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Novel Catalog
Chapter 25
Roxanne froze, the mention of the Pearson family hitting her like a cold splash of water.
The Pearson family?
As far as she knew, there was only one Pearson family in Horington that was deeply entrenched in the crude drug industry. And, coincidentally, that was the family with whom she had some unresolved issues.
Roxanne’s mind raced as she hoped, desperately, that fate wouldn’t be cruel enough to make her face the one person she was trying to avoid.
Moments later, the car came to a halt in front of a small, quaint café. The crude drug supplier’s team had yet to arrive.
“Let’s wait inside,” Colby said, as he led Roxanne into the café’s private room. The two of them ordered coffee, settling in to await their meeting.
Time passed slowly as they waited. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, there was a knock on the door.
Colby straightened in his chair. “They’re here.”
Roxanne gave him a subtle nod and stood up, trying to keep her expression neutral despite the storm brewing in her chest. “Please, come in,” she called out.
The door creaked open, and a deep male voice echoed through the room. “Apologies for the delay.”
Roxanne lifted her gaze, but the moment their eyes met, her heart sank. Standing in the doorway, as if summoned by her thoughts, was Aubree.
Roxanne exhaled softly, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. Speak of the devil.
Aubree, on the other hand, looked like she’d seen a ghost. Her eyes widened in shock, and she blurted out, “You— Roxanne? Why are you here?”
Roxanne fought the instinct to roll her eyes. Didn’t she disappear from everyone’s lives six years ago? What is she doing here now?
Colby and Charles exchanged confused glances at Aubree’s reaction.
“Ms. Pearson, do you know Dr. Jarvis?” Colby asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.
Aubree’s gaze flicked to him, confusion briefly clouding her features. “Dr. Jarvis?”
Colby smiled politely and gestured toward Roxanne. “Roxanne Jarvis is the head of our research institute. She was informed about our collaboration with your family’s company and insisted on joining us as a sign of our sincerity.”
The moment the words left Colby’s lips, Aubree’s face darkened, her emotions flashing like a storm cloud across her features. She knew this was no coincidence.
Is this why Lucian’s been so distant? Has he found out that Roxanne is back?
The realization struck her like a punch to the gut. Had they met? Had Lucian already seen Roxanne? The thought made her chest tighten.
As Aubree’s internal turmoil deepened, she quickly masked it with a forced smile, but her gaze remained sharp, her eyes never leaving Roxanne.
On the other hand, Roxanne was much calmer, almost unnervingly so. She stared at Aubree for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly before she asked bluntly, “Ms. Pearson, are you reconsidering our collaboration?”
Aubree, ever so practiced in controlling her emotions, straightened herself and quickly recovered, her lips curling into a polite but chilly smile. “Of course not. Dr. Galloway has put in considerable work on this contract. I wouldn’t let his efforts go to waste.”
She then turned to the waiter and ordered another round of coffee—four cups this time, no doubt to prolong the inevitable discussion.
As they waited for the coffee to arrive, Aubree’s gaze lingered on Roxanne, her mind racing. The woman in front of her had changed. It was impossible to ignore the contrast between who she had been six years ago and who she was now.
Roxanne exuded an air of quiet authority, a confidence that Aubree could never have imagined in her back then. Her presence alone was enough to make anyone in the room feel her dominance. Meanwhile, Aubree had stayed the same—stuck in the same life, waiting for a man who was drifting farther and farther away.
Aubree clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms as jealousy coursed through her veins. Why was it always Roxanne?
She masked her jealousy with a forced breath and turned her attention back to the business at hand. “I’m truly interested in continuing our collaboration, but I believe the price we initially agreed on is no longer suitable,” Aubree said, her smile sharp and calculating.
Colby opened his mouth to respond, but Roxanne stopped him with a slight gesture, her eyes fixed on Aubree with quiet determination.
“And what do you mean by that, Ms. Pearson?” Roxanne asked, her tone calm, yet it carried an unspoken weight.
Aubree’s smile never wavered, but her eyes were icy. “I would like to propose an increase of two percent on the original price.”
The words hung in the air, as if they were a challenge. Roxanne met her gaze, unflinching, before speaking with an even tone.
“I see. And why exactly do you feel the need to revise the price now?”
Aubree didn’t flinch, but internally, her heart was racing. The control was slipping from her grasp, and she could feel the walls closing in. Roxanne had never been someone to easily back down, and she knew it would take much more than a simple price change to rattle her.
