David’s eyes glinted. "Care to tell everyone about how you're fucking your research assistant?"
It was a bit of a leap from the hand-holding he had witnessed. But to his credit, he wasn’t wrong. "Yes. Finn and I are in a relationship."
David blinked, clearly expecting her to deny it. He recovered quickly.
"He’s what, fifteen years younger than you? And you're his supervisor. Did you report this to HR?"
"He's twenty-six. And no, I didn't report it to HR." Elena paused, then added, "I should have. That was wrong of me."
David seemed thrown by the admission. "So you admit you violated institutional policy?"
"Yes. I let my personal feelings compromise my professional judgment. I should have recused myself from supervising him or disclosed the relationship immediately." Her voice was steady but carried genuine regret.
"I didn't, and that was a failure that I made as the lead researcher on this project.”
The board members exchanged glances. There was something disarming about Elena's complete lack of deflection.
David opened his mouth, clearly expecting more of a reaction to his attack. "The board will need to review this violation," he said, but it sounded hollow now.
"I understand," Elena said simply. "I'll accept whatever consequences the board deems appropriate."
No one seemed to know what to do next. Board members gathered their things in silence. David sat frozen in his chair,staring at the table. They’d backed him into a corner and exposed his corruption for everyone to see. Of course he wouldn’t have gone down without a fight.
But she had no idea what would happen next. For her career. For Finn. For the research that had been consuming most of her time. She’d just admitted to a relationship with her assistant that HR and legal would review. But who knew how far this would spread?
Elena looked at Finn and he met her eyes. They’d beaten David. At least it felt that way. Or maybe they just blew up everything they’d worked for.
Chapter Thirty-One
FINN
Finn sat in the chair across from Paul's desk, Elena beside him. A week had passed since the presentation, and they all knew why they were here.
"I should probably be speaking to you separately," Paul said, not quite meeting their eyes. "But given the urgency of the situation, I thought it best that we handle this together."
He turned his tablet toward them. The local news website filled the screen, its headline prominent: "Bridgepoint Executive Accused of Research Sabotage, Financial Misconduct."
"This went live two ago," Paul said. "My phone hasn't stopped ringing."
Finn scanned the article. Someone had leaked the basics: David's bonus structure, the failed protocols, and the compressed timelines.
"The board held an emergency meeting," Paul continued. "Several decisions were made." He paused, visibly uncomfortable. "Finn, effective immediately, you're being removed from the project."
He knew the shoe had to drop at some point. There was no chance that they would get out of this unscathed, especially after David exposed their relationship in front of the board. And he knew it was better that he faced the brunt of the consequences rather than Elena.
But none of that made the pill easier to swallow. Eight years. Between his education and the research itself, he’d dedicated nearly a decade of his life to this work. To understanding traumatic brain injury, to developing treatments that might help people like his brother. And now it was over.
"This isn't about your work," Paul added. "Your contributions have been invaluable. But there’s your relationship with Dr. Herrera. And your personal connection to a patient from the former trials. You’re way too close to this."
"I understand," Finn said, his voice steadier than he felt.
Paul seemed surprised by the lack of pushback. "Once the investigation into David begins, they'll examine everything about this lab.” He paused, looking between them. “Your involvement with each other will likely come under review.”
Elena leaned forward. “What does that mean for us?”
Paul’s expression softened. “It means you’ll need to be careful. Keep things professional in public until this thing dies down. The optics matter right now.”
"What about the research?" Finn asked.
