While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Chapter 96 Against the Great Families

Dr. Harrison set down his water glass. The condensation left a ring on the white tablecloth.

"Have you ever heard the name Charles Sterling?" he asked.

Veyra nodded. "Professor Sterling. Xiomara’s mentor. The one who got her into the top university."

Dr. Harrison’s eyebrows rose. "You know about that?"

"I know a lot of things."

He studied her for a moment. Then he continued.

"Professor Sterling called me a few days ago. He recommended Caspian for the partnership."

Veyra’s jaw tightened. "Of course he did."

"Professor Sterling and I have worked together for years. He’s never asked me for a favor before." Dr. Harrison paused. "He said Caspian was the most capable candidate he’d ever seen. That his company was solid. That he would be an asset to any collaboration."

Veyra said nothing.

"I told him I would consider it," Dr. Harrison said. "But I made no promises."

Veyra’s fingers curled around the edge of the table.

"Professor Sterling recommended him," she repeated.

"Yes."

"Because of Xiomara."

Dr. Harrison hesitated. Then he nodded. "Probably."

Veyra exhaled slowly. She stared at the tablecloth. The white fabric was spotless.

"Professor Sterling’s influence is strong," Dr. Harrison continued. "He has connections everywhere. If he pushes for Caspian, other doors will open. Investors. Regulators. Distributors."

Veyra looked up. "Are you saying—"

"I’m saying that by recommending Caspian, I’m also maintaining a relationship with Professor Sterling. A relationship that could benefit SN1818 in the long run."

Veyra’s voice was flat. "So he’s riding Professor Sterling’s coattails."

Dr. Harrison did not disagree.

"Professor Sterling is a powerful ally," he said. "Having him on our side could smooth a lot of obstacles."

"Even if it means working with Caspian?"

"Even then."

Veyra shook her head. "I can’t believe you’re even considering this."

Dr. Harrison leaned forward. His voice was quiet. Serious.

"I told Professor Sterling that I would only recommend candidates of exceptional ability. I made it clear that the selection of a business partner is no trivial matter. He understood."

"But you still recommended him."

"I recommended him because he is suitable. His company is solid. His resources are substantial. By the numbers, he’s one of the top candidates." Dr. Harrison paused. "I also recommended him because Professor Sterling asked me to."

Veyra stared at him.

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" Dr. Harrison asked.

"It makes me angry."

"I understand."

"You don’t understand." Her voice rose. "You don’t know what he did to me."

She stopped. Her throat was tight. She pressed her palm flat against the table.

Dr. Harrison waited.

When she spoke again, her voice was quieter.

"There is existing bad blood between us."

Dr. Harrison’s expression shifted. "Bad blood?"

"Yes. I can’t work with him. I won’t." She didn’t explain any further.

Dr. Harrison was quiet for a long moment.

Then he said, "I recommended him because of the numbers. Because of Professor Sterling’s influence. Because I thought it was the right business decision."

He paused.

"But the final decision is yours, not mine or Professor Sterling’s but ours."

Veyra looked at him.

"If you say no, I will remove his name from the list," Dr. Harrison said. "I will tell Professor Sterling that the partnership went to someone else. And I will never mention Caspian name again."

Veyra’s throat tightened.

"You would do that?"

"I would do that."

She looked down at her hands. The black gloves were still on her fingers. The metal knuckles caught the light.

She thought about Caspian. About the way he had grabbed her in the restaurant. About the way he had demanded explanations he was not entitled to.

"I don’t want to work with him," she said. "I can’t."

Dr. Harrison nodded. "Then we won’t."

Veyra exhaled. The tension in her shoulders eased.

"Thank you," she said.

Dr. Harrison waved a hand. "There’s no need to thank me. I should have asked you about him from the beginning."

She shook her head. "You didn’t know."

"I should have guessed." He sighed. "The way you reacted when you saw his name. The way you spoke about him. I should have known there was history."

Veyra said nothing.

Dr. Harrison picked up the tablet. He swiped the screen. Caspian’s photo disappeared.

"Let’s move on," he said. "Who else is on the list?"

She leaned forward. "Show me the others."

He swiped again. A new photo appeared.

Xavier Lala. Round glasses. Calm expression. Dark hair neatly parted.

"This is Xavier Lala," Dr. Harrison said. "He runs Solstice Pharmaceuticals. His capabilities are on par with Caspian’s. Maybe better."

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