CEO's Tears Over Pregnancy Test Discovery

Karina let out a sigh. "Maybe the topic didn't align with their core values?"

"Don't let anyone else hear you say that," Yvette warned, visibly uneasy as she shuddered. "If word gets out, you're done for."

It was clear Yvette couldn't believe Karina had the audacity to openly criticize the Association. Who else would dare?

"I'm just trying to find some humor in a bad situation," Karina said, exasperated. "I put so much effort into that paper, and now that it's been rejected, can't I even vent a little?"

Yvette sighed again and plopped into a chair. "Seriously, though, why'd you even pick a fight with the Association? Now look, you and Dr. Wilfred are probably the only two people they've ever deliberately targeted." Karina froze for a moment, then felt an unexpected urge to laugh.

Technically, Wilfred wasn't her mentor in the formal sense, but the situation was undeniably ironic. His paper had also been rejected by the Association in the past, and now hers had been too.

It seemed the Association had a vendetta against them.

Still, Karina wasn't planning to sit back and accept defeat. Letting this go would mean never publishing a paper again, and that wasn't an option.

deep thought, but for now, no solutions came to mind. With no other choice, she set the problem aside for the

told Wilfred

After listening, he merely furrowed his brows. "I suspected as much,

didn't elaborate further, and Karina assumed he felt the same as she did

days later, Karina received an exciting new research project. Enthusiastic, she rushed to find Wilfred, only to discover he wasn't there. "Excuse

equally puzzled. "No idea. He didn't say. I was hoping you'd know when he'll be back,

surgeries on average, many of which were complex.

absence left everyone

thanked the doctor and left, deep in

it was for something urgent. What could have kept him away all day? She couldn't

on one herself. By the time she was done in the evening, she was exhausted, her shoulders aching as

as she considered collapsing on the nearest bench, she heard voices down the hall. "Good evening,