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One pharmaceutical rep came right out and said they wanted to
buy the formula at a high price.
Lottie and Alan exchanged a look before he politely declined.
“Thank you, but our original intent was to help people. Our
clinic still has many patients who rely on this medication.”
It wasn’t the first time they’d been approached.
The offers were often tempting–very tempting.
But once they sold the rights to a pharma company, they’d lose
control over pricing.
Many of their patients were already scraping together every
last cent just to afford treatment. Lottie refused to be the final
straw that broke them.
Later, she stepped away to use the restroom. On her way back,
the pharma rep stopped her again.
He handed her a business card with a warm smile. “If you ever
feel like switching tracks, my company would be happy to have
you.“‘
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He’d done his homework.
This woman was far from ordinary–brilliant, driven, and likely
a big reason why Alan’s clinic had gained such a sterling
reputation. Beyond their famous mentor, her contributions.
were clearly not to be underestimated.
Lottie responded with her usual gentle smile. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She offered a few polite words and turned to leave–only to stop cold in her tracks.
The smile froze on her lips.
For a moment, her mind went completely blank.
In the past three years, she had imagined running into Lewis more times than she could count–at the Pollard family estate, at one of Nigel’s parties, or even in some random building in Asrark.
But it never happened. Not once.
And now, out of nowhere, here he was–standing in front of her at the most unexpected time, in the most unexpected place.
Several years had passed–and Lewis had changed a great deal.
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His features were sharper now, more angular and severe. He
stood tall with an upright posture, dressed in a flawlessly
tailored black suit. A string of bracelet rested loosely on his
wrist, adding a subtle, polished detail to his otherwise cold and distant demeanor. He carried the kind of quiet intimidation that came from years of power.
The air around him was commanding.
He was no longer the man she used to chase after.
Whatever they once were–it no longer existed.
A small crowd surrounded him, but unlike Nigel’s smooth, polished charm, Lewis didn’t bother to play nice. Whether people were trying to flatter or impress him, he barely offered a polite nod. He didn’t speak unless absolutely necessary. His dark eyes drifted over to Lottie for the briefest moment–then moved on, as if she were no more than a stranger.
“Lottie.“”
Just then, Alan appeared beside her, breaking her tension. “Come on, they’re ready to start the ribbon–cutting.”
“Okay.”
Lottie quickly composed herself, ignoring the weight of that
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glance as best she could.
She wasn’t the one who owed anything.
So what was there to be afraid of?
The ceremony was held at the institute’s main entrance. By the time they stepped outside, everything was already set–guests just needed to take their places.
Representing Archie, Lottie and Alan were given spots right. near the center of the lineup.
The cold breeze brushed against her face, helping her regain some calm. She accepted the ceremonial scissors from a staff member and tuned in to the emcee’s voice.
All she had to do was make one cut–then she could walk away.
“I can’t believe you made time to come,” the institute director said enthusiastically, guiding Lewis toward the center. “If I’d known, I would’ve picked you up at the airport myself. We haven’t done nearly enough to welcome you.”
Ever since Lewis took over the family business, he’d aggressively expanded into healthcare–owning not just luxury private hospitals, but some of the most prestigious research labs around the world. Everyone in the industry was eager to get
