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

    Nearby, one of theb assistants cast a wary nce their way. Rumors of a rivalry between these two women had been circting 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 fa?ade drop. “Whether you actually understand me or not doesn’t matter anymore. Sooner orter, the truth always catches up to you.”

    Tricia’s smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly regained herposure, giving a softugh. “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 uses 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 rx. 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.

    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 I care?”

    17:14

    Chapter b399 /b

    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 med Charlotte for ruining her chance to photograph the crucial research data.

    But what was thatst 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 foring 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 ced the report back on the desk. “Nothing important. I was just icurious/i.”

    After Heath left, Charlotte rummaged through her drawer for an old, discarded report from a previous failed trial. The numbers were simr to the current data, but the

    oues 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 dayster, Assistant Heath headed toward the database with the finalized research results in hand.

    b2/3 /b

    b17:14 /b

    Tricia emerged from behind a corner, calling his name.

    Heath stopped, turning to her. “Ms. Winthrop, can I 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 I take it for you?”

    Heath hesitated. “I’m not sure…”

    “Come on, Heath. We both work in the research center. Do you really think I’m going to take the data and run?” Tricia put on a weary, sincere smile. “Professor Aldridge is my mentor, after all. I just thought you could use a break, that’s all.”

    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. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”

    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 away. Staring down at the report, her expression grew colder and darker by the second.