Awaiting the Heir

Dr. Lily James had prec

aiting for her presentation in the Goldener Hirsch Hotel confer

research should be supported going forward. 17 minutes in remembranc

mage in the mirror wal

was insufficient to cover up the shadows under her amber eyes. Her pre

partner, texted her: Where are yo

than she had anticipated if the foundation's infamously criti

revealing a sea of academic

roups of the scientific elite. Bits and pieces of their conversations drifted

her, his slack body almost pulsing with s

ion. She tapped the tablet she was holdi

ulia's voice trailed off. "The rumors are accurate. After t

Last cycle, they provided fun

ourteen. Maximum. Julia

ome is convincing. Individual

mma is not at issue here."

d seven-year-old who had withered in Lily's sight, he

xt to a hospital bed that was too big for her sist

that no one els

yndrome than anyone had ever had. Furthermore, she might never

s." A conference assist

silver head was in the middle of a row of skeptics' faces as she looked around the audi

the crowd's ambient scrutiny, hit her

saw a man standing aga

rs; he was tall, with shoulders that comp

dn't avert his gaze when they locked eyes. Rather, a cor

elong in this realm of academic politics. Maybe security? However, his clothes' understated elega

es will be presenting on Novel Gene E

o look past the strange

d the intricate relationship between the protein misfolding in the syndrome and the body's ina

that perhaps, just possibly, she was onto something when she announced the breakt

"we can proceed to human trials in 18 months." We may be able to treat the un

astic applause. She had performed well but w

as the questions started, but he was no longer there. "Pay attention," she told

of champagne as the guests started to di

ed a flute in her hand. "Your entire

p of the wine, letting the bubbles to melt

a clattered his glass to hers. "Network a bit, please. Pr

ossible partners as she looked around for Gustafson. Rather, she kept getting sidetracked

ed several floors away from the conference chaos, an

he took out her tablet to go over the presentation again.

ation wasn't

e-eyed stranger seated on the chair across her close enough for he

what?" s

ve a slight nod in thanks. "The problem isn't what you presented. It's that half the peopl

f she should identify him as an

ld out his hand.

he name, but her thoughts were broken b

re familiar with Valo

sipped his beverage. "Your method of stabilizing protein

ularly." Her eyes narrowed. "Are you b

real. "No. Assume I'm a curious by

tion?" Lily was taken aback by how straightforward the ques

s a deep blue that almost looked cobalt, as if

refer small, rapidly monetizable improvements. However, other organizations are m

ow went up. "It's a coincidence that Valois

ned. In that area, the syndrome is especially com

ed on something in his tone. Her phone buzzed with Julia's na

After the third vibra

ent. "He'll make it throu

frie

relishing the faint burn. "It's been thre

wants to

ook. "You've only know

in an almost-smile. "And when you were talking about protein seq

aughed. "Julia is passionat

hat." Her eyes met Gabriel's, and the moment be

of water, and head back to her room to get ready for tomorrow's meeting. "What brings you

int dimple appeared in his rig

cal evidence and sta

at is empirically verifiable but statistically unlike

lored territory as she clinked her glass against his. It should have been a terrifying experience

lt strangely l