Page 128 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“We should expect a delay of two to three months. Though I’ll admit the situation is becoming more complicated. For reasons she refuses to disclose, Valeria seems reluctant to sign with you.”

“That was never part of the discussion,” Peltier suddenly cuts in. “Where is this coming from?”

I slowly turn my eyes toward him.

“Being a shareholder does not give you the right to speak to me that way.”

Wald grows thoughtful.

“Why not consider a technology-sharing agreement?” he suggests. “As CEO, you don’t need Ms. Delorme’s approval to give us access to the R&D department. In exchange, we could already transfer part of the promised funding.”

“That’s generous of you, but I can’t afford to alienate my best researcher.”

Peltier lets out a short, humorless laugh.

“And you’re not afraid of alienating me? We made commitments to Mr. Wald. We can’t throw everything away just because Ms. Delorme came back from the dead.”

I don’t like his tone.

Why is he being so aggressive?

Is this really just about money?

Or is there something else behind all this?

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Wald asks, his patience already beginning to wear thin.

I hold his gaze.

“That I’ll probably have to start looking for other partners.”

I expected a reaction.

But not this one.

For a very brief moment, all of them freeze.

The same tension flashes through the eyes of Wald, Bianca… and Peltier.

Then Peltier shoots a quick glance toward Wald. Like a reflex.

And suddenly, the memory comes back.

He’s the one who introduced us to Wald.

Four years ago, during a pharmaceutical conference.

How the hell did I forget that?

Peltier is the first to recover.

“Other partners?”

“Yes. Negotiations are still ongoing, but they’re progressing well.”

“And how is it possible that we weren’t informed?”

“Until further notice, I’m still the CEO of this company. The fact that you’re a minority shareholder and a member of the board does not entitle you to demand anything from me. Especially not in that tone.”