Robert went in with the money and started by paying the scientists. He looked at their suspicious looks and tried his best to assuage their fears by telling them that he had liquidated some assets.
Months went by, and to say things picked up for Robert would be an understatement. He hired more scientists, completed more projects, and drew attention from across the globe.
To his surprise, Derrick had stayed true to his word. He and his goons had stayed out of his lab. Just every now and then he was told to purchase some equipment from a company. There was no equipment, but they wrote him a receipt anyway and he handed over the money like it was hot.
A consequence of his renewed finances was that he spent even less time at home. He could feel that he was close to a breakthrough, all that was missing was a small piece of the puzzle.
They were trying to synthesize the DNA present in dragonflies that helped them regenerate their legs. The plan was to also extract and synthesize what gave earthworms such incredible regeneration powers and mix that with the dragonfly DNA. Robert's theory was that those two properties, once synthesized and combined properly, could be integrated into their second skin which would boost it. The side effects it would have on humans was still untested. They still needed the dragonfly DNA. However, every time they tried to extract it, they failed at the last minute.
However, the mere fact that they had gotten so close to success was enough to bring their laboratory to the attention of the scientific world.
What was once on the brink of collapse was now a triumph. In just a few months, Robert had gone from desperation to the front page of science magazines worldwide.
Robert did not expect that the same places and people who rejected him and mocked him when he needed funding would one day turn around and practically beg to fund his laboratory.
He laughed softly in his office. He began to wonder if the decision he had made to call Derrick was the right one. He had no idea but right outside his office, the final piece of the puzzle was about to click into place.
"DNA: 100% Synthesized," the machine rang out.
The scientists nearly fell out of their chairs.
"We've done it! We've done it!" shouted one.
Another held his forehead, eyes wide with disbelief. He had been on the project from the very beginning and had honestly given up hope at one point.
One scientist sprinted down the corridor, nearly missing Robert's door before bursting into his office.
"You can't just barge in here like that!" shouted Robert.
"Sorry, boss, but this can't wait, we did it!"
"Did what?"
"The DNA from the dragonfly. Synthesized."
"No!" said Robert in shock. His hands trembled as he shot to his feet.
"Yes!" shouted the scientist. "Come, look!"
They ran back to the lab. Robert burst through the doors and laid eyes on the monitor: DNA SYNTHESIZED.
His life's work was finally complete. He felt his vision blur as he began to cry.
To him, that screen represented his parents' sacrifice, his pain, and everything he had sacrificed.
He whispered to himself
"Maybe I'll get a Nobel Prize?"
Then snapped back to reality.
"Great work, guys. Tonight, we celebrate."
Later that night...
Robert burst through the door.
"Honey! Gabriel! Daniel! Get in here, quick!"
Nicole ran into the living room, out of breath. "Are you okay, honey? What's wrong?"
"Boys! Hurry up!" shouted Robert.
"Alright, Dad," said Gabriel in a sulky tone.
"Do I really need to come down?" asked Daniel. Both boys were irritated by their dad who just expected them to drop everything for him.
"Yes, unless you want to be grounded," despite the excitement in my voice, he was firm on that.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Daniel muttered.
As they all gathered in the living room, Robert could no longer hold back his grin.
"I did it!" he shouted ecstatically.
"Did what, Dad? You do a lot of stuff, we need more details," said Daniel.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," added Gabriel.
"That's enough sass, boys. Let your father talk," Nicole chided.
"The genetic manipulation. My big experiment. My life's work. I did it!"
Nicole screamed for joy, tears in her eyes.
"I know how much this means to you, honey. I'm so proud."
"Without you keeping me going, I wouldn't have made it. So it's we did it. Because the nights I had nothing left, you three gave me the strength."
"Bring it in, guys," said Robert.
"Dad... do we really have to hug?" asked Daniel.
"Come on, bro," said Gabriel. "Dad's worked his whole life for this, don't ruin it." Despite how reluctant he felt, he still decided to stick up for his dad.
"Okay, okay," said Daniel, and they all hugged.
Once that was done, Robert decided that he would take his family to a fancy restaurant to celebrate. However, there was one last thing he had to take care of.
Remembering the calls and offers of funding he has received, he knew what he had to do next.