The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 191

Valor stepped into the private room, where Sylvan and Tallulah were already waiting.

“Valor!” Sylvan greeted him warmly. “It’s been too long. We have to take advantage of this chance meeting in Riverton and have a proper drink.”

Valor gave him a cool, noncommittal nod. The two had been close once, but like Jericho, Valor had distanced himself from Sylvan after disapproving of how he'd treated Wynne years ago. The only reason Valor had agreed to this dinner was because Sylvan’s proposal for a partnership with Locke Group had genuinely intrigued him.

Jericho, on the other hand, was met with a much warmer reception. He smiled and shook Valor’s hand.

Valor’s entire demeanor shifted. “I always told you to stay in the capital,” he said to Jericho, a friendly chiding in his tone. “Your achievements in pharmaceutical R&D would be even greater by now.”

“I’m a Riverton man at heart,” Jericho replied with a gentle smile. “I prefer the climate and the people here. Working in Riverton is what I’ve always wanted.” He then gestured toward Winona. “This is my new student, Winona. She has a real gift for research. If you see potential in her, feel free to offer her some guidance as well.”

Valor was taken aback. Over the years, young people who earned Jericho's approval were few and far between, and he had never once introduced a student to him. Jericho had famously said, “My students are all fools. It’s a miracle if they can absorb even a fraction of what I teach them.” For Jericho to endorse Winona so strongly meant she had to be exceptionally talented. He found himself growing more curious about her. She looked so young; could she really be as brilliant as Jericho claimed?

Sylvan and Tallulah exchanged frustrated glances. They couldn’t believe Valor had been won over so easily. In their eyes, Winona was a fraud who had simply been coached by Jericho to spout a few impressive-sounding opinions. Unwilling to see his old friend deceived by such a manipulative woman, Sylvan interjected, “Valor, taking on a student is a serious commitment. Perhaps you should give it more thought?”

Valor’s expression immediately cooled. Sylvan’s comment was a direct insult to Jericho’s judgment and a challenge to his own professional expertise. If not for their past friendship, he would have stormed out right then and there. Seeing Valor’s displeasure, Sylvan sighed and decided to drop it. This Winona certainly had a way with words, managing to fool two of his old friends. But R&D wasn't about talking a good game. When she failed to produce any actual results, her true colors would be revealed.

Ignoring Winona, he turned the spotlight back to Tallulah. “This is the R&D director for Locke Group. As you know, their research results in recent years have been astonishing. I believe once you talk to her, you'll understand what we mean by the formidable younger generation.”