Outside the MDH Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Liam Winston's face darkened with fury.
His knuckles turned white from clenching his fists too tightly.
"She knows so many men."
The humiliation of being expelled from the institute still burned in his chest.
Liam couldn't believe Sophia Sullivan possessed such connections.
His jaw tightened as dark emotions swirled in his eyes.
Just how many secrets was Sophia still hiding?
Chloe Evans stood beside him, the corners of her lips curling into an almost imperceptible smirk.
The failed attempt to obtain the medicine had gone exactly as she'd hoped.
She spoke softly, her voice laced with carefully measured concern.
"It's no surprise sister could enter the institute. She's always been cunning, hiding everything so perfectly all these years."
Her innocent gaze lifted to meet Liam's.
"But I don't understand—if she's so capable, why did she approach you in the first place?"
Liam's brows furrowed deeply.
Chloe continued in her gentle murmur.
"Seeing how she refused to help today, it seems she never truly cared for you."
Liam whirled to face her.
"Are you suggesting she had ulterior motives?"
Before she could respond, his phone rang urgently.
"Mother" flashed across the screen.
Liam took a steadying breath before answering.
Mrs. Winston's shrill voice pierced through the receiver.
"Did you get the medicine?"
His Adam's apple bobbed as he forced out the words.
"No."
"Useless!"
The sound of shattering porcelain came through the phone.
Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch.
"What good are you? Do you want me to suffer until I die so you can claim that bitch as your mother?"
Liam's grip on the phone turned bone-white.
He knew his mother became irrational during her neuropathic headaches.
He swallowed his anger.
When Mrs. Winston finally exhausted herself, her voice suddenly weakened.
"Never mind my illness."
Her tone shifted abruptly.
"The company matters more. Chloe, when will your dowry be ready? The sooner it's invested, the more security you'll both have."
Recent events had gone poorly.
Her illness persisted, and her brother kept demanding money.
Years of funneling funds to her family had led her husband to freeze her accounts.
Now she survived by selling jewelry.
The losses pained her deeply, forcing her to seek money elsewhere.
A flicker of mockery passed through Chloe's eyes.
But her voice remained honey-sweet.
"My parents said they'll release the funds after I become General Manager for training."
She paused, affecting innocence.
"They're worried about losses and don't want to disappoint you."
Mrs. Winston's breath hitched.
"General Manager? Chloe Evans, are you dreaming?"
That position wasn't some trivial appointment.
She understood Chloe's implied threat perfectly.
"Mother, I only want what's best for your health."
Chloe's voice softened further.
"Only as General Manager can I truly help relieve Liam's burdens."
Her tone grew firm.
"I would never laze around at home like Sister Sophia did!"
Mrs. Winston trembled with rage.
If Chloe possessed even a fraction of Sophia's decency, things wouldn't have come to this!
"Don't even think about it! Once you marry into the Winston family, that dowry belongs to us!"
Her voice turned shrill.
"Bring back the 8 million immediately! How disgraceful to flaunt yourself like this!"
Chloe had anticipated this.
Her eyes welled with tears that spilled over instantly.
She looked at Liam with wounded innocence.
"Liam, I only wanted to help you..."
Liam's expression darkened.
He'd known of his mother's schemes, but never expected such blatant greed.
His voice turned icy.
"Mother, you've gone too far."
"Too far? Liam Winston, have you grown too bold? I forbid it!"
Chloe pretended to intervene tearfully.
"Don't fight with your mother, she only wants what's best..."
Liam's pent-up fury finally erupted.
His face remained impassive, but his tone brooked no argument.
"I run the company now. Chloe will be General Manager—see if I don't make it happen."
Mrs. Winston choked on her outrage.
"You—"
The call ended abruptly.
Liam's chest heaved as he rubbed his temples in frustration.
Nothing had gone right since his divorce and remarriage.
Chloe wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his back.
Her voice flowed like warm honey.
"Mother will understand eventually. Family quarrels never last."
Liam sighed, stroking her hair.
"You're too understanding."
His frown deepened.
"But we must treat Mother's condition. If the institute won't help, our only hope is The Nexus."
He prayed the system would launch soon.
Chloe nuzzled against him coyly.
"If only Sister would help."
She looked up with wide, guileless eyes.
"She could watch you suffer without lifting a finger—why did she stay with you all those years?"
Liam stiffened.
Chloe's tone took on a meaningful lilt.
"Her love seems so selfish. I'd give everything for you."
Liam's heart sank.
Memories of his three-year marriage flashed through his mind.
He'd been cold to Sophia.
Yet Sophia had concealed her identity, biding her time beside him.
What had she truly wanted?