Chapter 2

"I refuse. I made no mistake," I stated firmly.

Sophia was livid. Her expression hardened as she pointed at me with a trembling finger. "I was willing to give you a chance for old times' sake, Mason.

"I didn't think you'd remain completely unrepentant. Blacklist him! Issue an official statement under the company's name immediately and notify the entire industry that Mason falsified his patent!"

"You can't do that, Sophia! The patents for all nine drugs that Sophon Pharmaceuticals currently manufactures and sells are under my name. Once you issue that statement, the company will have to suspend all pharmaceutical production until a full investigation is completed."

Although I was mad at Sophia for blindly defending Robert, Sophon Pharmaceuticals was a company I'd built with my own blood, sweat, and tears.

I provided the core technology, took out the loans, and built the company into what it was today before handing the position of CEO over to Sophia so I could devote myself to developing new drugs.

All I wanted was for Sophon Pharmaceuticals to possess a unique, life-saving drug that would lay the foundation for a century-old pharmaceutical company and fulfill Sophia's dream.

Little did I know, a man like Robert, who had only been in contact with traditional medicine for half a year, could wrap Sophia around his finger.

"You overestimate yourself, Mason. Do you think the company can't survive without you? It's just a patent.

"Just you wait. If I can develop the first miracle drug, I can develop a second, a third, and more... Ms. Cooper, when the time comes, I'll give all the patents to you! Unlike a certain someone who, even after getting married, still keeps his tricks up his sleeve," Robert boasted shamelessly, painting a grand illusion for Sophia.

After hearing that, my brows knitted together. "Pharmaceutical research isn't that simple. One has to analyze ancient formulas, account for how the medicinal properties of herbs have changed over time, consider differences in climate and people's physical constitutions, and conduct repeated experiments.

"It takes years of rigorous testing and refining to produce a single drug. Sophia—"

"Ms. Cooper!" Robert cut me off. "Let's halt production and recall all the drugs currently on the market. I refuse to believe we can't survive without Mason!"

Sophia was persuaded; she was actually about to do it. I hurriedly stopped her, yet Robert shoved me, and I instinctively pushed back. To my horror, he fell backward and tumbled to the floor.

Sophia was so angry that she slapped me twice in quick succession. "How dare you pick on Robert right in front of my face, Mason? Now, I completely believe that your claim about his patent certificate being forged is nothing but slander!

"You just can't stand seeing Robert outperform you. In fact, you don't want me to marry him, and you don't want me to be happy!"

What on earth was she on about? I was dumbstruck by her twisted logic. How could someone be this unreasonable?

It was as if her head were filled with water. Even worse, it seemed to be boiling, hot enough to cook her brain.

"Don't believe him; you'll regret it!" I warned her, out of the last bit of consideration I had left for her as my wife.

Unfortunately, the more I went against her, the more she believed I was just scared and guilty. Sophia helped Robert up to his feet and led him out.

After taking a few steps, she stopped in her tracks and ordered me, "Sign the divorce agreement and hand it to me. I'm going to the courthouse to register my marriage to Rob. I don't want to be on the same household registry with a hypocrite like you for another second!"

I was so furious that I could feel all the blood in my body rushing to my head. The actual hypocrite was standing right beside her, yet she was completely blind to it. Worse still, she protected him like he was some precious treasure!

I took a deep breath, suppressed my anger, and reminded her, "Robert's patent wasn't obtained legitimately, Sophia. There's definitely something wrong with it. Don't make an impulsive decision. Let's go to the patent office together and have it re—"