Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 257

The foundation director stood frozen for a solid two seconds before accepting the invitation Wren extended to him.

His gaze flicked back and forth between the crisp card and Wren's face, his smile taking on a much more cautious edge than before.

"A patient data ethics review?"

"Yes," Wren replied evenly. "No public promotions, no media releases. We are only inviting clinical experts, ethics board members, charity fund representatives, and actual patient advocates to review the procedural frameworks together."

The man instinctively shot a glance at Lawrence.

The relaxed smile on Lawrence's face had visibly thinned.

Wren didn't bother following his gaze. She simply added, "Tonight, Langford Medical is focusing on family rehabilitation and companionship. Stellaris, on the other hand, is discussing the boundaries of patient data. The two issues overlap, yet remain distinctly different. If you'd like to listen in, we would love to have you."

It was beautifully polite.

And mercilessly sharp.

She wasn't tearing down Langford Medical on their own turf, but she was forcing the doors wide open for Stellaris right in front of them.

The man, being a seasoned veteran of corporate circles, quickly masked his shock with a smooth smile and tucked the invitation away. "You're as diligent as ever, Ms. Whitaker. I'll have my assistant check my schedule."

Ms. Whitaker.

Not Mrs. Langford.

Wren gave a polite nod. "Thank you."

Lawrence stood rigidly beside her, saying absolutely nothing.

Yet the hand resting lightly against the small of her back remained firmly in place.

To outsiders, it looked intimate.

To Wren, it was a warning.

A warning meant to remind her exactly whose territory she was standing on, and exactly who was standing next to her.

Without breaking her poise, she took a subtle half-step to the side.

Lawrence's hand fell away into empty space.

He lowered his gaze to look at her.

Wren seamlessly raised her hand and picked a glass of sparkling water off a passing waiter's tray.

Her movements were so natural it looked as though nothing had happened.

They were only looking at the vacant spot next to Lawrence.

It didn't matter who occupied it.

As long as the woman was quiet enough, pretty enough, and compliant enough, they would just praise Mr. Langford for his good fortune.

"Mrs. Langford."

Another guest approached with a drink in hand.

It was Director Charles Clarke from the medical association.

Wren had specifically circled his name on the guest list. If she could get him to attend Stellaris's review next week, the ethics board would stop dismissing her team as just a bunch of technical engineers.

She set down her sparkling water and extended a polite hand. "Director Clarke. It's an honor."

Charles offered a warm, grandfatherly smile. "It's been quite a while. The last time I saw you was at Margaret's birthday banquet. You were running around managing every single detail. I even told Mr. Langford back then—a man should marry a virtuous wife."

The surrounding guests chuckled approvingly at the comment.

Lawrence looked at Wren.

He likely expected her to offer a modest, self-deprecating reply, graciously accepting the compliment about her "virtue" just like she always did.