Chapter 39 He Came to Back Her Up

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: He Came to Back Her Up

Sophie Winslow thought she had misheard. She let out a scoff. "Huh?"

Peter Preston pinched the bridge of his nose. He had laughed out of sheer anger when he first heard the news.

"Look at the airs she’s putting on," he said, looking at Sophie. "Her exact words were...

"She won’t allow anyone to just waltz in by pulling strings. She said pharmaceutical research is built on the blood, sweat, and tears of researchers working day and night, and she doesn’t want it to become a stepping stone for certain people to pad their resumes."

Sophie was speechless.

She seriously wondered if there was something wrong with Stella Sutton’s brain. Had Julian Sterling spoiled her so much that she had become this delusional?

A faint, mocking smile touched Sophie’s lips. "Did she forget how she got into the Kingsford University team in the first place?"

"She thinks she has the skills to back it up, so she has no problem with double standards." Peter shook his head.

Sophie’s eyes darkened as she fell into deep thought. "I’ve been on hiatus for years. The Kingsford University team is probably skeptical of me right now."

After all, she didn’t have a glamorous resume like Stella’s, which was flawlessly packaged from every angle, not to mention having Julian as a powerful shield.

"You’re Mr. Caldwell’s Closed-door Disciple. Who are they to point fingers?" Peter argued. "Helios only exists because of you. You single-handedly programmed and compiled the massive database for Digital Chinese Medicine. Think of how many people have benefited from it. You can’t let this discourage you."

It was true. The traditional medicine database of Digital Chinese Medicine—which included a diagnostic system, an AI prescription system, lost master formulas from ancient to modern times, and a comprehensive herbal directory—was all coded by Sophie. The project had taken her three arduous years.

Many people were astounded by the profound medical knowledge possessed by the creator behind the scenes, and the higher-ups had even heavily promoted its use. How could a flashy, manufactured paper tiger like Stella possibly compare?

"I know. I’m just lacking an opportunity right now. Until I can shut them up with actual results, no one would believe me if I claimed to be the core developer of Digital Chinese Medicine." Sophie lowered her gaze.

She needed to prove herself. She needed to climb back to where she belonged, step by step. That was the only way she could stand against the Sterling family. That was the only way she would have the capital to protect Lydia.

She took a slow breath. "Let’s talk to Kingsford University first."

Peter patted Sophie’s shoulder. "Leave this to me. If Stella doesn’t want to show up, fine. You are not backing out. If she keeps ghosting us, even if she takes up a spot on the team, there’s no way she’s getting her name on the final credits."

She could forget about effortlessly taking a piece of the pie.

Sophie, however, shook her head with a self-deprecating smile. "If Kingsford University is stepping in, do you really think it’s possible without Julian’s explicit instructions?"

It was exactly because Stella had Julian backing her that she dared to be so brazen. Or perhaps...

Sophie frowned. Could it be because she had insulted them at the dinner, saying they belonged in a ghost marriage? Was Julian deliberately retaliating against her for Stella’s sake?

Sophie wasn’t sure. But considering how fiercely Julian doted on Stella, anything was possible.

At Kingsford University.

Stella knew that Kingsford University would be in a tough spot if she boycotted the meetings entirely, so she made an appearance that morning.

"I’m truly sorry, everyone. I just have very strong principles. I know I’ve put you all in a difficult position."

Several junior students immediately chimed in. "Not at all! You didn’t do anything wrong, Stella."

When Professor Rowland arrived, he recalled Mr. Preston’s unyielding attitude on the phone and hesitantly brought it up with Stella.

After all, Stella was now Kingsford University’s VIP. Without her, there would be no investment from Julian Sterling. The university was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Stella’s smile faded upon hearing Mr. Preston’s stance. Inevitably, she felt a surge of annoyance and shock. Peter Preston was defending Sophie far more fiercely than she had anticipated.

She had assumed that once the matter blew up, Peter wouldn’t be able to pull strings for Sophie anymore. She thought he would bow to the pressure from Kingsford University and make the smartest choice.

Why was he being so stubborn?

"Who exactly is this Miss Winslow?" one of the graduate students asked.

Since Stella obviously knew her best, everyone turned to look at her.

Stella snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. She feigned a helpless expression, trailing off deliberately. "All I know is that she’s married, but she has a very... intimate relationship with Mr. Preston..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, whispers erupted around the room.

"I couldn’t tell. Just to get credit for something that doesn’t belong to her, she’s working so hard, and even selling her..." The speaker trailed off, realizing the word was too ugly to say out loud.

But everyone knew exactly what was being implied.

Seeing the righteous indignation flare up among the hardworking researchers who poured their lives into experiments, Stella’s lips twitched upward in a faint smirk before she quietly left the room.

The issue of swapping team members remained unresolved. The two sides were at a total stalemate.

With the project deadlines looming, Sophie went to coordinate with Kingsford University as usual. This time, Peter tagged along. However, upon arriving, Sophie immediately noticed a distinct change in the way the Kingsford team looked at her. The gazes felt loaded, though she couldn’t figure out why.

And today, Stella still didn’t show up, stubbornly clinging to her haughty principles.

Peter kept a genial expression, and the meeting proceeded as planned.

It was only as they were wrapping up that Peter casually dropped a bomb. "It seems even Kingsford University can’t handle a diva like Miss Sutton. Whether this collaboration can proceed smoothly is now up in the air. If this is too difficult for Kingsford, I’d say this partnership just isn’t meant to be. Helios can easily find another partner. There’s always next time."

The moment Peter spoke, the faces of the Kingsford University team fell.

The graduate students—who had spent the entire meeting glaring and whispering about Sophie—instantly panicked. "How can you say that?"

A partnership with Helios was incredibly beneficial to their futures. Helios was consistently at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, Helios owned Digital Chinese Medicine, a project highly valued by government officials. If they could collaborate closely with its core R&D team, their resumes would be solid gold no matter which company they applied to in the future.

Stella, who had just arrived at the door, overheard Peter’s ultimatum. Her expression shifted.

The whole reason she wanted to collaborate with Helios was because of their formidable capital. They held the rights to the hottest traditional anti-cancer drugs in the country. They had an absolute trump card in Digital Chinese Medicine—a widely used, state-endorsed project with massive popularity. Not to mention, they had Calyx Hospital backing them up.

She only wanted to force Peter’s hand; she never actually intended to lose the collaboration.

"Julian, Sophie just joined Helios and she’s already won Mr. Preston over so completely. She’s quite impressive," Stella murmured, pursing her lips and looking up at the man beside her.

Julian’s dark eyes were placid. "It’s fine."

He stepped into the room.

Sophie looked up and locked eyes with Julian. His gaze was unfathomable. Whenever he stared at someone with that emotionless intensity, the oppressive aura was suffocating.

Sophie frowned instinctively. Did Julian think she was the one dictating Peter’s decisions? Did he think she was deliberately targeting Stella?

"Mr. Preston, my apologies. Traffic was bad on the way here," Julian said to Peter, his demeanor relaxed.

His words clearly implied that Stella’s absence wasn’t intentional.

Peter chuckled. "Miss Sutton is truly fortunate, having Mr. Sterling personally escort her to a simple meeting."

Sophie lowered her eyes. She could see exactly what was happening. Julian had come to back Stella up.

Professor Rowland and the graduate students hurried forward. "Mr. Sterling, about this situation..."

Julian spoke calmly, cutting them off. "What are your intentions, Mr. Preston?"

Peter replied with an equally genial smile. "Every member of the Helios team is indispensable. Miss Sutton came right out of the gate throwing accusations, which shows a lack of sincerity. As a result, our team also has some grievances with her. I’m afraid..."

"State your terms, Mr. Preston." Julian was a smart man and cut straight to the chase.

The smile on Peter’s lips grew even more amicable. "Simple. Miss Sutton bows and apologizes to Sophie."