Brother 'Borrowed' My Research Files - They Were Worth $4.2M In Patent Protection

Brother 'Borrowed' My Research Files - They Were Worth $4.2M In Patent Protection monitor displaying protein folding sequences that had consumed the last eighteen months of my life. The algorithm was finally working—predictive accuracy had jumped to 94.7% in the latest test run. My hands trembled slightly as I saved the data to the secure server, then made three backup copies on the encrypted drives in my desk drawer."Still playing with your little science project?"I looked up to find my brother Marcus leaning against my home office doorframe, that familiar smirk plastered across his face. He'd let himself in using the spare key I'd given him for emergencies three years ago and apparently never returned."It's not a game, Marcus. This is my work." I minimized the windows on my screen reflexively. Years of dismissal from my family had trained me to protect what mattered."Right, right. Your 'groundbreaking research.'" He made exaggerated air quotes. "Mom told me you're still doing your biology thing in the spare bedroom. When are you going to get a real job?"