The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 490

A week later, at The Serene Pavilion.

Tucked deep within the embassy district, this private club was strictly invitation-only. Wind chimes whispered over a dry landscape garden, while the scent of premium agarwood curled through the tea room. It was so quiet you could hear the soft crackle of burning charcoal.

The paper screen door slid open smoothly. Vanessa Vaughan walked in, wearing a sharp charcoal skirt suit, her makeup flawless and icy.

Grant Lennox stood up to greet her, flashing an immaculate smile.

"Vanessa, have some tea." He personally poured her a cup.

Vanessa sat down, picked up the cup, and took a sip. She skipped the pleasantries, simply lifting her gaze to look at him.

"Vanessa," Grant set down the teapot and leaned forward. His voice dropped to a low, desperate pitch, like a man backed into a corner.

"I need your help one more time. Professor Sterling put you entirely in charge of the Vitas Strain rollout, didn't he? I've already negotiated with Knox Biotech. I'll give you another full percent of all Genesis-1 profits."

"Just find a way to make the Vitas Strain launch fail. Name your price!"

Vanessa set her teacup back onto the wooden tray. The ceramic clinked sharply against the clay.

She looked at Grant for a long time. Her gaze held exasperation, a touch of resignation, and a fleeting trace of something she couldn't quite identify—perhaps pity.

"Grant, do you honestly still not get it?"

Her voice was steady, presenting a cold, undeniable fact. "You are already a discarded pawn to Professor Sterling. The Vitas Strain launch is happening, no matter what."

The smile froze on Grant's face.

He remained silent for a few seconds before slowly sinking back into his chair. His fingers unconsciously tapped against the wooden table. "Has Garrison already solved the packaging issue?"

"Yes, he has."

Grant's pupils contracted slightly.

Vanessa nodded, tracing the rim of her empty cup with a manicured finger. "And the person running Taylor Manufacturing Corp right now is Sloane. Garrison's ex-wife."

Grant's hand clenched violently around his teacup.

He snapped his head up to stare at Vanessa. For the first time, an unconcealable shock shattered his usual composed demeanor.

"What? I thought his ex-wife died in Antarctica! She's the one who found the White Microbe and was posthumously declared a national hero..."

Vanessa watched him. She didn't answer right away. She picked up the teapot and casually poured herself another cup. The rising steam blurred her expression.

"She's back." She paused. "Under a new identity. Sloane Sutton."

She let out a dry, mocking laugh. "She's a student at Riverdale University. Professor Sterling even helped set it up."