The Wife He Forgot to Marry novel Chapter 109

Willow’s expression soured. "So you’re not even going to bother pretending anymore? You think just because my son won’t leave you, you can behave however you want."

Winona said nothing, continuing to eat as if the woman were invisible. Willow fought the urge to slap her.

When Yulen came downstairs in a fresh change of clothes, he saw his mother’s furious face and tried to mediate. "Mom, you promised me you wouldn't lose your temper with Winona."

Willow scoffed. "As if I'd dare."

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Yulen decided it was best to leave, taking Winona with him from the Locke Villa.

In the car, however, Yulen couldn't hold back. "I wish you would try to get along with my mom and sisters. You both need to meet each other halfway."

A bitter laugh escaped Winona. "Haven't I been the only one compromising? Besides, Theron started it today. I wouldn't have laid a hand on him otherwise."

Fearing the conversation would devolve into another fight, Yulen dropped the subject.

*

The next day at work, her colleagues were just as cold, but Winona paid them no mind. What they thought was their business; she had nothing to apologize for.

She got up to head to the lab but halfway there, she realized she’d forgotten a file and had to turn back. As she neared the office door, she overheard her colleagues gossiping.

"Winona has made so many mistakes, yet she still got into the lab. She must have some serious connections."

"That’s what happens when you get in through the back door. In the R&D department, we all get by on our own merits, but she gets special treatment."

Pretending she hadn't heard a thing, Winona walked in to retrieve her documents. The coworkers who had been gossiping immediately dropped their eyes and pretended to be busy.

That afternoon, Jericho Harper visited the lab. As he reviewed Winona's research data, his eyes filled with admiration.

"I heard about what happened," he said kindly. "I told Nolan that you have exceptional talent. This team is lucky to have you, and they shouldn't be allowed to disrupt your work."

Winona was touched. "Thank you, Mr. Harper."

At the sight of Jericho, both Goddard Group and Locke Group members swarmed him, using the pretext of asking questions to get some face time. While their R&D salaries were good, a position in Jericho’s own lab would be a dream come true.

Tallulah also approached, smiling as she posed a question. Jericho answered her politely, but his tone was noticeably cooler than it had been with Winona. A flash of annoyance crossed Tallulah's mind, but she kept her smile perfectly in place.

That evening, Nolan invited everyone out for dinner. The group headed to the parking garage together.