to G.S yesterday and got the cold shoulder?”

Samantha smiled lightly. “It’s no big deal. G.S should be the one worried now. Their project is nothing but a fantasy. They’ll have to scour the market for the best experts and top talent. Now that all the best people are on my side, it won’t be long before they come begging me to exchange G.S’s Aetheris Medical AI Medicine Database for the opportunity to collaborate with my team.”

She was completely confident.

She held all the cards now.

Eventually, G.S would hand over the database on a silver platter and serve as a stepping stone to her success and reputation.

James understood the situation as well.

After considering it, he agreed that G.S would most likely compromise for the greater good.

In the end, Samantha would gain access to the Aster Aetheris Medical AI Database.

He didn’t comment further. Instead, he handed her an invitation.

“This Saturday, the Taylor family is hosting a medical summit. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to attend. Leo Byrne will most likely be there.”

Samantha’s eyes lit up.

Leo Byrne.

Dean of Peace Hospital, professor at NYU School of Medicine, academician of the National Center for Biomedical Innovation, and Dr. Nathan’s chief disciple.

He was exactly the kind of connection she wanted to cultivate.

Even if she couldn’t become Dr. Nathan’s student, she was confident she could win Leo’s favor.

Who knew?

One day she might even become his student and work alongside him on research projects.

James added, “An invitation will also be sent to G.S. Rose will be attending as well.”

Samantha’s smile faded instantly, replaced by unease.

“Why?” she asked. “I thought you didn’t like her either?”

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