The laboratory explosion had leaked crucial data, but as the project lead, I found myself unexpectedly calm, savoring a cup of instant noodles. Meanwhile, my boyfriend was in a frenzy, bombarding me with messages, urging me to return. In my previous life, I had come back to find my computer brimming with papers supposedly written by my "junior colleague." I was accused of being a plagiarist as she tearfully claimed I had stolen her research. My boyfriend testified against me, alleging I had a history of dishonesty. I was ousted from the team, and the online backlash invaded my personal life. I lost my job, spiraled into despair, and eventually succumbed to severe depression, ending my life.

Yet they thrived, reaping profits from the vaccine developed using my research. Upon being reborn, I resolved not to repeat the same mistakes. Instead, I headed to the countryside to farm, eager to see if the habitual plagiarist could develop the vaccine without me.

The moment I submitted my resignation, my boyfriend couldn't stay quiet. "What are you doing? You've finally made it into the lab, and now you want to quit? Are you out of your mind? How can you risk your future like this?" His endless droning, masquerading as concern, made me sick. In my previous life, I worked in bioengineering. A recent virus outbreak had put our lab's vaccine development in the spotlight. As the lead on the project, I was naturally at the center of public attention, with everyone eager to know how things were progressing.

Determined not to let anyone down, I immersed myself in the lab for a solid month, finally discovering a promising direction. I promptly published a paper to share my findings. However, instead of praise, I was bombarded with insults. Just an hour earlier, my junior colleague, Freya Wagner, had published a paper with exactly the same research focus and data as mine. Since she published first, I was inevitably branded a plagiarist, tarnishing our entire lab’s reputation. "Fabricating data for research? How could you?" "Don't you realize the vaccine will be used on children and the elderly? Do you understand the stakes?" "You're beyond despicable, a disgrace to humanity!"

The online harassment spilled into the real world. Investors pulled out, and my mentor, Tanner Fisher, driven to despair, took his own life. I was held responsible. "If it weren’t for you, we wouldn't be in this mess!" The unbearable weight of it all led me into a deep depression, culminating in my decision to end it on a rooftop.

After being reborn, the first thing I did was withdraw from the vaccine venture. My boyfriend, Lochlan Hoffman, was frantic. "You've worked so hard for so many years, how can you just quit? Don’t you understand what developing this vaccine could mean for you if it succeeds?" Yes, I understood. It would make me a pioneer in the field.

"Then why are you being so reckless? Didn't you once say we'd work together for the betterment of humanity? Do you really want to abandon that promise?" Promise? The audacity he had to even mention that word. In my past life, when I was accused of plagiarism, he was the first to step up and throw me under the bus. He claimed I was a habitual plagiarist and had frequently used him as a cover. He further alleged that I had purchased my thesis from overseas. He apparently came clean this time to ease his conscience.

These words condemned me. I was labeled a serial plagiarist. And Lochlan? After my disgrace, he quickly dumped me and got together with my "junior colleague." They exploited my research to develop the vaccine, making a tidy sum before leaving the field and moving abroad for a carefree life.

Now that I've been given a second chance, why would I stay here and let them benefit from my efforts? Instead, I decided to leave and start anew in the countryside. I was eager to see how they would manage without my data to back their vaccine development!

That day, I handed in my resignation letter. The reason? "My family has several hundred acres of barley that need harvesting, and as the only daughter, it's my responsibility to help. Otherwise, they'd think I was ungrateful." They tried every possible angle to convince me to stay.

"We're all part of the same team. How can we manage without you?"

"Exactly, especially since we're at a critical stage in the vaccine research. How can you just walk away?"

And then there was my boyfriend, Lochlan, who tried to pull a reverse psychology trick on me.

"Nikki, you're not leaving because of that plagiarism incident, are you?"

"You can’t just quit after one mistake. Do you think leaving will erase everything?"

"You need to pull yourself together and prove your worth!"

I looked at him calmly and gave a nonchalant "Oh." In my previous life, I’d suffered so much online harassment that it drove me mad. By now, such words had lost their sting.

I had been goaded into trying to prove myself again. I locked myself in the lab for a month straight. To keep my mind sharp, I drank coffee until it felt like my veins were full of it. Under such pressure, I eventually made a crucial breakthrough. But just when I was about to announce my results, Freya somehow released the same findings before me, as if she was reading my every move.

Now that I've been given another chance in life, I don't care to figure out how she managed it. Leaving this place is the smart move. Can’t win the battle? Then I’ll retreat!

I smashed my computer on the spot, shredded my research papers, and made my decision clear: I was out of there for good.

"But..."

"Why don’t you come help harvest barley then?"

Lochlan froze. "I have no idea how to do that."

I laughed. Then why are you standing in my way?

"Step aside, you're blocking my path."

I threw away all my notepads and pens, leaving nothing behind. After clearing everything out, I felt refreshed and stepped out.

As soon as I looked up, I saw Freya approaching, pretending to be apologetic as she blocked my exit. "Nikki, are you really leaving? We’re all in the same team."

Oh, look at that farewell face, she’s quite the actress. Anyone who didn’t know better might think we were as close as sisters.

In my former life, after my public disgrace, she wrote an article that seemed to defend me, but each word was a subtle jab.

She said things like, "Everyone, please stop attacking her. She's just a girl seeking approval~"

"I’ve spent a lot of time with her, and I know her character well; she just likes to imitate. She usually copies my style and fashion sense. Maybe this time, she just went too far."

Those words led everyone online to believe I was not only a plagiarist but also a manipulative flirt. The number of people cursing my name could circle the globe!

"You’re a responsible person, Nikki. I trust you’re only joking, right?" she cautiously asked, trying to guilt-trip me into staying.

But I wasn’t falling for it anymore. I smiled slightly and patted her shoulder gently, "I’m leaving now, so I’ll leave the rest of the research to you."

"The hope of humanity rests on your shoulders. Work hard, okay?"

I hurried home, put on a hat, and got straight to work. Then, I posted an update on Twitter to let everyone know I’d quit.

"From today onwards, I’m Nicole the harvester. Also, Freya Wagner will be handling the future vaccine development, so be sure to follow her updates." I tagged Freya just to make my point.

Let’s see how the plagiarism queen handles it—bring it on!