Chapter 18
Marcus was a natural at socializing. With him handling the conversation, Sydney only had to focus on eating. Whenever he spotted a dish he knew she liked, he would quietly place some on her plate.
Take stuffed peppers, for example. Caleb refused anything with bell peppers, so that dish never appeared on the Hampton family table.
Sydney had always enjoyed them. She glanced at Marcus, her eyes curving into a slight smile. She said nothing, but he understood the silent thank you and gently tapped her head.
“Eat while it’s hot,” he said. “Our mentor told me to make sure you’re taken care of.”
At that moment, the door of the private dining room diagonally across the hall opened. A foreign man in his late forties stepped out first, flanked by sharply dressed subordinates.
He carried the polished air of a successful executive, clearly someone from a top publicly
listed company. He moved aside with a broad smile and spoke fluent, cheerful Storian. “Mr. Sterling, then it’s settled! I’ll bring the contract to your hotel personally tomorrow for
signing.”
A younger man followed, stepping out casually. His tone was cool, his tailored black shirt and trousers immaculate. He draped his coat loosely over one arm. His sharply defined features gave him a natural, commanding presence.
His assistant leaned in with a timely reminder. “Sir, the boss of Neptune Biotech is waiting for us at the hotel.”
The foreign man nodded tactfully. “Let me walk
you out.
Just then, a waiter pushed open the private room door to serve food. As the younger man passed, his gaze swept the room. Inside, the woman wearing a pale rose–pink knit top and jeans had her delicate waist and hips perfectly outlined. She laughed as the man beside her tapped her head playfully. She showed no resistance, appearing soft and obedient.
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Chapter 18
The assistant noticed his employer pause briefly and followed his gaze. His eyes lit up. Isn’t that Ms. Sydney? What’s she doing in Storia?”
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“Sir!
He then looked toward Marcus with a confused frown. “And who’s that guy? Don’t tell me she and Caleb actually divorced and she’s already moved on?”
The waiter came out and gently closed the door, cutting off their view.
The man shot his assistant a sharp look. “You think I read fortunes or tell the future now?”
Sydney did not usually struggle with jet lag, especially when sleeping in a new bed. She
woke before her alarm.
The opening ceremony was scheduled for 9:58 a.m., a clearly auspicious time carefully chosen by experts. Wherever they went, her country folk never strayed far from tradition.
The institute occupied a prime location. The attendees were all top experts in medicine. If
she had not been representing her mentor, someone as low–profile as Sydney would not
have passed the entrance.
Young, successful women in this field were rare.
When Sydney and Marcus entered, they naturally drew attention. Accomplished and beautiful, who wouldn’t steal a few extra glances?
Once people learned they were students of Dr. Alan Conton, they eagerly approached to chat, especially about the patent medicine they had developed. One pharmaceutical company even offered to buy the formula outright for a high price.
Marcus exchanged a glance with Sydney before politely declining. “Sorry. Our original intention was to help patients. The clinic still has many who depend on this medicine.”
This was not the first time. Many had offered high prices, and Sydney had been tempted. But selling to a pharmaceutical company meant losing control over pricing.
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Their patients often faced financial hardship. Sydney refused to become the last straw that
broke their backs.
After excusing herself for a bathroom break, Sydney was stopped by one of the pharmaceutical executives. He handed her his business card with a friendly smile. “If you ever feel like relocating, I’d be happy to welcome you.”
He had done his homework. This woman was not just a pretty face–she had real talent. Marcus‘ clinic would not have reached its success without her, not just Alan.
Sydney returned her usual polite smile. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
She said it out of courtesy, already turning to leave. But the moment she turned, her smile
froze. Her mind went blank.
For three
years, she had imagined running into Julian countless times–at the Sterling estate, Caleb’s social gatherings, or some random skyscraper in Jouleston. But he never
appeared. Not once. And now, he showed up exactly where she least expected: right here..
