Chapter 9
The notification about the patent transfer landed right on time; 10 AM sharp the next morning.
I stood at my front door, staring at the official confirmation from the Patent Office on my phone.
It was done.
The three core patents were officially moved from my name to HarperTech Group.
From this moment on, every product LaneBio Group had on the market was using unauthorized formulas without proper authorization.
That's blatant infringement.
The longer they kept selling, the more they'd owe in compensation.
I slipped my phone into my bag, threw on a fresh coat, and headed out.
Downstairs, a black van was already waiting for me.
HarperTech had arranged it.
Inside, a young woman sat with a HarperTech ID badge clipped to her shirt. "Hi, Ms. Nolan. I'm your executive assistant, Elara Grant. Mr. Harper asked me to help you out with everything today."
Ms. Nolan.
Funny. No one's ever called me that before.
Not once.
At LaneBio, everyone called me "Mrs. Lane."
"Elara, which media outlets are coming today?" I asked.
"The Business Daily, New Business Weekly, Tech Insider, and a business segment from Eastern TV. Four in total."
"Who else is attending?"
"Victor will be there, along with HarperTech Group's PR director and legal director. And..." she hesitated for a moment.
"And what else?"
"Mr. Harper said you might want a lawyer present, so your lawyer friend Jessica has already confirmed she'll be there."
I nodded.
Victor really had thought of everything.
As we pulled into the tech park, I could already see a bunch of media vans parked outside the HarperTech building.
On the LED screen, a message scrolled by: [HarperTech Group Strategic Press Conference, 2:00 PM.]
I checked my watch.
It was 1:30 PM.
Thirty minutes to go.
My phone rang.
It was Andrew.
"Susan, didn't you say we'd talk about the agreement this afternoon? Where are you?" he pressed.
"I'm busy with something over at Eastgate."
"Eastgate? What are you doing over there again? Are you going to sign the agreement or not? I don't have time to waste on this."
"Andrew, switch on the TV and check out Eastern TV's business show."
"What?"
"Wait till two. You'll see for yourself."
I hung up.
Victor walked up to greet me at the entrance. "Ready?"
"Ready."
He stepped aside. "Then let's go in, Ms. Nolan."
The press conference hall was bathed in bright lights.
The cameras from all four media outlets were already set up.
More than twenty industry analysts and investors were seated in the front rows.
On the big screen, today's topic was displayed: "HarperTech Group's Major Acquisition and Key Talent Announcement."
I took my seat behind the podium.
In front of me were a microphone, a glass of water, and my speech notes, all neatly laid out.
Victor sat to my right.
"Susan."
"Yeah?"
"Your husband might call you later."
"I know."
"Are you scared?"
I adjusted the microphone. "I've been waiting three years for this moment."
At exactly 2 PM.
The lights focused on the stage.
The cameras' red recording lights came on.
Victor stood up. "Friends from the media, colleagues from the industry...
"Today, HarperTech Group is making two major announcements. First, we've successfully acquired three core patents in the anti-aging field for three billion dollars.
"Second, we're honored to welcome the inventor of these patents, Ms. Susan Nolan, as our new Chief Research Officer."
On the big screen, my photo, the patent numbers, and the transfer confirmation flashed across.
Click.
Camera shutters started snapping all around.
"Ms. Nolan, would you like to say a few words?"
I stood up.
With all the cameras and flashing lights on me, I took a deep breath.
"Most people know who actually created the core formula behind LaneBio Group's hit products these past few years..."
Someone in the audience raised their hand, "Ms. Nolan, those patents used to be licensed to LaneBio Group. What's going on with them now?"
"The license has been terminated," I said, locking eyes with the cameras.
"Starting today, if LaneBio Group continues to manufacture or sell anything using these formulas, they'll be infringing on my patents."