Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 31 - Chapitre 40

[Alice's POV]And David, who was standing next to her, was clearly startled when he heard that paper mentioned. He glanced at Lily, a trace of confusion in his eyes, but was quickly reassured by her next sentence.“Of course, I’m not a researcher.” Lily smiled modestly. “I just happened to encounter the right research at the right time, and I’m willing to fund resources and a platform for it.”Resources and platforms. Really? What a big noter.And she just happened to not mention the person who actually wrote that paper.“So, what do you envisage for the future commercial path of this project?” the associate of an international fund asked with interest.Lily answered glibly, “I tend to prefer two parallel tracks. The clinical side performs high-end custom screening, serving high-risk groups; while the public side uses charity funds to promote subsidized basic testing to increase overall coverage. As for the core technology—”She smiled meaningfully. “I believe that it’s safest if it’s

[Alice's POV]This feeling of loss of control rapidly bloomed in the bathroom. His blood-tasting kiss traveled all the way down from my lips, burying itself in the hollow of my neck, nipping sensitive flesh almost vengefully. Searing nerve endings along my skin became reawakened from a too long slumber.“David, let go.” I tried to keep my voice steady, but the heat from his chest was burning my sanity inch by inch, through the thin silk shirt.“Let go?” His eyes searched mine for intent. “When those men were circling you, did you ever think about letting me go? When Adam was keeping me from you, did you ever think, you’re still Mrs. Newcombe?”With sudden force, he pinned my hands behind my back with one hand, while the other hand forcefully tore open the front of my blouse.I felt the hard edge of the sink pressing against my back, leaving a dull ache. His hot breath rasped against my collarbone, while his hand moved roughly down my body inch by inch, leaving shivers wherever he touc

[Alice's POV]At my reprimand, the whispered discussions around us abruptly stopped. The investors looked at Adam and I with a level of assessment in their eyes — they had already begun to understand that this doctor who was hailed as a genius, was not only a powerhouse in the laboratory, she was also inviolable in the game of life.“Lily,” I took a step closer to her, wrapping the cedar-scented coat around my shoulders tighter, my gaze piercing into the depths of her panicked, flashing eyes.“After your husband died, every night you cried and relied on my husband for comfort.” I laughed not loudly, but clearly.“When you snatched my daughter away from me because you were lonely, when you were crying and seeking protection from David, did you ever think, who do they belong to? So, who exactly is making my child cry? Who is trampling on the word ‘home’ in my household?”The expression on the faces of the onlookers instantly reversed. Those originally prejudiced gazes, were no longer ai

[Alice’s POV]The air was filled with the pungent smell of tobacco, and the smell of gunpowder that might explode at the slightest touch.David’s eyes were red. The humiliation of being completely abandoned had almost made him lose his mind. He glared at me, then at Adam’s hand supporting me around my waist, and let out a cold laugh.“A restraining order?” David took a step closer, the advantage of his height lending him a natural aura of aggression. He completely ignored Adam’s warning, but stared fixedly at me, his voice trembling with anger.“Alice, do you think finding a doctor as a backer will erase our ten-year relationship? Do you think wearing his clothes will cover the smell I left on you, earlier?”“David, shut up!” I snapped, my body taut with renewed anger.Adam’s gaze turned as cold as an arctic glacier. He didn’t retreat, but instead blocked me behind him, meeting David’s gaze with a calm yet provocative posture.“Mr. Newcombe, ten years is enough time to see a person cl

[Alice’s POV]The police officer assigned to this complaint spoke to both men. “Regarding Mrs Newcombe’s movements from here, since this is not a case of injury arising from a domestic violence complaint, the Berkeley Police Department has no jurisdiction in determining her future decisions. She has free choice over whom she accompanies out of this police station.”In a softer voice, David said, “Come with me.” He took my hand and pulled me in close, in an act of domination and possessiveness, and something else. Was it affection, compassion, shades of belonging?He said gently, “Alice, you’re still not well. The world outside isn’t as welcoming as you think. That doctor is just using you for the value of your scientific research successes. But I am your family. We have Camilla. Alice, can you bear to come home, so we can look after you?”I thought of Camilla and my heart wrenched. Our housekeeper was good with her but a little child needs her mother. And I just wanted to end this con