She analyzed it very logically.
Scott Richard immediately believed her words.
“If that’s truly the case, it will be tricky.” Scott Richard looked out the window, shaking his head. “Right now, there’s no way she would trust anything we say. I’ve noticed she no longer has strong feelings for Henry. Do we really have to pay her alimony? Given her current tactics, the figure she demands won’t be low.”
Andrea remained silent for a while.
This situation was indeed challenging. If they had known earlier, they wouldn’t have torn down their relationship so soon; they would have pacified her and tricked her into giving them the secret formula. Who would have guessed that Sophia had prepared a backup plan, handing them a fake formula? Having stayed with the Scott family for two years, Sophia was undoubtedly aware of the Scott family’s earnings. Just from her family’s formula alone, the annual revenue was considerable. If Sophia demands a share of the assets, her figure won’t be low.
“What if she wants tens of millions?”
“Tens of millions would be optimistic!” Scott Richard drenched in sweat from anxiety, said helplessly, “If it’s lower, we might be able to meet her demands. But if she’s too greedy and asks for a large amount, then…”
“Dream on!” Andrea scoffed coldly, showing no tolerance for Sophia. “That sly girl—I don’t want to give her a single penny! If she’s hoping to make a fortune, no way! Besides, it’s just a formula; we can simply trick it out of her. Spending millions to buy it? That’s ridiculous!”
The couple continued plotting how to deceive Sophia into giving up the formula.
Perhaps it was about to rain; the room felt stuffy. A slight breeze blew in, stirring the white curtains and bringing a cool touch.
Sophia went outside, planning to bring the rocking chair back in, only to find Scott Livinus standing on the neighboring balcony.
He held a wine glass, gazing off at some distant, invisible point, his expression calm.
Scott Livinus raised the book in his hand and said, “Next time, hold it firmly. Don’t let the book slip. Even if it doesn’t hit someone, it wouldn’t be good if it hit an animal.”
Sophia smiled. “Thank you. Next time, I’ll make sure it’s aimed better!”
Scott Livinus chuckled and took a sip of wine.
“I wonder if the book got damaged.”
Since it was a hardcover edition, the cover wasn’t damaged, but the pages were slightly bent. As a book lover, Sophia couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry.
“A bit of damage is no big deal, but you’ve got quite a knack for aiming!”
Sophia felt slightly embarrassed, uncertain if he was complimenting or mocking her.
“I’ll replace it for you someday.”
“No need. Have you finished the book?”
Sophia nodded. It was rare for Mr. Scott to speak this much to her, and she found it unusual. She felt as though he had already exceeded his daily word quota and would soon need to pay extra.
“If you’re done, you can pick another one from my study.”
Sophia agreed and took a copy of The Gentleman in the Parlour from Scott Livinus’s bookshelf. The author was one of Sophia’s favorite authors. Although she had read this book before, the book in Scott Livinus’s edition was much better, and she wanted to read it again to compare the work of different editions.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard Scott Livinus, who was seated at the desk reviewing documents, suddenly speak up:
“The development of the hemorrhoid ointment has encountered issues.”
Sophia paused, her blood unexpectedly boiling with excitement rather than surprise.
She had been waiting for this day; she didn’t expect the problem to arise so quickly.
But why was Scott Livinus specifically telling her this? Did he know that Scott Richard had stolen the formula? Did he guess that the formula was fake?
If that were the case, it would mean that everything she had done was under his observation.
This man was truly terrifying! Thankfully, he wasn’t her opponent.
Scott Livinus continued, “Scott Richard is currently trying to find out what went wrong, though this matter hasn’t been made public.”
“I understand.”
“Sophia.”
“Yes?”
“Scott Richard is determined to get the formula. This is a good thing, but also not a good thing.” After a pause, he lowered his deep eyes and tapped his fingers on the desk a few times before speaking, “He’s the type who resorts to any means necessary. You should be cautious.”
Sophia, of course, understood her in-laws well, so she thanked him and left.
Back in her room, Sophia lay awake for a long time, her mind filled with Scott Livinus’s words. If the formula truly had issues, she didn’t believe Scott Richard would be decent enough to offer money for it. But he desperately needed that formula.
He would definitely find a way to obtain it.
With that in mind, Sophia decided to make preparations in advance.
A light rain fell during the night, and the next morning, the air felt very fresh, especially at the Scott estate, where, even though it was early autumn, the scent of flowers was everywhere.
The fragrance was comforting, with a hint of earthiness. Having lived in the mountains in her past life, Sophia enjoyed this kind of scent.
She went out for a run, surprised to see that the rarely seen drone had appeared again.
It accompanied her throughout her entire run before flying away.
Sophia could now be certain that the owner of this drone was somewhat of an ally. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be helping her so consistently.
At nine in the morning, Sophia arrived at the traditional medicine clinic on time. She had given Wilson Mark the clinic’s address and had arranged to meet at nine. She had already decided that if Wilson Mark were even a minute late, she wouldn’t treat him.
Following the stone path up, she saw Wilson Mark’s Rolls-Royce parked at the entrance as soon as she arrived.
Surprised, she said, “How did you manage to get the car up here?”
Wilson Mark chuckled bitterly, “Don’t even mention it. My driver came up from the back route, climbed many slopes, and the car almost flipped.”
Only then did Sophia realize that a small path on the back mountain was just wide enough for a car? However, due to the many shrubs along the way, it was usually only used for pedestrians, with few daring to drive up. Wilson Mark, with his boldness, had driven a Rolls-Royce up, leaving scratches all over the vehicle. Such is the luxury of wealth.
Sophia smiled and unlocked the clinic.
Wilson Mark took in the clinic’s appearance with some surprise. The clinic didn’t even have a sign and looked quite ordinary, with no road leading up to it. Located halfway up the mountain and surrounded by tea fields, there wasn’t a single person in sight. For Sophia to open her clinic in such a place, was she overly confident in her medical skills, or did she truly believe that good wine needs no bush?
For a moment, Wilson Mark felt a slight sense of doubt about his decision.
