---- Chapter 106 "Don't forget about your training session today." James' cold voice came through the phone. "It's already 2:10 pm. You're not at the office." Wendy set down her pen and replied coolly, "I won't be coming today. And I won't be coming again in the future." "What's the reason?" His voice held a trace of irritation. Wendy didn't hold back.

"I have more important work to do." "Don't forget that you already signed a contract." "That was just a contract between Frank Group and the medical project . My participation in the training was only a verbal agreement." And she had already fulfilled her part of that verbal agreement . But now, James wanted to pull out and abandon the collaboration. Her unwavering tone made him go silent for a few seconds. Then James' voice came back, sharp and forceful.

"You talk to me like this, and you're not afraid I'll pull the funding?" This time, it was Wendy who paused for a moment. "If you treat collaboration like a game, then I don't see why I should tolerate your threats. The outcome is always up to your mood anyway, isn't it?" Without waiting for a response, she hung up. ---- She didn't want to hear his arrogant , overbearing voice any longer. Setting her phone to silent, she placed it aside.

The quiet that followed was a relief, but it also stirred some unease. Losing the funding would seriously impact the hospital and the research team. But Wendy had no desire to see James' face again, let alone cave to his pressure. Still, she couldn't afford to lose the funding, and she refused to appear weak. Gripping her pen, she scribbled aimlessly ona blank sheet of paper, lips pressed tightly together. If necessary , she would look for new sponsors herself.

There was still time before the symposium . She figured she could take a few minutes to talk to Gregory and explain the situation, Securing sponsorship wouldn't be easy, but it wasn't impossible either. Having made her decision, Wendy felt much more composed. At 2:30 pm, she arrived at the door of the hospital's largest conference room and saw Gregory already waiting. "Dr. Hendrix, Ineed to speak with you about something," Wendy said, taking a deep breath. Gregory greeted her with a smile.

"I have something to tell you, too. Good news. Let me go first." ---- He pulled out his phone and showed her a screenshot of a deposit slip. "The funding from Frank Group for the research project has been secured. And it's all thanks to you." Wendy blinked, then leaned in to study the image. Everything matched James' private account, from the official stamp to the account details. They were details she recognized from helping him with transactions in the past.

"Didn't James say he was pulling the funding? How did-" This wasn't how she expected things to go. For a moment, Wendy didn't know what to say, worried that even one word might somehow jinx it. Gregory patted her shoulder . "It was close, but the funding stayed in place. They said it was because of your confidence in the project . Frank Group believes it has great potential , and that's why they agreed to continue investing." Wendy felt lightheaded.

Just 20 minutes ago, James had called to threaten her, speaking so coldly and firmly. How could he turn around and let someone give her credit like this?