Chapter 4I Put My Husband’s First Love on a Pedestal After Rebirth

Worn down by her nagging, Adrian backhanded her across the face.

"Shut up. If it weren't for you, such a reckless spendthrift, the company wouldn’t be in such a mess!"

Tiffany clutched her cheek and stared at him in disbelief.

"You hit me? You hit me over some stupid company?"

"You'll regret this, Adrian."

She ran out of the house in tears.

I sat at the top of the second-floor stairs, watching the farce, thoroughly enjoying myself.

In my last life, Adrian had treated Tiffany like something precious, never so much as a harsh word for her.

Now that his own interests were on the line, the golden girl he had cherished had become nothing but a nuisance to him.

With Adrian at the end of his rope, I changed into a business suit and slipped quietly out the back of the house.

I didn't go to the office. I drove straight to Dr. Whitmore's institute.

In my last life, trying to save the deal, I had learned everything there was to know about him.

He was desperate for funding because one of his research projects had reached a critical stage.

If it succeeded, it would completely change the landscape of rare-disease treatment in the country.

But the risk was so high that no investor would touch it.

Carrying a locked briefcase, I walked into the institute's lobby.

The receptionist stopped me.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Dr. Whitmore is shut away running experiments and isn't seeing anyone."

I smiled slightly, took a document from my bag, and handed it to her.

"Please give this to him. Tell him the founder of Astra Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Kane, is here with funding."

The receptionist glanced at it, then picked up the phone and dialed an internal line.

Barely five minutes passed.

Dr. Whitmore's assistant came hurrying out and ushered me in.

His office was piled high with journals and research files.

He frowned when I came in, clearly not yet recognizing me as the Mrs. Vance from the summit.

"You're Ms. Kane, from Astra Pharmaceuticals? Where did you get this data?"

He pointed at the document on the desk, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.

I walked up to him and bowed deeply.

"Dr. Whitmore, let me reintroduce myself. I'm Vivian Kane. I'm also Adrian Vance's wife."

His face darkened instantly, and he slammed a hand on the desk.

"You have the nerve to show your face? I've seen exactly how the Vances operate."

"Get out. I will never work with a company like yours."

I didn't get angry. Instead I took a thick proposal and a bank card out of the briefcase.

"You've misunderstood, Dr. Whitmore. I'm not here on behalf of the Vances today."

"I've decided to divorce Adrian, and I've founded Astra Pharmaceuticals."

"There's fifty million dollars on this card. It's my personal savings, and it's Astra's investment in your new project."

Dr. Whitmore stared at me, stunned.

"You want to fund my new project? Are you out of your mind? The risk is enormous. You could lose every last cent."

I met his eyes, steady and sincere.

"Dr. Whitmore, I believe in your ability, and even more in your conscience as a healer."

"Adrian is shortsighted. He only cares about what's in front of him. He doesn't deserve to work with you."

"I'm different. I'm willing to put everything on the line and take this gamble with you."

He fell silent, looking from the card on the desk back to me.

After a long moment, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Vivian, you're really something."

"All right. I agree. From now on, all my patents will be licensed exclusively to Astra Pharmaceuticals."

Fighting down the elation surging in my chest, I offered the contract I had prepared with both hands.

"To a good partnership, Dr. Whitmore."

After the contract was signed, I walked out of the institute and let out a long breath.

Adrian, I had your fatal weakness gripped tight in my hands now.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was Adrian, his voice bursting with excitement.

"Honey, there's hope. The company's saved!"

"Word's going around the industry that Dr. Whitmore found a new backer and started a company called Astra Pharmaceuticals."

"If we can get in with Astra and become their downstream distributor, the company can come back from the dead."

Holding back a laugh, I answered with feigned surprise.

"Really? You're amazing, babe. I can't believe you found that out."

"Then hurry and contact whoever runs Astra. Don't let someone else beat you to it."

Adrian laughed, full of himself.

"Relax. I already found out Astra is holding a press conference tomorrow."

"I'll be there in person tomorrow, and with my skills, I'll lock down the distribution rights, no question."

"Just wait at home for the good news, honey."

After I hung up, I couldn't help laughing out loud.

Oh, Adrian. The savior you're praying for is about to send you straight to hell with her own two hands.