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Novel Catalog
Chapter 14
Roxanne was unaware of the incident at the kindergarten. After dropping off her children, she made her way directly to the research institute, where she had a meeting scheduled with her professor.
The moment she stepped into the building, she was greeted by the sight of a familiar face: a charming man in a well-tailored suit approached her with a warm smile.
“Welcome back, Roxanne,” Colby Galloway said, his voice rich with enthusiasm. “I’m thrilled to be working with you again.”
Roxanne offered a polite nod and shook his hand. She quickly withdrew her hand afterward, maintaining her usual composed demeanor.
Colby had recently returned from abroad. Like Roxanne, he had been part of Harvey’s team, contributing to various research and development projects. During their time overseas, Colby had worked closely with her as her assistant. A graduate of a prestigious school, his abilities were well recognized by both Roxanne and Harvey.
Though Roxanne remained impassive in her greeting, Colby didn’t seem to mind. His smile never faltered. “Come on. I’ll show you to your office,” he said, his tone light and friendly.
As they walked, Colby shared details about the structure of the research institute, explaining the key personnel and ongoing projects.
When they reached the office, Colby stepped aside with a grin. “I had this place decorated just for you, based on your preferences from the past. Linda’s office is just outside.”
Roxanne took a moment to study the office before nodding in approval. “It’s perfect. Thank you. You’ve been thoughtful.”
Colby was momentarily caught off guard by her words. His expression softened, and he smiled warmly. “It’s nothing. You don’t have to thank me.”
As he spoke, his admiration for her was clear in his gaze, though he tried to hide it. Despite knowing that she was a mother of two, his feelings for her had only grown. Roxanne was exceptional in every way, and her qualities seemed to overshadow any perceived shortcomings.
But Roxanne didn’t seem to notice the way he looked at her. She glanced around the room, taking in the details, before turning back to Colby. “I came here today to get a better understanding of the institute’s operations. Could you give me a tour of the facility?”
Colby smiled brightly and nodded. “Of course.”
Roxanne gave him a small nod, signaling for him to lead the way.
However, as Colby walked ahead of her, his smile faltered slightly. She still sees me as just a subordinate, he thought, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. It’s hard to watch her be so indifferent when all I want is for her to notice me as something more.
Despite his internal conflict, Colby led her through the institute, past various departments and testing areas, introducing her to the key members of the research team. They soon reached the main research zone where rows of researchers in lab coats were busy at their workbenches, engrossed in their tasks.
Roxanne did not want to disturb their work, so she asked Colby to briefly describe the projects and their current progress. As they moved from area to area, she absorbed the information quickly.
By the afternoon, Roxanne had a clear overview of the institute’s operations. However, she had also noticed something troubling.
As they passed a section of the testing area, Roxanne’s attention was drawn to a space that stood completely idle. No research was being carried out there, and the equipment appeared unused. Her brow furrowed in concern.
She asked the researchers nearby about the area, only to discover that the delay in receiving critical drugs was the cause of the holdup. The required supplies had not yet been distributed, leaving several projects stagnating.
“What’s the status of the drug distribution?” Roxanne asked Colby, her tone growing more serious. “I’ve noticed several research areas are on hold. What’s going on here? Didn’t you find a solution to this issue?”
Colby’s smile dimmed, his expression becoming more guarded. He had hoped to keep things running smoothly, but now the problem was out in the open. “The delays are… more complicated than we anticipated,” he explained, his voice tense. “The supply chain issues have caused delays in receiving the necessary chemicals, which has, in turn, affected the progression of multiple projects.”
Roxanne’s frown deepened. “And this has caused a backlog of research, leading to additional costs and extended timelines?”
Colby nodded, his frustration evident now. “Yes. Some of the projects have been delayed for weeks. We’re trying to work out a solution, but…” He trailed off, unwilling to admit how bad the situation had become.
Roxanne’s eyes narrowed as she processed the information. The implications of these delays were far-reaching, and they weren’t just inconvenient—they were costly, both financially and in terms of the institute’s reputation.
“You should have found a solution by now,” Roxanne said sternly. “The institute’s resources are being wasted, and we’re losing precious time. We need to fix this immediately.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with authority. Colby swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her disappointment. He had hoped to impress her with his leadership, but now he felt exposed.
“I’ll do my best to resolve this, Roxanne,” he said, his voice steady, but his gaze was filled with concern. “I’ll ensure that the necessary supplies are distributed as soon as possible.”
Roxanne nodded once, her expression softening slightly, though her concern remained. “See that you do.”
As they left the testing area, Colby couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and frustration. He knew he had to solve the problem quickly, not just for the sake of the research institute, but also to prove himself to Roxanne.
She might not see him as more than a colleague now, but he wouldn’t give up. He was determined to show her that he was more than just a subordinate.
