Cold husband burning regret

Tricia masked her discomfort with a nonchalant hum. “Heard you went back to The Capital to find your birth family. Didn’t expect you back so soon.”

Nearby, one of the lab assistants cast a wary glance their way. Rumors of a rivalry between these two women had been circulating for months–it looked like they were

true.

Charlotte stopped right in front of Tricia, her expression cool and unreadable. “You seem to know a lot about my business. Must’ve put in quite a bit of effort digging around, huh?”

Tricia caught the edge in her tone, but just smiled with feigned innocence. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ms. Sterling.”

Charlotte turned to the assistant. “You can get back to work.”

Snapped out of her curiosity, the assistant nodded. “Of course.”

Once she’d left, Charlotte let her polite façade drop. “Whether you actually understand me or not doesn’t matter anymore. Sooner or later, the truth always catches up to you.”

Tricia’s smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly regained her composure, giving a soft laugh. “Are you here to threaten me?”

Charlotte stayed silent.

Tricia stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Charlotte could hear. “How unfortunate for you. Even if you’re the Rayburn family’s darling, you can’t touch me. We’ll see which of us comes out on top in the end.”

Charlotte clenched her fists, knowing full well Tricia was goading her. If she took the bait and started a scene under the security cameras, she’d only give Tricia ammunition to use against her.

Taking a slow breath, Charlotte forced herself to relax. As Tricia turned to leave, Charlotte called out with a faint smile, “Aren’t you even a little curious about your real parents?”

Tricia froze mid–step.

then sneered, “I’m an orphan. What parents? Even if they do exist, they

1/3

17:14

Chapter 399

smiled,

lips. Whether Tricia cared or not, that question would

research report on her desk,

silence.

returned to her own office, her expression was stormy. She blamed Charlotte for ruining her chance to photograph the crucial research

last remark supposed to

Her biological parents?

Could Charlotte know something?

her so–called parents–what did they matter? She’d be damned if she let Charlotte lead her

Mr. Carstairs‘ assistant walked over. “Ms. Sterling? You

give any reason for

Heath hesitated. “She said Professor Aldridge sent her to check

research results.”

need an update on the nanomedicine

a problem?” Heath asked, picking up on her

report back on the desk. “Nothing

Charlotte rummaged through her drawer for an old, discarded report from a previous failed trial. The numbers were similar to

couldn’t have been more

if Tricia had seen the report, Charlotte had interrupted her before she could do anything more. No matter how sharp Tricia’s memory was, she

later, Assistant Heath headed toward the database with the finalized