Chapter 25
The study would be the only private space Valerie claimed in the villa.
The study’s security had to be airtight to protect the precious data from thousands of experiments. She quickly installed security cameras and placed talismans in hidden corners before setting up an anti-theft array.
The anti-theft array would automatically be activated if anyone but her tried to enter.
Once everything was set, Valerie pulled a laptop from her suitcase. The moment she powered it on, a news alert popped up.
“Guldner Group’s medical aesthetics team announces a revolutionary skincare product with miraculous effects, soon to hit the market.”
ght of the Guldner name, a cold glint flashed in Valerie’s eyes. She clicked into the and skimmed through its contents.
The report detailed how Guldner Group’s heavily funded research team had spent years studying cellular regeneration, finally claiming a breakthrough after years of effort. The product set to launch promised to make beauty-conscious users look ten to 20 years younger.
Within minutes of the announcement, the article went viral. Comments flooded the comment
section in under ten minutes.
At the current standard of medical aesthetics, no skincare products were able to delay aging, and this was usually done through injections or surgery. Guldner Group’s official announcement was undoubtedly a bombshell that sent the internet reeling.
lerie’s phone rang. After she picked up, Everett’s voice came through. “Val, are
Comments, she asked, “What’s up?”
“I brought supper. I’m outside your place right now, but you’re not answering the door.”
“Ran into some trouble, so I’m staying at a friend’s place for now.”
His voice immediately rang with concern. “Was it the Woodwards again? Whose place? Male or female? Can you trust them?
“I have three empty apartments in Windmere the one downtown, the one in the suburbs, and the beach house-”
“Did you check tonight’s top trending post?” she asked, cutting him off.
The car door slammed shut on his end. “Are you talking about Guldner Group’s? Watch… Their
stock is going to jump at least five points tomorrow. But why are you suddenly asking, Val?”
Valerie tapped a few keys before a catalog popped up on her screen, showing Guldner Group’s skincare and cosmetic lines.
Frowning, she murmured, “3,900 dollars for two fluid ounces of face cream and 12 thousand dollars for one fluid ounce of eye cream?”
“You sound skeptical of Guldner Group’s products,” he commented.
“I am,” she admitted without hesitation.
Although he couldn’t see her cold expression over the phone, Everett could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
He warned, “The Guldners are powerful in Windmere, along with the Fosters and the Lanes. The three families dominate the business world and have deep connections.
“They’re not people you can afford to cross, so don’t recklessly provoke them.”
He’d known Valerie for years, but his understanding of her barely scratched the surface. All he knew was that she had a background in traditional medicine, dabbled in some unconventional fields, and was surprisingly adept at hacking.
To keep her from provoking the wrong people, he felt that he should explain Windmere’s dynamics.
“Right now, the only family strong enough to stand against those three is the mysterious White family. You heard that right-the same White family you accidentally offended not long ago.”
