Chapter 554

Anastasia was oblivious to the drama at the Brennan household. Having decided to develop the drug herself, she had to make every second of the next week
count.
She first went to the institute to request a week’s leave from Mr. Lockwood, explaining the situation at Unison Pharma honestly. He granted it without hesitation, though he was stunned by her plan.
“You’re saying you’re going to develop a new drug for the summit in one week?”
“Yes,” Anastasia replied, her voice calm and steady.
Mr. Lockwood almost blurted out, *That’s impossible!* Unison’s original drug had taken a team of researchers two years to develop. Not only was the timeline absurd, but Anastasia had no formal training in pharmacology. He bit his tongue, not wanting to embarrass her.
But Anastasia saw the doubt in his eyes. A proud smile touched her lips. “Just because others can’t, doesn’t mean I can’t. Perhaps the only reason it took Unison two years was because their team was led by someone incompetent.”
It was an incredibly arrogant statement, but when Mr. Lockwood compared Lauren to the brilliant young woman standing before him, he found himself almost believing her. The girl who had aced an impossible exam could certainly achieve the impossible again.
A thrill of excitement ran through him. “Alright,” he said, his voice filled with a newfound energy. “Go. I’ll be waiting to see your results.”
Even if she didn’t succeed, the attempt alone was worthy of praise.
Anastasia saw the hope and encouragement in his eyes and smiled warmly. “Wait for my good news, then.”
From the institute, she went straight to Rosewood Manor and found Harrison in his study.
“Harrison, I need to talk to you about something,” she said, melting into his embrace.
“What is it?”
“For the next week, I won’t be at the institute. I need to be at the company to handle something, so I might be home a little later than usual.”
Knowing his possessive nature, she explained carefully. The workday at Unison ended later than her classes at the institute, so she’d be home by at least an hour later. She had to give him a heads-up, or he’d be waiting for her and get upset when she didn’t arrive on time.
He was already upset. The moment the words left her mouth, his dark brows drew together. He gently cupped her face. “What’s so important at the company that you have to handle it personally? Is Sean incompetent?”
She didn’t pull away, just looked up at him, her eyes clear and sincere. “Sean isn’t incompetent, but there are some things even he can’t
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handle.” A charming, proud tit of her chin accompanied her words.
He didn’t ask what it was. His displeasure was evident in the tight line of his lips.
All he heard was that she would be home an hour later every day.
“Harrison?” she murmured, rubbing her head against his chest in a blatant show of affection.
He looked down into her sparkling eyes. After a long moment, his own gaze darkened. “Fine. But you’ll be spending an hour less with me every day. How do you plan to compensate me for that?”
Compensation?
His predatory gaze made her heart skip a beat. Before she could answer, he did it for her. “Can’t think of anything? Then I’ll think of something for you
The words had barely left his lips before he was pressing her down into the large leather chair behind his desk.
Anastasia’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait! This is the study—”
He ignored her, his body trapping her in the small space, his intentions unmistakable.
***
Her “compensation” lasted well into the night, causing her to miss dinner entirely. She was starving but too exhausted to even move, her legs feeling like jelly.
The sated man beside her, however, was incredibly gentle. He wiped the sweat and tear tracks from her face before lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bedroom. She was so tired her eyelids felt like lead weights. The moment he laid her down on the familiar, comforting scent of the pillows, she was lost to sleep.
When Harrison returned with a tray of food, he found her curled up, her face buried in the fluffy comforter, looking utterly enchanting. An unconscious tenderness softer
his features. He leaned dow and kissed her forehead. “Sleep,” he whispered.
***