Dr.
Henry’s attention sharpened.
“What is missing?”
Isla swallowed, wincing as pain tore through her throat.
“My final research journal.
It contains the last modifications to the formula.
It was gone when my belongings were recovered from the Spencer estate.”
“And the rest?”
“Early trial records, stability data, my provisional patent, and two sealed samples.”
Dr.
Henry considered this.
“The missing journal complicates verification, but it doesn’t make it impossible.
May I examine what remains?”
Before Isla could answer, the family healer approached with a portable monitor.
“We need to check you and the pup.”
Her hand immediately covered her stomach.
“Is something wrong?”
“Stress and oxygen deprivation can affect a pregnancy.
I need to confirm the heartbeat.”
Fear drove away every other concern.
Isla allowed him to examine her.
The entire time, she remained on the opposite side of the room from Logan.
He hadn’t moved since Vespera condemned his actions.
Yet Isla could feel his attention following her.
The healer finally nodded.
“The pup’s heartbeat is strong.”
Relief weakened her knees.
Logan took one step toward her.
Isla flinched before she could stop herself.
He froze.
“Isla—”
“Not now.”
Something dark crossed his face, but he inclined his head and stepped back.
Vespera remained on the sofa with an oxygen mask covering her mouth and nose.
Though pale, her gaze was alert.
“Send guards to the penthouse,” she ordered.
“Bring the research box here.
No one opens or touches it without Isla’s permission.”
Two Vale guards departed immediately.
It took nearly an hour for them to return.
Isla spent the wait in silence, sipping water despite the pain in her throat.
Logan stood near the windows, keeping his distance.
He didn’t attempt to explain himself again.
When the wooden box arrived, Isla personally inspected its lock before opening it.
Inside were years of work. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
Worn notebooks documented every failed trial and corrected ratio.
Handwritten charts tracked the reactions of different wolves to suppressants.
Her provisional patent certificate lay beneath several reports from Ashworth University.
Two small vials remained sealed in protective cases.
Dr.
Henry put on gloves before touching anything.
He examined the dates first, then compared the formulas across several notebooks.
His expression grew increasingly absorbed.
“These early compounds failed,” he murmured.
“They suppressed violent instincts, but they also weakened the bond between the wolf and the human consciousness,” Isla explained.
“I wanted stabilization without forced submission.”
Dr.
Henry turned another page.
“You reduced the wolfsbane concentration and replaced it with moonroot proteins.”
“It preserved the wolf’s awareness.”
“And prevented the aggression from returning when the medication wore off,” he concluded.
Isla nodded.
He lifted the provisional patent, studying its filing date.
“The progression is consistent.
Each failed ratio leads logically to the compound described here.”
A spark of pride warmed Isla’s chest.
Lyra’s cold laugh extinguished it.
“Or she copied someone else’s experiments, including their failures.”
Dr.
Henry looked up.
“That is a serious accusation.”
“So is deceiving the Vale family.” Lyra’s gaze settled on the empty space inside the box.
“How convenient that the most important journal has disappeared.”
Roland stepped beside his wife.
“A provisional patent only proves she submitted documents.
It doesn’t prove she created them.”
“You have grounds to request verification,” Dr.
Henry said.
“You do not have grounds to call her a thief without evidence.”
“Look at her,” Lyra snapped.
“She has no laboratory, no respected mentor, and no professional reputation.
Are we supposed to believe an insignificant Omega created something that impressed you?”
Serena surged forward.
‘Let me answer her.’
‘Not yet.’
Isla carefully closed one of the notebooks.
“Test it.”
Lyra paused.
“What?”
“Verify the patent’s submission date.
Compare the formula against every registered compound.
Analyze the sealed samples and test whether they produce the results recorded in my notes.”
Henry.
“Can it be done?”
“Yes.
I can supervise the process and have an independent laboratory repeat the analysis.”
“Then do it.” Isla placed both hands on the box.
“But no one in this family touches my original research again.”
Vespera’s tired voice cut through the room.
“The materials will be sealed.
Dr.
Henry and a neutral witness will retain the only keys.”
Lyra’s eyes narrowed.
“And when the tests expose her?”
Isla met her gaze.
“If the formula is ineffective, if my patent was filed after comparable research, or if you prove these records belong to someone else, I’ll invoke the divorce clause in my contract.”
The room went still.
A sharp crack broke the silence.
The glass in Logan’s hand had fractured.
“You do not get to wager our marriage without consulting me,” he said.
Isla turned toward him.
The marks left by his fingers throbbed around her throat.
“You nearly ended it with your hands less than an hour ago.”
His expression hardened, but no denial came.
Lyra’s smile widened.
“You will divorce Logan and leave the Vale family?”
“I will activate the divorce clause,” Isla confirmed.
“But my child and my research are not part of the wager.”
“And if the work is genuine?” Vespera asked.
“Everyone who publicly called me a thief will kneel, withdraw the accusation, and apologize.”
Outrage spread through the room.
“Kneel to an Omega?” Roland demanded.
“You had no difficulty looking down on one,” Isla replied.
“It should be easy.”
Lyra stepped forward.
“Accepted.
You may as well start preparing the divorce papers.”
Isla closed the wooden box.
“Start preparing your apology.”
Dr.
Henry secured the lock with an evidence seal.
Vespera raised one trembling hand.
“The wager is witnessed.
No one will interfere with the testing, and no one leaves this estate with Isla’s research.”
Isla should have felt relieved.
Instead, she stared at the empty space where the blue journal belonged.
Someone had already taken the most important part.