After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25 More Than One Kind of Breakthrough

Zoe looked up from her phone, eyes going wide. “Wait–are you serious?”

31

Finished

Iris couldn’t hide her grin. “We’ve officially cleared the preclinical review. We’re ready to move into human trials. It’s huge.”

Zoe leapt from her desk, threw her arms around Iris, and spun her in a circle like a giddy kid. “This is insane! Iris, I swear–you’re unstoppable. Every time I think we’ve hit bottom, you claw us right back up. If we keep this up, we might actually land government funding and go national.”

Iris laughed, breathless, trying to stop the twirl. “Dreaming big is good, Zoe. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”

Zoe suddenly snapped her fingers, eyes narrowing. “Wait, hold up–have you seen Emily’s latest video?”

Iris frowned. “You’re watching short videos at work?”

“That’s not the point.” Zoe huffed. “She’s been posting about you. Every single day. For almost two weeks straight. It’s basically a series called ‘The Evil Sister–in–Law Who Wants to Ruin My Marriage. All your personal business, twisted into clickbait.”

Iris blinked, leaning in toward Zoe’s screen. “She didn’t use my name or picture,” Zoe continued, “but c’mon–every story is obviously about you. And the stuff she says? Total fiction. Not even close to who you are.”

“How many followers?” Iris asked calmly.

“Just over twenty thousand. It’s a new account, but she’s growing fast.”

“Let her have it,” Iris said, unbothered. “If she’s finally found a way to be useful, I’m not going to stop her. Monetizing drama is better than lying around all day.”

Zoe stared. “You’re seriously okay with this? She’s slandering you for clicks.”

Iris tucked her research files under her arm, still smiling. “I don’t watch those videos. And honestly, the truth doesn’t need defending. Smart people don’t believe that kind of noise.”

Just then, Iris’s phone rang from her coat pocket. She glanced down and saw the name:

Beatrice.

Her face softened instantly. “Hi, Grandma.”

Beatrice’s voice was brisk but kind. “Sweetheart, where are you? You’re not here yet.”

1/2

12:33 Tue, May 5 …

ร

(31

Finished

Chapter 25 More Than One Kind of Breakthrough

A jolt ran through Iris’s chest. She’d completely forgotten. Her father–in–law’s 60th birthday gala. The biggest family event of the year.

“Grandma, I’m so sorry–I’m on my way now.”

She slipped out of her lab coat, snatched her bag, and practically sprinted out of the lab.

Zoe called after her but was ignored.

Night fell.

The Everhart estate glowed under a canopy of lights. Luxury cars lined the curved driveway. Inside, the mansion buzzed with guests in black–tie attire.

Iris arrived in a cab, no makeup, still flushed from running.

Beatrice was waiting at the side entrance in a deep violet dress, elegant as ever.

“Grandma…” Iris looked guilty. “I was working–I completely lost track of time.”

Beatrice waved it off. “I figured. That’s why I called early. You’re just in time, sweetheart. Come

with me.”

She led Iris inside, straight to her private suite. A professional stylist was already waiting.

“Grandma, what’s going on?” Iris asked, confused.

“We’re getting you ready,” Beatrice said with a gleam in her eye. “Frederick insists on this fancy formal dinner, so everyone’s dressed to the nines. As the eldest daughter–in–law, you can’t show up looking like a lab rat.”

Iris blushed but obeyed.

As the makeup artist began her work, Beatrice sat nearby, watching with obvious pride.

“She has such perfect skin,” the stylist marveled. “It’s dewy and bright–no patchiness at all. What’s your routine?”

Iris replied softly, “I don’t use much. Just basic moisturizer, maybe vitamin E lotion in the winter.”

She’d never been one for makeup. She wasn’t even sure she owned foundation.

After her civil marriage with Julian, their wedding was called off. She’d never had a reason to dress up.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify