After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14 She’s Not Backing Down

Jenny went quiet, face flushed. She looked down and didn’t say another word.

Iris blinked, stunned. She hadn’t expected Beatrice to come out swinging like this.

Finished

Lily tried to cut in, all soft voice and faux concern. “Beatrice, please don’t be upset. Frederick didn’t mean any harm. You need to take care of yourself.”

Beatrice shot her a sharp glance, unimpressed.

“You’re all well–educated people. How is your thinking so narrow? Designer handbags are just bags. The price tag? That’s branding, not value. Buying overpriced nonsense doesn’t make you special.”

Vivian and Gloria’s expressions soured instantly, but neither dared to speak.

Beatrice turned to her sons. “And you two. You spend thousands on limited–edition wine like it’s holy water. You think that’s going to buy you enlightenment? Or immortality? If you’ve got that kind of cash lying around, maybe fund Iris‘ research. You might need her drug someday.”

The room went still.

Julian leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He looked entirely unbothered–and slightly entertained.

Beatrice hadn’t said a word about Lily, but every sentence landed like a slap.

Lily’s smile wavered. She’d meant to use this lunch to shine, to show everyone how connected and capable she was. Instead, she’d made things worse–for herself and her family.

The awkward tension was broken when May walked in. “Lunch is ready.”

Beatrice nodded, standing up and taking Iris by the hand. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s eat.”

Iris helped her toward the dining room.

The rest of the family got up in silence and followed. The mood was heavy. No one really felt like talking.

At the table, Beatrice asked Iris questions about her latest projects–funding, timelines, clinical trials.

Iris answered patiently, even when the topics got deeply technical. She wasn’t used to anyone actually caring about her work.

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12:27 Tue, May 5

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Chapter 14 She’s Not Backing Down

But Beatrice did. And she understood it.

32

Finished

Everyone else at the table was lost, unable to follow. Lily couldn’t find a single moment to jump in.

When they got to the part about needing human volunteers and paying them for early–stage trials, Iris hesitated.

Beatrice caught the pause and turned to Julian.

“Your company’s in medical tech, isn’t it? Why haven’t you invested in her research?”

Iris froze.

Julian paused mid–bite. His eyes flicked to Iris. He set his fork down, calmly wiped his mouth, and said, “Do you want me to invest?”

The question caught her off guard. Her heart thumped in her chest.

Their relationship was already complicated enough. Adding business to the mix felt like walking into a minefield.

But she needed funding desperately. This wasn’t about romance. It was about survival.

After a brief silence, Iris looked up and said quietly, “Yes.”

Julian nodded. “Send me a detailed proposal. I’ll need your company’s credentials and financials.”

Beatrice frowned. “You’re her husband. Do you really need all that paperwork?”

Julian shot her a calm look, completely unfazed. “It’s business. If I’m putting company money on the line, I’ve got people to answer to. No shortcuts.”

Beatrice waved a hand. “Fine. You two can sort it out later. Let’s just eat.”

Iris nodded and lowered her gaze. The tension in her chest loosened slightly. She might actually have a chance to keep the lab afloat.

She smiled faintly and glanced at Beatrice with quiet gratitude.

Then, out of nowhere, Lily leaned forward and nudged the serving dish toward Julian.

“Julian, it’s your favorite. May really nailed it today. You’ve got to try some.”

Iris’s smile faltered. Her gaze dropped to the plate, then flicked to Lily’s bright, eager

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