The more Sydney tried to defend herself, the guiltier she would appear in other people’s eyes. She had already reviewed the résumés of the two men on her way here and felt certain she could silence them with
results.
She didn’t rush into conversation but walked over to the herb cabinet and began inspecting the contents
one by one.
Marcus asked, “Do we really need that many types of herbs?”
“No,” Sydney replied. “At the clinic, our herbs were vetted by our mentor from the beginning. The suppliers have followed that standard ever since, so we don’t need to double–check the quality. But for Sterling Corp., we have to check everything ourselves.”
Color, texture, age–even whether something was wild–harvested or cultivated–could affect a formula’s efficacy. In that sense, her specialized herbal medicine was far more difficult to develop than conventional drugs.
Marcus looked sheepish. “It’s been years, and I still haven’t made that a habit.”
“Well, that’s normal. You’re the boss,” Sydney said lightly. “There’s always someone else handling the details for you.”
Marcus laughed as he looked at her. “Then I’m counting on you to keep an eye on the clinic for me.”
“Don’t worry.” As she spoke, she picked up an herb and brought it to her nose for a careful sniff.
The two men sitting in the corner watched with undisguised contempt. Seeing her doing what they considered grunt work only fueled their disdain. Bored, they slouched in their chairs and started playing games on their phones.
Sydney ignored them. Her attention stayed locked on her work. Once she finished inspecting the herbs, she and Marcus sat down to discuss the development plan.
When she shifted into work mode, her eyes sparked with intensity. For a moment, Marcus found himself so struck by her brilliance that he could barely follow her train of thought.
Dusk had already settled by the time someone knocked on the lab door, pulling her out of her zone.
Charlotte Lindstrom stood at the entrance, poised and elegant in a silk blouse and fitted skirt, her smile polished and warm. “To celebrate the official kickoff of the project team, Mr. Sterling has booked a private
room at Moonshine Pavilion for dinner.”
The project manager blinked in surprise, then quickly responded. “Of course, Charlotte, please thank Mr. Sterling for us.”
Charlotte smiled, “He’ll be attending in person. You can thank him yourself.”
“No way!” someone exclaimed.
Out of all the projects under Sterling Corp., only a few ever received Julian’s direct involvement. For him to show up at a team dinner? That was unheard of.
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Chapter 74
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Charlotte only smiled, cryptic as ever. “Guess.”
Then she walked straight over to Sydney, extended her hand, and said with a smile, “Hi, Ms. Wilson. I’m Charlotte Lindstrom, Mr. Julian Sterling’s secretary.”
Sydney froze for a beat. She hadn’t expected Charlotte to approach her so directly. Still, she quickly composed herself and shook the offered hand. “Ms. Lindstrom, I’m sure we’ll be relying on you quite a bit while we’re here at Sterling Corp.”
“Happy to help,” Charlotte replied smoothly. “Shall we add each other on WhatsApp?”
“Sure.”
Sydney couldn’t quite tell what the woman was aiming for, but exchanging contacts would definitely come in handy. “I’ll scan yours?”
After Charlotte left, the two men who had mocked Sydney earlier suddenly looked at her with something closer to respect—or wariness.
They had assumed she had only minor connections. But how? If even Charlotte treated her with that kind of deference, who exactly was backing her?
Sydney didn’t care what they were thinking. Before heading to the restaurant, she and Marcus finalized a few potential prescriptions.
Once at the restaurant, Sydney stopped by the restroom before joining the others.
When she pushed open the door to the private room, she froze. Earlier, when Charlotte hinted Julian might show up, most had assumed she was joking.
A man like him, drowning in responsibilities, couldn’t possibly make time for something as trivial as a project team dinner.
Yet there he was, with sharp, striking features and a cold, commanding presence that made the air feel heavier even as he sat there casually.
Hearing the door, Julian looked up. His eyes narrowed slightly as they landed on her. His voice came low and lazy. “Team Lead Wilson, why are you frozen at the door? Are you afraid of me?”
