Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World



April 1st, 1893.

Five days had passed since Poul and Sara's visit to Pennsylvania Hospital, where they administered Sara's experimental penicillin to a young boy named Andrew suffering from pneumonia.

Sara meticulously monitored Andrew's condition, providing periodic updates to Poul on the progress. Poul's anticipation was palpable, recognizing the high stakes involved in this groundbreaking medical endeavor. The outcome could potentially have a profound impact on the field of medicine, not to mention the substantial financial gains he envisioned.

April 3rd, 1893.

Sara donned her doctor's attire and entered Andrew's room, her eyes widened when she saw Andrew walking around the room. His grateful parents flickered their gazes at Sara and smiled. 

"Doctor…look! Our boy is making a miraculous recovery!" Mr. Cooper exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes as he watched his son move about with newfound strength.

Sara's heart swelled with joy at the sight of Andrew's improvement. She approached the boy, her eyes full of wonder, and gently examined him. Andrew's once pale face now bore a healthy flush, and his breathing appeared significantly easier.

"It's truly remarkable," Sara murmured. "It seems that the penicillin is working far better than we could have hoped."

"Unbelievable, I thought it was all lost when the doctor who examined him told us that his disease was incurable…but…" Mrs. Cooper trailed off as she tried to find the right words to express herself. 

"But now, thanks to your miracle medicine, our son has a second chance at life," Mrs. Cooper finished her sentence with a profound sense of gratitude.

Sara smiled warmly at the Coopers, her heart touched by their relief. "I'm just glad that we could be part of this miracle. I can't wait to tell my colleagues who helped me develop it. In the meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, we still have to observe Andrew closely and make sure his recovery continues smoothly."

"Of course…" Mr. Cooper nodded his head. 

"I'll do some short check-up and then leave, okay?" 

"Absolutely," Mrs. Cooper replied.

Sara conducted a thorough check-up, making notes of Andrew's vital signs and overall condition. The results were encouraging, and it was evident that the penicillin had effectively fought off the infection. 

After completing her examination, Sara turned to the Coopers with a warm smile. 

"Everything looks excellent. I will take my leave for now, okay?" 

With that, Sara exited the room and leaned her back on a wall. She placed both hands on her face and squealed with delight. Her excitement was barely containable. 

One of her colleagues who helped her develop penicillin approached her. 

"Doctor Olsen, what's the matter?" 

Sara turned to face her friend, her lips curving into a wide smile. "Ruby...!"

Ruby, equally curious and somewhat puzzled, responded with a raised eyebrow, "What?" 

"The penicillin worked!" Sara revealed. 

"Really?!" Ruby's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed Sara's jubilant proclamation. "Yay!" 

Sara and Ruby held hands together and jumped with joy, their voices filling the hospital corridor with unbridled elation. They were like two children who had just discovered hidden treasures. 

The hospital staff nearby couldn't help but smile at the infectious joy radiating from Sara and Ruby. 

"We have to tell everyone," Ruby suggested.

"That's a great idea. Let's have a celebration later…First, I need to inform Poul about this." 

"Okay, I'll gather everyone," Ruby nodded, her enthusiasm undiminished.

Sara quickly made her way to the main office while humming in a singsong tone, her heart still dancing with the euphoria of their success. She knew that informing Poul of the miraculous recovery of Andrew was a moment that couldn't wait.

She took the tram that was filled with factory workers who noticed her elation. 

"Looking good today, Doctor Olsen," said the worker. 

"Marcus!" Sara exclaimed softly as she recognized the man. He was one of the factories that got injured in the line of work and was treated by her. "I didn't expect to see you here." 

The rest of the workers tipped their safety hats and acknowledged her presence with nods and smiles. Sara's reputation had extended beyond the hospital, making her popular with the workers.

"You are all going to work?" Sara asked. 

"Yes ma'am," they replied in unison.

"I see... In that case, y'all take care now. Wouldn't wanna see any of you in the hospital, lyin' on a cot," Sara said with such charm that it made the hearts of the workers on the tram skip a beat.

"I wouldn't mind gettin' injured all day, long as I'd be takin' care of ya," one of the workers said but was immediately slapped by Marcus.

"Oi, watch what you're talkin' 'bout, Ms. Olsen is already engaged," Marcus chided.

Sara giggled. "It's fine, Marcus…Oh, my stop is coming up. Goodbye," Sara said as she prepared to exit the tram. The workers waved her goodbye, their spirits lifted by her presence.

Once off the tram, Sara continued on her way to the main office, and to the reception desk.

"Is Mr. Nielsen in his office?" 

"Yes, Ms. Olsen," Beatrice confirmed. "Should I inform him that you'll be coming up?" 

Sara shook her head. "No need, I'll just surprise him."

After saying that, Sara headed straight to the elevator and pulled the lever to the top floor. 

The elevator door opened and Sara stepped out onto the top floor. 

Sara reached the main office where Poul was hunched over his desk, engrossed in paperwork.

"Poul~!" Sara cooed as she slowly approached him, her hands behind her back and cutely smiling. Poul looked up, his brow furrowed in concentration until his eyes met Sara's playful expression. He blinked in surprise and then grinned as he recognized the mischievous look in her eyes.

"Sara…you looked lively huh? Let me guess, the penicillin worked?" 

Sara's cute smile turned into a pout. "Ahh, there goes the surprise…" 

Poul chuckled and rose from his chair, walking over to Sara. He gently took her hands from behind her back and held them in his. 

"Sorry if I spoiled the surprise, my dear," Poul said. "So, the cure worked. This has a huge implication! We can now announce to the world that we now hold the cure for bacterial infection." 

"So you'll include the penicillin in the World's Fair right?" Sara asked.

"Yup, it has earned its spot. Oh, Jonathan called and told me that he and Caroline will arrive here tomorrow. I told them about what we were working and Caroline was the eager one. She is proposing a partnership if we decide to start a pharmaceutical company, which we will do, and penicillin will be its flagship product."

"I'm happy to hear that," Sara said. 

"Do you really?" Poul asked, sensing Sara's hesitancy.

"Of course, I'm thrilled about the partnership and the potential to make a real impact on healthcare. It's just that you know…the medicine is groundbreaking and you make it expensive…" 

"What? I wouldn't do that," Poul replied, a hint of hurt in his voice at the suggestion. "If you want to feel assured then I can make you the director of the future pharmaceutical enterprise. It's your invention after all."

"No need, I'm not good at business…and if you say you won't do what pharmaceutical corporations did in our world…then it's fine. I'm excited to see the two back again. It's been months." 

"Yeah…it is. The World's Fair is only 22 days away, I couldn't be more excited."