CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: FATHER-IN-LAW FORCES HER TO DIVORCE

Victoria Sinclair’s heart skipped a beat.

From Eugene Vaughn’s reaction, it was clear he knew she was at the door and deliberately opened it for her.

How did he know?

Victoria guessed he probably hadn’t slept yet, heard noise outside, and checked the surveillance screen to see the living room.

Victoria was so nervous she didn’t know what to say. She raised the orange in her hand, asking in a soft tone, "Can I eat your fruit?"

Eugene said, "I brought it for you."

He didn’t buy it specifically for her?

Even if it was incidental, Victoria still felt warm inside, "Thank you."

Eugene didn’t respond, and simply looked at her quietly.

Victoria pressed her lips together, thought for a while with nothing else to say, and then added, "Goodnight."

She intended to head back to her room.

Eugene frowned slightly, "Is that all you wanted to ask?"

Victoria was taken aback, looking at him.

Perhaps it was the aftermath of last night’s embrace. In this silent deep night, she felt a bit shy.

Facing the man she liked, she was ultimately too timid and nervous, so she softly replied, "Mm-hmm."

Then she walked towards her room.

She closed the door and leaned against it with the orange in her hand, her heart still beating irregularly, her mind filled with his handsome face, magnetic voice, and warm embrace.

Victoria lowered her head, exhaling hot breaths, her cheeks flushed, her heart feeling empty, just a wall apart, yet she missed him so much tonight.

——

In the following days, Victoria Sinclair became even busier.

The government sent a research team to join her project, accelerating the progress and increasing her workload.

Busy with interviews, busy writing papers for publication, busy studying for her doctorate, busy working.

The chances to meet Eugene were dwindling.

But she had been living like this for the past two years and was already accustomed to it.

On weekends, Victoria didn’t rest and worked overtime in the lab.

A phone call from her father-in-law, Harold Vaughn, forced her to put aside her work and go to Splendor Estate.

Inside the villa, in a low-key luxurious study.

Victoria sat elegantly on the leisure sofa, Harold Vaughn sat across from her, leisurely making tea for her.

Victoria felt a bit nervous inside.

This was Harold Vaughn’s first time inviting her to meet alone.

After completing the intricate tea-making process, Harold placed a cup of tea in front of Victoria, "New Longjing tea, you should like it."

"Thank you." Victoria nodded politely, holding the teacup in both hands, sipping slowly.

Harold’s courteous treatment puzzled Victoria.

Harold took a sip of tea, his attitude gentle, "Your new drug research has made groundbreaking progress and was featured in the news. Quite impressive."

Victoria put down her teacup. Just based on this one sentence from Harold, she already guessed his intention.

Harold leaned back on the sofa, looking at Victoria with the dignity of a senior, "Previously, I was foolish. I didn’t expect your small pharmaceutical institute to conquer another rare disease in such a short time. This time your new drug is world-unique, remarkable!"

"Dad, speak your mind directly." Victoria didn’t have time for his nonsense.

"Last time, the contract Eugene discussed with you can be restarted. I won’t obstruct from behind anymore." Harold’s tone sounded like a pardon, or perhaps like charity.

Victoria did not beat around the bush and directly refused, "I’m sorry, Dad, I’m not interested in this collaboration for now."

Harold’s face suddenly darkened, sternly warning, "You should know your identity."

Victoria replied, "Of course, I am technically a pharmaceutical company owner, formally speaking, I’m also a pharmacological researcher, Victoria Sinclair."

Harold clenched his fist, his face turning livid, his voice cold and authoritative, correcting her, "Your identity is as my daughter-in-law Harold Vaughn, as Eugene’s wife. Your priority should be Vaughn’s interests. You hold such a large piece of meat, not sharing with your own people, but benefiting others?"

Victoria suppressed a stomach full of anger, reluctantly held back from speaking. Just because she got married, she lost her name and career, becoming someone else’s appendage, it’s ridiculous.

Harold’s dictatorial tone commanded, "You must immediately reject the government’s funding, dismiss the collaborating team. I’ll have Eugene quickly form a new research team to assist you, following the equity distribution discussed previously with Eugene, but Vaughn Group must have pricing and operational control."

Victoria slowly clenched her fists.

She had never seen such a shameless businessman, so bold in saying these words.

Finding no profit, he acted arrogantly, looked down on her, treated her dismissively, and trampled her career.

Now, oh please!

Victoria remained silent, Harold thought she had agreed, his attitude softened slightly, "You are indeed skilled in drug research, but you don’t understand business. I’ve had professionals evaluate it, your new medicine is unique worldwide. Even if a single dose costs tens of thousands, even millions, patients fighting for their lives will spare no expense to extend their lives. Based on global patient numbers, even if only ten percent can afford the drug, annual income would be at least tens of billions. Even more."

Harold poured more tea for her, instructing, "Daughter-in-law, you can’t treat business as charity. Joining with the government, your groundbreaking drug will end up priced low in the medical insurance system, becoming cheap common medicine, not making big money."

Victoria was exhausted from listening, feeling she had wasted enough time, her gentle voice exceptionally firm, "Dad, I truly don’t plan to cooperate with any private enterprises, I apologize, there’s no room for negotiation on this matter."

Harold’s authority was challenged, his face turned pale, veins bulging, standing up abruptly, and he angrily threw the purple clay teapot to the ground.

With a loud "bang," it shattered into pieces, tea spilled everywhere.

The sudden fury startled Victoria, making her shiver, she pulled back her legs and leaned on the sofa, anxiously watching him.

"Victoria Sinclair, you must agree to this matter," Harold’s furious eyes were like those of an enraged beast, roaring, "Otherwise, you are no longer my daughter-in-law Harold Vaughn’s, divorce my son immediately."

Victoria was indeed frightened, but it was merely her father-in-law’s daunting rage, not the threat of divorce.

She had long been fed up with this already-dead marriage.

Suddenly, the study door was pushed open.

Victoria nervously looked towards the door.

Eugene appeared, his face tense, eyes deeply dark, an indescribable cold aura enveloping him, steadily walking in.

Harold pointed at Eugene, commanding one word at a time, "You came just in time, if she Victoria Sinclair doesn’t agree, such a woman does not deserve to be part of The Vaughn Family, divorce her immediately."

Victoria’s fingertips trembled slightly, hastily picked up her bag standing up, "Fine, I agree."

Saying this, she turned and left.

As she brushed past, Eugene grabbed her arm, "What are you agreeing to?"

Victoria’s chest throbbed with pain, sourness surged into her heart, her breath was chaotic, she dared not look at him, speaking with grievance and sadness, "I will divorce, but I will never cooperate."

Eugene’s face was extremely dark, his voice extremely deep, "Victoria Sinclair, you may not cooperate, but you will never divorce."

For a moment, astonishment swept over Victoria’s heart, her wrist pounded painfully, quietly watching him.

Eugene released her arm, "Wait for me outside."

Victoria did not respond, hurriedly left the study, and closed the door.