What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 69

"Mom, I don't think I'll ever be able to give the Sanders family a child. You should push Kaia to have a couple more. Brynlee's health has always been fragile, and she's a girl. If Kaia could just give the family a couple of healthy heirs, I know Grandmother would be thrilled."

Elaine's face darkened at the mention of children.

"You think you can just snap your fingers and have a baby? Kaia has spent the last few years completely focused on taking care of Brynlee. Josephine and I have both pushed her. She gave us the same excuse you and Rafael used—too busy with work, no time, we'll talk about it later."

Noelle murmured an "oh." Then added, "But Kaia is the only daughter-in-law the Sanders family has left. She really needs to prioritize this and expand the family line. Isn't that her responsibility as a wife?"

"Her sense of responsibility is entirely focused on climbing the career ladder. She's not nearly as family-oriented as you are." Elaine reached out and squeezed Noelle's hand. "Noelle, it breaks my heart that you couldn't have a child for me. It's my greatest regret."

Noelle's eyes flickered. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Elaine sighed.

Her eldest son had passed away without leaving an heir. As a mother, the pain was unbearable.

"Get some sleep. Don't stay up too late." Elaine cherished Noelle's dependency and sweet nature.

When Noelle returned to her room, the fragile, wronged expression vanished entirely from her face. In its place was the cold, hard look of a predator locking onto its prey.

The next morning, the team from Veridian Future had an important meeting at the National Pharmaceutical Review Board to pitch a major collaboration.

Silas Sanders led the group personally, with Kaia accompanying him as the lead researcher, bringing their core team along.

As their convoy pulled into the parking lot, they watched several white luxury SUVs pull in right beside them.

Kaia looked at the license plates, her clear eyes darkening.

Silas shrugged, forcing a casual tone. "Looks like the competition is here."

Kaia replied flatly, "A new adjuvant treatment for tumors is also one of Aethelstan's top priorities right now. Of course they're going to fight for it."

Noelle stepped out of her car wearing a sleek gray skirt suit with a matching overcoat, her long hair pulled up, her makeup understated but flawless.

She adjusted her collar and looked over at Kaia and Silas. "What a coincidence. Kaia, Silas."

Noelle radiated the authoritative aura of a CEO. By her side stood Finnian's executive assistant, Chase, sticking to her like glue. Even though Finnian wasn't there in person, his presence was loudly felt.

Kaia finally understood the weight of the promise Finnian had made. He had put the entire weight of the Sanders family behind Noelle. If he said she was capable, he would make damn sure she succeeded.

It wasn't just empty words; it was a raw, public display of his influence.

Inside the National Pharmaceutical Review Board's conference room.

"This seems to completely contradict the modern pharmaceutical standard of seeking clear, defined targets and mechanisms. Your presentation sounds lovely, but honestly, it feels a bit like pseudoscience."

It was a textbook attack on alternative medicine's biggest vulnerability.

Silas stared at Noelle. She was ruthless at finding the cracks.

Even Silas, who was usually the picture of confidence, tensed up. He couldn't help but look at Kaia.

Kaia didn't flinch. She simply offered a faint smile. "Ms. Lawrence has pointed out the exact challenge we are currently solving."

Kaia pulled up a fresh data set, effortlessly citing advanced manufacturing techniques and recent peer-reviewed journals, instantly elevating the discussion to a high-level academic debate.

Noelle's face stiffened. She couldn't keep up with this level of hard academic combat.

She shot a quick, desperate glance at Chase.

Chase shook his head slightly. They hadn't prepped for this level of technical granularity.

The experts on the board whispered among themselves, clearly more interested in the concrete solutions Kaia was presenting.

Seeing the momentum slip away from Aethelstan, Noelle took a deep breath. Her mind raced as she pivoted, launching an attack from an entirely different angle. She feigned a sigh. "Dr. Chavez's research is certainly impressive. But if I remember correctly, the preliminary concepts and data you're using are derived from your time leading The Serenity Elixir Project at Aethelstan. That was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of our team. I know science has no borders, but using Aethelstan's proprietary groundwork to jump-start Veridian... doesn't that cross a line of business ethics?"