Under the microscope, Deanna discovered that the potion she thought had successfully fused was not actually successful. The potency of the potion had significantly decreased, effectively reducing its efficacy by half.
Seeing this, Deanna frowned and set the potion aside. She picked up a piece of scratch paper with conversion formulas from her desk, trying to figure out where the problem was. After recalculating, she found she had made a mistake with one of the data points.
By then, it was already five in the afternoon, not enough time to conduct another experiment. She decided not to push it.
At the same time, Lionel walked in from outside and asked, "How did it go today? Any progress?"
"The two potions can be fused, but their efficacy is reduced. However, I found the issue. If all goes well, I should have accurate data by tomorrow. Then you can use this method for potency fusion," Deanna reported her recent work succinctly.
Lionel's emotions fluctuated as he listened. However, hearing that Deanna would solve the problem by tomorrow made him very happy. "Miss Jones, you're truly amazing."
"It's not me; it's my master. Without my master's guidance, I wouldn't have found a solution so quickly," Deanna replied modestly with a smile.
Lionel disagreed. "You and your master are both incredible. Have you ever thought about staying and doing research with me?"
"Stay?" Deanna looked at him in surprise. She hadn't expected Lionel to say that.
Seeing her surprised expression, Lionel nodded. "I think with your abilities, being just an herbalist is a waste of talent. Of course, I would offer you the highest salary."
"Mr. Grant, you're joking. I'm used to my freedom. I wouldn't adapt to a nine-to-five schedule at a research institute, so thank you for your kind offer," Deanna politely declined.
Lionel didn't want to give up so easily. He genuinely wanted to keep such a talented herbalist doctor like Deanna. "Miss Jones, I really think you should consider it. You have unique insights into various medicinal properties. With my research institute, we could develop many useful medicines to treat various diseases."
Looking at the man trying to persuade her, Deanna felt a bit helpless but remained firm. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Mr. Grant. But as I said, I'm not used to a nine-to-five life. Besides, you might not know this, but I've only been studying traditional medicine for six years. I'm not as skilled as you think."
Hearing this, Lionel was momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected that Deanna wasn't a graduate of a formal medical school. After all, in their discussions over the past few days, she could talk theory with him.
This made him even more eager to recruit Deanna. "Miss Jones, you're too modest. If you have such abilities after just six years of study, it makes me feel ashamed as someone who has studied for nearly ten years. How about this: I won't ask for an answer now. Please think about it."
Deanna wanted to say that no matter how much she thought about it, she wouldn't agree. But seeing Lionel's expression, she knew he wouldn't listen even if she said so. So she nodded and said she would consider it.
In any case, once the research succeeded tomorrow, she would leave immediately.
Unaware of her thoughts, Lionel smiled when he saw she was willing to consider it and then invited her to dinner. "It's almost dinner time. Let me treat you to a meal."
"Uh, no thanks. I'd like to go back and rest early. I've been experimenting all day and I'm a bit tired," Deanna declined again.
She wasn't lying; she had been tense all day during the experiments and was genuinely exhausted.
Thinking for a moment, she added with a smile, "If Mr. Grant needs company for dinner, you could invite Miss Woodard."
"Miss Woodard is off today," Lionel said, glancing at Deanna before adding, "Miss Woodard and I are just colleagues."
Deanna blinked, realizing her attempt at matchmaking had been seen through. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she said, "I see, I misunderstood. Well, it's getting late; I'll head back now."
"I'll drive you back. It's hard to get a cab at this hour," Lionel offered.
Deanna couldn't refuse again and nodded.
Back at the hotel, she ordered dinner and received a call from Lance.
"You're back at the hotel," Lance noted confidently upon seeing the background behind Deanna.
Deanna nodded. "I've been experimenting all day and I'm tired. I wanted to come back and rest early."
Hearing this and seeing the undisguised fatigue on Deanna's face in the video, Lance felt very concerned.
He frowned and asked, "Is the experiment urgent?"