Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 399

Tricia masked her discomfort with a nonchalant hum. “Heard you went back to The Capital to find your birth family. Didn’t expect you back so soon.”

Nearby, one of the lab assistants cast a wary glance their way. Rumors of a rivalry between these two women had been circulating for months—it looked like they were true.

Charlotte stopped right in front of Tricia, her expression cool and unreadable. “You seem to know a lot about my business. Must’ve put in quite a bit of effort digging around, huh?”

Tricia caught the edge in her tone, but just smiled with feigned innocence. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ms. Sterling.”

Charlotte turned to the assistant. “You can get back to work.”

Snapped out of her curiosity, the assistant nodded. “Of course.”

Once she’d left, Charlotte let her polite façade drop. “Whether you actually understand me or not doesn’t matter anymore. Sooner or later, the truth always catches up to you.”

Tricia’s smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly regained her composure, giving a soft laugh. “Are you here to threaten me?”

Charlotte stayed silent.

Tricia stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Charlotte could hear. “How unfortunate for you. Even if you’re the Rayburn family’s darling, you can’t touch me. We’ll see which of us comes out on top in the end.”

Charlotte clenched her fists, knowing full well Tricia was goading her. If she took the bait and started a scene under the security cameras, she’d only give Tricia ammunition to use against her.

Taking a slow breath, Charlotte forced herself to relax. As Tricia turned to leave, Charlotte called out with a faint smile, “Aren’t you even a little curious about your real parents?”

Tricia froze mid-step.

She looked back, trying to read Charlotte’s intentions, then sneered, “I’m an orphan. What parents? Even if they do exist, they abandoned me. Why should I care?”

Charlotte just smiled, saying nothing.

She watched Tricia walk away, the smile fading from her lips. Whether Tricia cared or not, that question would haunt her for a while.

Charlotte’s gaze drifted to the research report on her desk, and she fell into brooding silence.

…

When Tricia returned to her own office, her expression was stormy. She blamed Charlotte for ruining her chance to photograph the crucial research data.

But what was that last remark supposed to mean?

Her biological parents?

Tricia emerged from behind a corner, calling his name.

Heath stopped, turning to her. “Ms. Winthrop, can I help you?”

Her eyes flicked to the file in his hands. “That’s the nanomedicine report, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. I’m on my way to archive it.”

“I’m actually headed that way myself. Why don’t I take it for you?”

Heath hesitated. “I’m not sure…”

After a moment, Heath relented. “Alright, Ms. Winthrop. If you’re sure you don’t mind.”

Tricia took the folder from him with a bright smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”

Her smile vanished the moment Heath walked away. Staring down at the report, her expression grew colder and darker by the second.