Chapter 126 Adrian Hawthorne Returns Home

Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Adrian Hawthorne Returns Home

Meanwhile, the large screen in the venue displayed the detailed list of pharmaceutical companies participating in the approval process, along with the signatures of the respective organizations.

Julian Sterling sat with his long legs crossed. He lifted his gaze slightly to see Helios positioned at the very top of the first tier. The team’s signature list was also clearly displayed.

And Sophie Winslow’s name—was listed first.

Finn Lockwood suddenly stood up. Pointing at the screen, he laughed in disbelief. "Mr. Preston, there must be a mistake with your arrangement, right? Sophie Winslow is listed as the first author? Is that appropriate?"

Everyone knew the weight of being listed first. It meant that throughout the entire research and development process, Sophie Winslow was the primary person in charge, the lead developer, and the chief formulator. It was equivalent to being the first author on a research paper. It represented true, undeniable prestige. How could they not be shocked?

A flash of surprise also crossed Evan York’s eyes. He stared intently at Sophie Winslow’s consistently calm face.

Stella Sutton was already looking awkward because of Winnie Hayes’s sharp question. But now, seeing that Sophie Winslow was not only listed but placed in the first position, it felt like countless needles were pricking her all over. As if demanding an explanation, she asked with a cold expression, "Mr. Preston, what does Helios mean by this?"

Were they blatantly letting Sophie Winslow reap the rewards of others’ labor? Since when did Helios become such a ragtag operation?

Peter Preston glanced at her, then spoke directly to Winnie Hayes. "Mr. Hayes, regarding the question you just asked Miss Sutton, I can actually answer it on her behalf."

He knew exactly what these people were thinking. Stella Sutton had just tried to claim credit for the work, which was truly shameless!

Unfazed by the current situation, Winnie Hayes looked over. "Let’s hear it."

Peter Preston chuckled. "Miss Sutton did participate, and she did work on a formula. However... it was completely scrapped. It was unusable and had severe side effects because it only focused on the drug’s efficacy. The whole thing was rejected and rewritten. Therefore, the success of this drug has absolutely nothing to do with Miss Sutton."

Stella Sutton’s expression shifted slightly. From the corner of her eye, she subconsciously glanced around, wishing she could manually turn the volume of Peter Preston’s voice all the way down. She had assumed Peter Preston was going to explain to them why Sophie Winslow was listed as the first author. She hadn’t expected him to publicly humiliate her like this!

Had Sophie Winslow’s influence caused him to belittle her as if she were worthless?

With Peter Preston tearing her down right in front of Winnie Hayes, Stella Sutton steadied her expression and enunciated every word to defend herself. "I only said I participated; I never explicitly claimed it was my own creation. For Mr. Preston to speak of me this way makes me feel very hurt. After all, I have never done anything to offend Mr. Preston."

Understanding her angle of taking the moral high ground, Sophie Winslow calmly exposed her. "Does explaining the truth and preventing you from taking undue credit and benefits count as bullying you?"

"Sophie Winslow, what needs to be explained right now is your theft of others’ achievements! Please don’t take your emotions out on me!" Stella Sutton sneered.

But the situation did not escalate. Winnie Hayes’s assistant came over to remind her of her next appointment. Only then did Winnie Hayes glance at Julian Sterling, who had remained uninvolved the entire time. "Mr. Sterling, it’s best not to be too indulgent in a public setting."

Julian Sterling looked over, but Winnie Hayes paid no mind to his attitude, turning around and leaving.

Ultimately, these were people brought by Julian Sterling, making a fuss and demanding explanations. How could she not see that this was driven by a thirst for profit and fame? In her eyes, Julian Sterling was also at fault. She had previously led Peter Preston in a research project, so she naturally understood his character. He certainly wasn’t the type to use public office for private gain.

Stella Sutton didn’t understand. She had laid things out so clearly—why didn’t Winnie Hayes question the Helios team for stuffing their roster and turning the research project into a mess?

"Everyone, excuse us." Peter Preston had no intention of explaining anything to them.

Sophie Winslow was even less inclined to argue with fools. The two of them turned around and walked away, abruptly bringing the farce to an end and leaving the instigators hanging.

Even Finn Lockwood couldn’t help but be astonished. "Has Mr. Preston lost his mind? With such a large team and so many senior researchers, he gave the most important signature position to Sophie Winslow? Is her charm really that powerful?"

Evan York looked at him. "Why can’t it just be that Sophie Winslow actually has the ability?"

With an ugly expression, Stella Sutton cast a glance at Sophie Winslow’s name on the large screen. Unwillingness flickered in her eyes. "Impossible."

Saying this, she took a deep breath. "Don’t forget what happened a while ago. Helios removed Sophie Winslow from the clinical trials. Plus, Julian invested so much money into Helios. As the person involved, Sophie Winslow is the reason Helios got that financing in the first place. That alone is enough for Helios to treat her differently. It’s nothing more than bought honor; it can’t be taken seriously."

Back when the incident with Seth happened at the hospital, Sophie Winslow was almost fired by Helios. She figured it was Sophie Winslow who plotted with Peter Preston to extort that massive financing from Julian Sterling, which was how she earned Peter Preston’s favor.

Finn Lockwood also felt this was the most likely possibility. Shaking his head, he said, "How far can she go like this? She picked up the honor this time, but can she do it again next time?"

Stella Sutton sneered silently. What Sophie Winslow did this time was no different from stealing. She had stolen the hard work of so many people from Helios and Kingsford University. She was bound to be boycotted in the future and destined not to be smug for too long.

"Julian?" Although she understood this reasoning, her heart still burned with indignation. Full of unwillingness and dissatisfaction, she could only look back at Julian Sterling with a mournful expression.

Julian Sterling slowly stood up. Instead, he looked at the pensive Evan York. "Your grandmother seems quite interested in Sophie Winslow."

The moment he mentioned Sophie Winslow, Stella Sutton pursed her lips, becoming even more unhappy.

Evan York also furrowed his brows. It seemed like she really was? The old lady of his family had never been so pleasant to anyone before.

***

Sophie Winslow could roughly guess what was happening back there. After exiting the venue, she happened to see Winnie Hayes about to get into a car.

Upon seeing her, the elderly woman immediately waved. Sophie Winslow quickly jogged over.

Reluctant to leave right away, Winnie Hayes pulled out her phone. "Winslow, let’s add each other on WhatsApp."

Sophie Winslow was naturally willing. "I’ll scan your code."

The more Winnie Hayes looked at Sophie Winslow, the more she liked her. This kind of immediate affinity was truly inexplicable. Beaming as they added each other on WhatsApp, she said, "Come over to my house for a meal another day when you’re not busy. I’ll be in Kingsford for two months leading a project and mentoring students. Bring Preston along with you when you come."

Sophie Winslow smiled. "Alright, then we’ll be intruding on your hospitality."

Winnie Hayes really had business to attend to. Despite feeling an inexplicable, strange sense of reluctance to part, she had no choice but to leave first.

Watching the car drive away, Peter Preston said in amazement, "Do you know how difficult Mr. Hayes is to deal with? I’ve rarely even seen her smile, yet she’s so kind and gentle to you."

Sophie Winslow shrugged. "Who can blame me for having a likable face? You’re riding my coattails to get a free meal at the teacher’s house, so just enjoy the perk."

Peter Preston was speechless. He wanted to pinch her.

They were used to joking around, but today’s good news was worth celebrating. The drug was officially completed. Next, it would be up to the other departments in the company to handle the handover.

Peter Preston said, "Everyone has worked hard for so long. Let’s arrange a celebration dinner and all go relax together. I’ll set the itinerary."

Sophie Winslow didn’t object. After all, they had been pulling all-nighters in the lab lately, and everyone was quite exhausted. It would still take some time for the drug to be included in medical insurance, manufactured, and launched on the market, but the most difficult stage had already been overcome.

Just as they were about to get into the car, Sophie Winslow’s phone rang. Without checking who it was, she answered it directly. "Hello."

There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then, a man’s deeply resonant and cold voice came through the receiver. "Sophie, it’s Adrian Hawthorne. I’m back in the country. Is it convenient to meet up?"