Tracy shook her head as she watched from the side. Their newly establishedboratory didn''t even have a janitor or a research talent.


    She figured attracting someone of Emily''s stature seemed utterly impossible. So, she poured two cups of water and sat down to watch the drama unfold. Matthew''s grin widened as he heard Emily''s response. "Do you need money?"


    She smiled indifferently and shook her head. "I''m not short on cash. My family bought a house and has a few million saved up."


    He shook his head. "That''s not what I meant. I''m asking if you need money for your research."


    Emily sized Matthew up and smiled. "Yes, I need money. A lot of it." She didn''t add that even selling hispany wouldn''t cover her research costs. He nodded. "If you need money, how much are we talking about?"


    She was caught off guard by his question about research funding. Laboratory funding required a lot of money, which wasn''t something a few million could cover.


    Emily had left her previous job because the funding was dictated by seniority and connections. Those with the right connections typically received more resources. She wasn''t willing to y the political game or beg for funds, which were never enough for her research. So, she resigned.


    She quoted an exaggerated amount because she wanted to scare Matthew off. Though she needed ten million dors for preliminary funding, she doubled it. She said, "20 million dors."


    He just smiled and replied, "Is 20 million dors enough? I''ll give you 100 million dors to set up yourboratory."


    What?


    Emily''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Although she had budgeted ten


    million dors for initial funding, her


    project would need at least 50 million dors to truly get off the ground. Yet, he was offering her 100


    million dors.


    She was so shocked that her mouth felt like it could have held an egg. After a long pause, she asked, "Are you really offering 100 million dors?" Matthew nodded. "Yes."


    At that moment, Ronald walked toward him and said, "Mr. Grant, Mr. Wood-"


    Before he could finish, Matthew cut him off sharply, "Shut up! Can''t you see I''m in the middle of an important discussion with a scientist?"


    He had heard of Emily during his school years and had seen her work featured in various medical journals. He held her in high regard and didn''t hesitate to interrupt Ronald.


    Ronald was stunned by the rebuke,


    and his face flushed with anger.


    "Matthew, this forum is organized by Mr. Wood. He demands you to apologize in his office immediately, or you''ll be thrown out."  Matthew seethed with anger. He stood up and red at him. "I''ll repeat it. I''m having an important discussion with a scientist, so shut up. If you can''t do that, I''ll help you."


    Ronald gritted his teeth. He was furious and ready tosh out. But when he remembered Matthew''s strength, he held back. "Well, then-"


    Before he could finish, Matthew delivered a sharp p. Ronald''s world went ck as he crumpled to the floor.


    Matthew turned to Emily as if nothing had happened and said, "Let''s continue our discussion. I can guarantee an upfront investment of 100 million dors."


    She was stunned and felt that he was crazy and downright violent. She had never seen someone knock out another person just for interrupting a conversation. After regaining herposure, she asked, "Is the 100 million dors allocated for scientific research?"


    Matthew pulled out his phone. "What''s your ount number? I''ll transfer the funds right now."