The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me

Chapter 231: Someone Is Investigating President Sullivan’s Background

Chapter 231: Someone Is Investigating President Sullivan’s Background

Mr. Young explained the main purpose was a collaborative project merging artificial intelligence and biomedical technology, intended to deeply integrate industry, academia, research, and application.

Rachel Royce listened to Mr. Young. Seeing how rapidly Ascendant, under Alexander Sullivan’s control, was developing, she knew it was putting considerable pressure on Prodigy.

After the meeting concluded, Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton left Haywarden.

Just as they reached the lobby, they ran into Alexander Sullivan and Claire Ainsworth, who were also about to leave.

Claire Ainsworth was holding Alexander Sullivan’s arm. "Brother, I won’t be willful anymore. I’ll study hard, and I won’t disappoint you or Mom." Alexander Sullivan’s gentle gaze fell upon Claire Ainsworth’s obedient, coquettish face. His deep eyes seemed to be looking at her, yet also looking through her, at someone else.

He placed his hand on Claire Ainsworth’s head. "You’ve finally grown up." Claire Ainsworth smiled coquettishly.

A car slowly pulled up in front of them. Claire Ainsworth suddenly stood on her tiptoes and gave the man a quick kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye, Brother," she said, bidding him farewell with the naive innocence of a little girl.

Alexander Sullivan’s body stiffened, and a shadow suddenly passed through his eyes.

Claire Ainsworth, however, didn’t seem to notice. As she turned to get into the car, she shot a sideways glance in Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton’s direction.

The corner of her lips curved into a faint, subtle, provocative arc.

Rachel Royce hadn’t intended to look at them, but for some reason, she found Claire Ainsworth’s subtle provocation incredibly grating.

This provocation was clearly not aimed at Joanna Sutton, but at her, which made her feel a wave of nausea and disgust.

’If it were Tristan Sterling instead of Alexander Sullivan, I could understand Claire Ainsworth’s actions,’ she thought. ’But doing this in front of Alexander... I have no idea what’s going through that crazy head of hers.’

Claire Ainsworth got into the car and left.

Kingsland University had recently launched a management program for established professionals. Claire Ainsworth had enrolled, and today was mainly about gaining practical experience by shadowing Alexander Sullivan.

Rachel Royce and Joanna Sutton said goodbye to Mr. Young, walked straight out of the company lobby, and headed toward the commercial van waiting for them in the back.

Alexander Sullivan saw them. He could clearly feel Rachel Royce’s cold annoyance toward him, which caused an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

Mr. Young saw Alexander Sullivan and walked over to greet him. Alexander quickly suppressed the unidentifiable emotion welling up inside him.

After a brief greeting, Alexander Sullivan also got into his car and left.

「Inside the car.」

"The meal we had yesterday was so disgusting I almost threw up," Joanna Sutton said, her voice filled with undisguised disdain.

Rachel Royce smiled faintly. "Just don’t actually throw up in the car."

Joanna Sutton let out a sarcastic laugh. "If Alexander Sullivan wasn’t Claire Ainsworth’s brother, where would that leave Tristan Sterling?"

"It’s obvious Claire Ainsworth wants every outstanding man in the world to fall at her feet," Rachel Royce said. She thought back to that time in New York.

Rachel Royce had noticed the strange way Claire Ainsworth looked at Zion Alden; she had probably been captivated by his aura and appearance.

"She probably wants to build a harem, but with a brain like hers, she’s only fit to be a man’s plaything. Tristan Sterling is so shrewd. You think he can’t see what kind of person Claire Ainsworth is? He still has no intention of marrying her. I bet he’s just toying with her."

Rachel Royce turned her head to look out the window, not responding.

Claire Ainsworth arrived at Kingsland University and went to the classroom.

She sat in her seat, and soon, a guy came over to hit on her. But one look at his appearance and demeanor, and she couldn’t be bothered to respond.

That didn’t stop him from trying to talk to her, though. Claire Ainsworth was simply too stunning, her looks on par with any top-tier celebrity, and she possessed an arrogant air that only made her more alluring.

Although Claire Ainsworth acted cold, she secretly reveled in this kind of adoration.

This scene was witnessed by the person who walked into the classroom and up to the lectern, book in hand.

Seeing the department head and the lecturer arrive, everyone quickly returned to their seats.

When Claire Ainsworth saw the person at the lectern, she couldn’t hide the amazement in her eyes. But she also felt he looked very familiar.

Everyone else in the classroom, men and women alike, was stunned by the man’s handsome features and distinguished air.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in a black suit that gave him a noble air. His exquisite features were like something out of a manga. He wore black-framed glasses and held a book, which added a gentle, scholarly touch to his persona.

The department head explained to the class, "Professor Julian Jennings is too busy with work to teach this session, so Mr. Ivan Alden will be substituting for him. Mr. Alden is the founder of the International XX Foundation..." The head’s introduction left everyone in shock.

Ivan Alden looked so young, yet he was so accomplished. It was truly astonishing. His resume was in no way inferior to that of a genius like Julian Jennings.

Claire Ainsworth stared at the man on the stage. The moment she heard his name, her first thought was of Zion Alden.

The more she looked, the more she saw the resemblance between the two.

However, he was wearing a ring on his ring finger, so he was probably married.

Just then, Ivan Alden glanced in her direction, giving her a slight nod and a smile.

Claire Ainsworth’s breath caught in her throat.

The hour-long lecture ended quickly.

At first, the established professionals in the class had been skeptical of the young-looking Ivan Alden, but after one lecture, all their doubts were dispelled.

He truly had the skills to back it up.

There was another class with a different instructor next.

After the classes ended, Claire Ainsworth packed her things and left. When she reached the parking lot, she saw Ivan Alden leaning against the front of his car, talking on the phone.

The cold wind rustled the hem of the man’s coat, and his short, re-dyed black hair fluttered. He had taken off his glasses, and without them, he lost the gentle elegance he had in class, replaced by a more roguish flamboyance.

Ivan Alden saw her, said something to the person on the phone, and then hung up. He straightened up and walked toward Claire Ainsworth.

Claire Ainsworth stood still, staring at him.

Ivan Alden stopped and looked down at her. His tone was polite as he said, "Miss Ainsworth, could we talk?"

Claire Ainsworth was startled. "You know me?" she asked, surprised.

「Cedarwood Group.」

Tristan Sterling had just finished an international video conference when he received a phone call.

"President Sterling, someone is investigating President Sullivan’s background."

Tristan Sterling’s sharp brows furrowed slightly. "Who is it?" he asked in a deep voice.

"They seem to be trying not to alert anyone, and they’ve covered their tracks well. We’re not sure who they are yet."

"Keep an eye on them. Find out who’s behind this investigation." Ever since he learned about the connection between Alexander Sullivan and the Royce Family, he had been having people watch for anyone digging up information.

"Yes, sir."

He hung up.

Tristan Sterling fell into deep thought.

Just then, his phone vibrated again. He picked it up, his expression softening. "Melissa."

"Daddy, I’m sleeping with Mommy tonight. Is the present you said you were getting for Mommy ready? I’m coming to get it now to give it to her for you."