NovelBookTricia 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 | 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 facade drop. “Whether you actually understandor 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?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTricia froze mid-step.
She looked back, trying to read Charlotte's intentions, then sneered, “I'm an orphan. What parents? Even if they
do exist, they abandoned me. Why should | care?”
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17:14
Chapter 399
Charlotte just smiled, saying nothing.
She watched Tricia walk away, the smile fading from her lips. Whether Tricia cared or not, that question would
haunt her for a while.
Charlotte's gaze drifted to the research report on her desk, and she fell into brooding
silence.
When Tricia returned to her own office, her expression was stormy. She blamed Charlotte for ruining her chance
to photograph the crucial research data.
But what was that last remark supposed to mean?
Her biological parents?
Could Charlotte know something?
Tricia bit her lip. She’d never even met her so-called parents-what did they matter? She’d be damned if she let
Charlotte lead her by the nose.
Meanwhile, Charlotte sat at her desk, reviewing data when Old Mr. Carstairs‘ assistant walked over. “Ms.
Sterling? You wanted to see me?”
“Did Tricia from Group B give any reason for coming over earlier?”
Assistant Heath hesitated. “She said Professor Aldridge sent her to check the
research results.”
Charlotte's brow furrowed. Professor Aldridge would never need an update on the nanomedicine results-he’d
know them already. Something was definitely off.
“Is there a problem?” Heath asked, picking up on her unease.
Charlotte placed the report back on the desk. “Nothing important. | was just curious.”
After Heath left, Charlotte rummaged through her drawer for an old, discarded report from a previous failed trial.
The numbers were similar to the current data, but the
outcomes couldn't have been more different.
Even 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 couldn't possibly recall all the details.
Two days later, Assistant Heath headed toward the database with the finalized research results in hand.
2/3
17:14
Chapter 399
Tricia emerged from behind a corner, calling his name.
Heath stopped, turning to her. “Ms. Winthrop, can | help you?”
Her eyes flicked to the file in his hands. “That's the nanomedicine report, isn't it?”
“That's right. I'm on my way to archive it.”
“I'm actually headed that way myself. Why don’t | take it for you?”
Heath hesitated. “I'm not sure...”
“Con, Heath. We both work in
the research center. Do you really
think I'm going to take(the data hh
rn TSA bt Gn a weary, sincere
smile. “Professor Aldridge is my
mentor, after all. | just thought you
could use a break, that's all.” The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
After a moment, Heath relented. “Alright, Ms. Winthrop. If you're sure you don’t mind.”
Tricia took the folder from him with a
bright smile. ‘Donityatty. (Wyott
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opveredd Thelcontent is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Her smile vanished the moment Heath walked away. Staring down at th
Tricia took the folder from him with a bright smile. “Don’t worry. I've got it covered.”
Her smile vanished the moment
Heath walked sie dowh\at
te repact exept ssion grew
colder and darker by the second. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
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