CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: HE’S MY HUSBAND

For a long time, Eugene Vaughn turned and walked to stand in front of Victoria Sinclair.

The distance was intimate, and the faint, refreshing scent of cedar on him drifted into Victoria’s nose, causing her heartbeat to suddenly quicken, stirring up ripples in her previously calm heart.

His voice was deep and husky, "Fifty million in investment, along with three GMP production lines, and a team of twenty researchers."

Such a large investment amount was like a heavy bomb, instantly stirring waves in Victoria Sinclair’s heart, leaving her stunned and her mind blank.

"I want 51% equity," Eugene’s voice sounded again, simple and decisive, allowing no doubt.

Suddenly, Victoria’s once bright eyes darkened immediately, her tone tinged with anger, "How is that different from a takeover?"

Eugene remained calm, his eyes showing confidence and determination, "The difference is that you can conduct your drug research with no worries."

Victoria clenched her fists tightly, a surge of anger rising in her chest, inwardly annoyed.

"Once you’ve thought it through, come to my company to sign the contract." Eugene left the words, turned, and continued walking into the room.

Victoria slumped onto the sofa, too tired to speak, closing her eyes and sinking into thought.

Her mind was like a carousel, constantly flashing with Eugene’s conditions and her years of struggles and persistence on the path of pharmaceutical research.

That night, Victoria tossed and turned.

She didn’t want to easily give up this investment that could change her company’s fate, yet the conditions Eugene proposed weighed heavily on her heart, like a mountain, placing her in a dilemma.

The next day, after finishing her work in the lab, she took a cab to Vaughn Group.

She had never visited Vaughn Group before and didn’t expect the journey to be this long; even without traffic, she sat in the taxi for a full hour and a half.

The Eugene she remembered rarely missed coming home to sleep, except when he was on business trips.

Spending three hours, perhaps even more, just going back and forth?

What kind of determination supported Eugene to persist for two years?

Three o’clock in the afternoon.

Victoria walked into the grand lobby of Vaughn Group.

The magnificent lobby was exceptionally impressive and majestic.

Victoria approached the reception desk and politely said, "Hello, my name is Victoria Sinclair. I’m here to see President Vaughn."

The receptionist asked politely, "Do you have an appointment?"

Victoria shook her head.

"I’m sorry, Miss Sinclair, you need an appointment."

Victoria took out her phone, "I’ll call him directly. If he agrees, does that count as an appointment?"

The receptionist smiled graciously, "Of course it does."

Just as Victoria was about to dial, there was the sound of urgent high heels, accompanied by a familiar woman’s voice, "Sister-in-law? What brings you here?"

Victoria looked in the direction of the voice.

Vivian Miller, heavily made-up, dressed in a fashionable tight dress, walked over from the lounge area.

The table in the lounge was messily covered with live streaming equipment and various makeup products.

Upon seeing Vivian’s fake smile, a damp and irritating ripple spread across the calm lake of Victoria’s heart.

Vivian warmly linked arms with Victoria, "Sister-in-law, are you looking for Eugene? No need for a phone appointment; I just finished streaming, I’ll take you up."

Victoria’s expression remained cool as she slowly withdrew her arm, not wanting any physical contact with her.

She didn’t refuse, following Vivian into the elevator straight to the twentieth floor.

"Eugene is inside, go straight in!" Vivian pointed at the door ahead.

Victoria glanced up at the sign on the door, inwardly feeling that Vivian was pretending to be ignorant while intentionally making things difficult for her.

"This is a conference room." Victoria couldn’t be bothered to expose her.

"Yes, he’s inside!" Vivian blinked, feigning ignorance.

Victoria sat down on a nearby chair, unwilling to play games with her, and said flatly, "I’ll wait here for his meeting to end."

Seeing that Victoria’s thoughts were clear and her little trick failed, Vivian stopped insisting, curiously asking, "Sister-in-law, why are you looking for Eugene?"

Victoria impatiently looked up at her, "He’s my husband, do I need a reason to come see him?"