Three Years Wasted I Married Mr. Right novel Chapter 20

Richard was dressed simply in a white shirt and dark trousers, his silent gaze already fixed upon her.

The faint glow from a wall lamp highlighted his face, softening the severe angles of his features.

A flicker of unease went through Sophia. Offering nothing more than a curt nod, she turned and made her way back up the stairs without a word.

He watched her go, his eyes unreadable as they followed her retreat up the staircase.

The shrill sound of her phone shattered the quiet of the early morning.

Sophia fumbled for the phone, and a panicked voice spilled from the speaker. “Dr. Evans, we have a critical situation with the new anti-aging serum. Your presence in the lab is required immediately.”

The fog of sleep lifted from Sophia’s mind instantly. “I’m ready,” she said.

Her destination was the Yadel Group, a luxury beauty titan under the Westwood Group. It was home to a prestigious collection of brands spanning the worlds of skincare, cosmetics, fragrance, and hair care.

The R&D Department was the heart of the company’s operations.

Two years earlier, that very team created an anti-aging eye cream. It was a runaway success, swiftly climbing to outsell every major international competitor.

Sophia had been there from the beginning, part of the small, dedicated group that brought the formula to life. She contributed her expertise on weekends, a key collaborator though not an official employee.

*****

Two hours later, Sophia walked through the doors of the lab of the R&D Department.

Her colleague, Linda Lynn, met her with a lab coat, and Sophia slipped into it with practiced ease.

They joined the rest of the team already assembled in the laboratory.

Hours were spent in focused collaboration-troubleshooting, running tests, and analyzing results-until they finally zeroed in on the root of the issue.

The team broke into applause. “Dr. Evans, you’re wasted in Marketing. Your real place is here in R&D with us,” someone said.

“Absolutely,” another one agreed. “You should talk to Mr. Westwood about transferring to our team.”

The sound made Sophia’s heart lurch. The last person she expected to see here was Lucas.

She’d spent three years in this lab without a single chance encounter. It was cruel fate for him to walk in now, of all days, just when she had finally decided to walk away for good.

The glass door slid open as the department director led Lucas and Emily inside.

There was no time to hide. Sophia’s eyes met his in a direct, unavoidable glance.

Lucas’s brow furrowed. “Sophia? What are you doing here?” he asked.

Sophia stood

up, her voice calm as she replied, “The Marketing Department needed some figures. I’m just here to collect them.”

Emily’s eyes lingered on the lab coat Sophia wore. “R&D data doesn’t usually go to the Marketing Department,” she said with a subtle smile. “What’s your real reason for being here, Sophia? Surely you’re not after company secrets.”