Chapter 262
"You want to ease me out gently? Then I'll let the whole world see how you treat an old scientist who came back out of patriotism."
She wanted to see if the lab would still dare to insist on sending her home to rest under overwhelming public pressure.
As night fell, the online public opinion began to ferment as expected.
【Nobel Prize Winner Squeezed Out After Returning Home】
【National Lab Kicks Away the Ladder After Crossing the River】
【Dr. Harris Effectively Fired】
......
One shocking headline after another began appearing on trending lists across major platforms.
The articles were extremely inflammatory, describing in detail how the lab used Kathy's reputation to attract investment, and then after securing funding, tried to push her out under the guise of "adjusting her condition."
Between the lines, Kathy was portrayed as a tragic scientist full of passion to serve her country, only to be persecuted by interest groups working together.
The paid trolls began frantically stirring things up, with the comment sections filled with angry denunciations.
"This is so heartbreaking! She's a Nobel Prize winner!"
"Use her and then throw her away—is this how we treat scientists?"
"I heard the one squeezing her out is her own daughter Elaine, unbelievable..."
But this storm of public opinion had a surprisingly short lifespan.
In less than three hours, those trending topics began disappearing one by one.
Links to related articles showed "content deleted" when clicked, comment sections were massively cleaned up, and troll accounts were banned one after another.
In their place appeared clarifying reports from authoritative media—
【National Virus Research Institute: Dr. Harris Temporarily Leaving Frontline Due to Health Reasons, Normal Personnel Adjustment】
【Wilder Responds: Dr. Harris Will Always Be a Valuable Asset to the Lab, Looking Forward to Her Return in Best Condition】
The wording was gentle and the attitude sincere, both denying the claims of squeezing her out while giving Kathy plenty of face.
Fake Kathy sat at home, refreshing her phone screen, her expression growing darker.
The head of her troll operation sent a message: 【Boss, it's no good. They're reacting too fast. All our content is being deleted in batches. They clearly have a professional PR team working, and... it seems to have official backing.】
Fake Kathy threw her phone hard onto the sofa.
"Useless!"
She hissed through gritted teeth.
She hadn't expected Elaine's side to react so quickly and use such forceful methods.
......
The next evening, when Elaine came home from work, she was surprised to find fake Kathy preparing dinner in the kitchen.
"Elaine's home?"
Fake Kathy turned around, her face wearing a gentle smile, completely different from yesterday's angry demeanor.
"I made your favorite soup and a few dishes. Tired from work? Go wash your hands, dinner will be ready soon."
Elaine stood at the kitchen doorway, a flash of wariness in her eyes, though her face showed some emotion.
"Mom, how come... Are you feeling better?"
"Much better."
Fake Kathy turned off the stove, wiped her hands, walked over and took Elaine's hand, her tone sincere. "Elaine, I was in a bad mood yesterday and spoke too harshly. Don't take it to heart. I know you mean well and care about me."
She sighed, her eyes showing some loneliness. "Actually, you were right. I've been away from frontline research too long, and many things have gotten rusty. Coming back suddenly to take on such heavy responsibilities, I really am a bit overwhelmed. Wilder asking me to rest and adjust is for my own good."
Elaine looked at her quietly without speaking.
Fake Kathy gripped her hand tighter, her voice more earnest. "But Elaine, I truly love research and really want to contribute to the country. Could you... talk to Wilder for me and let me return to the lab? I'm not asking for a core position—I'll start from basic work and adapt gradually. Is that okay?"
Her attitude was so soft it was almost humble, completely different from yesterday's aggressive stance.
Elaine lowered her eyes, hiding the coldness in them.
She gently withdrew her hand from fake Kathy's grip, her expression still gentle.
"Mom, I really can't help you with this."
"Wilder's decision is based on consideration for the entire lab. You've been away from frontline research too long, and many things need to be relearned. That's a fact."
She paused, looking at fake Kathy's instantly frozen expression, and continued, "Besides, you said yourself you were in a bad mood yesterday. Doesn't that prove you need rest and adjustment? Just recuperate at home during this time. The research isn't urgent."
Fake Kathy's voice suddenly rose, the gentle facade shattering instantly. "Do you know what those research projects mean? Do you know how many people might... with every day we delay..."
"I know."
Elaine calmly interrupted her. "Precisely because I know, I can't let someone in poor condition participate in core research. Mom, have you forgotten? You taught me before that the worst thing in research is being hasty for success. If even basic operations are rusty, how can we ensure experimental rigor?"
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, chilling fake Kathy to the bone.
"You..."
Fake Kathy's face went from pale to livid, finally tearing off all pretense. "Elaine, you've got big wings now, haven't you? Dare to talk to me like this? Let me tell you, without me, where would you be? Without my achievements back then, you think you could have entered the national lab? You think you could have your position today?"
Her voice grew increasingly shrill. "I really regret it, regret giving birth to such an ungrateful daughter! If I'd known you'd be like this..."
"Mom."
Elaine suddenly spoke, cutting off fake Kathy's words.
She raised her head, looking directly into fake Kathy's eyes. Those usually gentle, clear eyes were now so deep they were startling.
"Do you really still remember how to be a mother?"
Fake Kathy opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound.
Elaine continued, "You disappeared for ten years. I searched for you for ten years. During those ten years, every day I wondered if you were still alive, if you were doing well, when you'd come back. Now you're back, and I'm happy, really."
Her voice was calm, yet it made fake Kathy feel an inexplicable chill.
"But if the purpose of your return is just to use this identity to achieve certain goals..."
Elaine tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp as a knife. "Then I suggest you think carefully about how to play this role properly. After all, blood ties are innate, but feelings can't be faked."
With that, she turned toward the stairs, leaving fake Kathy standing frozen at the kitchen doorway.
It wasn't until Elaine's footsteps disappeared on the second floor that fake Kathy suddenly snapped back to reality, her back already drenched in cold sweat.