Aurora stood, closed her laptop, and walked out with him back into the lab. The moment the team saw her, more cheers followed.
"Boss!"
"Thank you, Boss!"
Aurora lifted her hand gently to quiet them down. "It's not just thanks to me," she said, her voice steady but kind. "This is a result of everyone's hard work. I'm proud of all of you."
The team beamed at her words, visibly moved.
Then, turning back to Dr. Maxwell, Aurora gave her final instructions. "Professor Martin, start the preparations. It's time for L Pharmaceuticals to go live. Make the public release under your name."
Maxwell blinked, stunned. "Wait… Boss… why under my name? Why not yours?"
"It doesn't matter whose name is on the patent," Aurora said, her gaze distant now. "What matters… is that this medicine reaches the people who need it."
Maxwell stared at her, feeling a lump form in his throat. There was more to it. He could feel it.
"…Is it because of what happened last year?" he thought.
