The Abandoned Wife

The Unwelcome Encounter

After Lucian said those words, he looked away from Aubree's face.He had decided to marry Aubree back then to repay the favor her grandfather had done for them.That was why he interacted with the Pearson family so closely. That was also why he had agreed to marry Aubree when the elders of the families suggested it.In fact, for a while, Lucian was sure that Aubree was his first crush.That lasted until six years ago when that woman left without saying anything. It was then he realized that the feeling he had for Aubree was not love as he initially a*sumed.After that, the elders of both families kept urging him to marry her, but he had found all kinds of excuses to delay the wedding.In those six years, he had also done everything he could to a*sist the Pearson family and agreed to all kinds of business requests they made to repay them for the kindness back then.Now, it seemed like he had done more than enough to repay them for that favor back then.At the very least, it was enough for him not to proceed with the wedding."Lucian..."Aubree's voice trembled as she looked at his expressionless face. She wanted to find out if her guesses were right.Lucian lifted his hand to ma*sage the bridge of his nose. Then, he cut her off, "Put down the file. I'll look at it later. I still have work to do, so if there isn't anything else, you can leave."Aubree bit her lip and stared at him for a moment. When she realized that he was not going to change his mind, her eyes slowly reddened. Still, she forced the upset and sorrow down her throat, put down the file, and left.Aubree's mood was grim as she exited the Farwell Group's office.She had been waiting for six years, but Lucian never once gave her a proper answer. Now, he was telling her that he was planning to call off the wedding.Fortunately, Aubree was certain that there were no other women around Lucian.In other words, she still had a chance with him.With that thought in mind, Aubree's grave expression lightened up a little.Yes, I still have a chance. The wedding is only unsalvageable if I make Lucian frustrated with me. I have to stay calm.As Aubree consoled herself, she entered the car."Are you heading back to the company?"Her a*sistant, Charles Lampton, was tentative as he spoke to his employer, for he noticed the look on her face.Aubree glanced at him. "No, I'll be having lunch outside. Haven't we agreed to meet VR Research Institute to sign the contract in the afternoon? We're going back only after signing the contract."Charles nodded.At two in the afternoon, Roxanne and Colby departed from the research institute to the destination where they had agreed to meet the crude drug supplier.On their way there, Roxanne abruptly recalled that she had yet to find out the details about their business partner. Thus, she asked Colby, "Can you tell me the details about the crude drug supplier that we're about to sign with?"She was the person in charge of the research institute. If she knew nothing about the crude drug supplier, the other party might think that she was not serious enough about the deal when they met later. In that case, her ignorance might affect their collaboration.Knowing what was on Roxanne's mind, Colby explained in detail, "This crude drug supplier is ma*sive in Horington. Their family established itself by running crude drug businesses. Moreover, the prices that this crude drug supplier has are reasonable. Furthermore, after they found out that our research institute has a certain level of influence in the market abroad, they became interested to work with us. They seem sincere, so don't worry about that."Hearing that, Roxanne inclined her head in understanding. Simultaneously, she breathed out an inaudible sigh of relief. "I know the few major crude drug suppliers in Horington. According to your explanation, the one we're signing with should be one of them. I wonder which one is the one we're about to meet with."Colby replied, "The Pearson family."Roxanne stiffened immediately.The Pearson family?As far as she knew, there was only one Pearson family in Horington who was in the crude drug industry.Coincidentally, that was the family she had some issues with.At that though, Roxanne creased her forehead and prayed that she would not be unfortunate enough to encounter the one she did not want to meet the most.Soon, they arrived at their destination—a café.The people from the crude drug supplier had yet to arrive.Colby and Roxanne took a seat first. They then ordered two cups of coffee and waited for the other party to arrive.Dozens of minutes later, someone knocked on the door of the private room.Colby straightened up and said to Roxanne, "They're here."Roxanne gave him a quick nod. Rising to her feet, she then said, "Please come in."Soon, someone pushed the door open, and a male voice traveled into their ears. "Sorry that we're late."The moment Roxanne lifted her head, she locked eyes with Aubree.Instantly, Roxanne sighed in her mind. Speak of the devil.Unlike her, Aubree widened her eyes in shock. As she was overwhelmed by surprise, she screeched out, "You— Roxanne? Why is it you?"Didn't you disappear a long time ago? Why are you here now?Colby and Charles were baffled by Aubree's response.Colby then asked in a curious but friendly tone, "Ms. Pearson, do you know Dr. Jarvis?"Aubree's eyes flitted toward Colby. "Dr. Jarvis?""Roxanne Jarvis is the person in charge of our research institute. When she found out that we're signing a contract with you, she has asked to come along as a sign of our sincerity," Colby introduced.However, Aubree's expression only turned even darker.All she wanted to know was when Roxanne had returned.It's Lucian's first time telling me that he's thinking of calling off the wedding this morning. Is this because of Roxanne? Has he... found out that Roxanne's back? Have they met each other?The more Aubree dwelled on it, the more anxious she became. As she stared at Roxanne, her expression darkened and paled.On the other hand, Roxanne was much calmer. It was as if it was her first time seeing Aubree.She glanced at her and frowned before straightforwardly asking, "Ms. Pearson, are you not planning to continue with our collaboration?"Hearing her, Aubree swiftly tucked away her emotions and looked at her for a moment. As her expression turned icy, the look in her eyes changed into an amused one as well. "Of course I'm planning to continue. Dr. Galloway has been working on this contract for such a long time. I won't let his efforts go to waste."With that, she summoned the waiter and ordered another four cups of coffee.While they were waiting for the coffee, Aubree's darkened gaze lingered on Roxanne.Despite her unwillingness to admit it, Roxanne had changed a lot after six years.in the past, she had a cautious demeanor, but now, all she needed to do was sit there, and anyone could feel how intimidating she was. Her looks and presence were overpowering Aubree.On the other hand, six years had gone by, and Aubree had never changed. The man she nearly had was now getting further and further away from her.When she realized that, Aubree's hands under the table tightened into fists as jealousy coursed through her veins."I truly wish to work with your institute, but I don't think the price we negotiated previously is a suitable one. Since Dr. Jarvis is here, I think we can discuss the price again."Even though Aubree had a professional smile on her face, the look in her eyes was a glacial one.Upon hearing her, Colby parted his lips, about to speak, but Roxanne stopped him. She calmly asked, "Ms. Pearson, what you mean...""I hope we can have an increment of two percent of the original price," Aubree uttered.