When the Flame of Love Fades. Chapter 410 The Investor

Pearls

“Sierra? That name sounds familiar.” White furrowed his brow for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “You’re the one who developed the cure for the X blood virus, aren’t you?”

“Perfect. I’ve been wanting to find you.”

“I’d like to talk about a partnership.”

He sounded so direct that it was actually hard to be put off by it.

“I’m sorry, but the technology isn’t fully mature yet,” Sierra replied calmly. “We’re still in the testing and development stage.”

“Partnerships can come later.”

A polite, clear rejection.

But instead of being disappointed, White looked impressed. “Sierra, you’re remarkable. I’ve negotiated with people who take something worth two points and market it like it’s ten. You have something worth nine, but you only say it’s three.”

“If you ever do consider partnering with someone, please think of me.”

Just as he finished, a voice cut in. “Oh, give it a rest. Who do you think you are, expecting her to work with you?”

It was Mateo, pushing Johnathan’s wheelchair, and apparently arriving just in time to catch the last of the conversation.

White’s face immediately darkened when he saw him. “You. The rude one.”

The two men glared at each other with visible animosity.

Sierra looked puzzled. “You two know each other?”

She hadn’t been there for what happened after she left the café last time. But it was obvious these two didn't get along.

Mateo opened his mouth to explain, but White beat him to it. “Don’t talk to rude people, Mateo.”

“He’s not only rude, but stupid. Oh, and he can’t fight either.”

“Dammit!”

Mateo had tried to hold back, but that last jab was too much.

These two had been at odds since their very first meeting.

He was ready to throw hands again, but Johnathan reached out and stopped him. “Are you out of your mind? You know where we are today?”

Only then did Mateo calm down, turning away with a frustrated scoff.

Once the tension settled, Johnathan turned to White. White was already eyeing him, brows raised. “I remember you. You came to the station to pick them up.”

“Station?” Sierra asked in surprise. “What station?”

But before she could press further, Johnathan spoke coolly, “You have a good memory. If I recall correctly, you work in real estate and energy. What are you doing here?”

They hadn’t brushed that event under the rug. After it happened, the Commerce Department had reached out to Maddox to mediate. Johnathan’s team had thoroughly investigated White. They knew exactly why he was here.

“I’m here with a friend,” White replied casually. “I’ve invested in his biotech company.”

As he spoke, he looked over and waved someone over.

Johnathan followed his gaze. A man was walking toward them, his expression briefly startled when he recognized Sierra and Johnathan, but he quickly recovered with a smile.

“Mr. Yaeger, Ms. Sierra. Hello. I’m Greg, from Southpoint Biologies.”

Southpoint Biologies—one of the country’s leading biotech firms. Johnathan and Sierra had, of course, heard of it. Johnathan had even dealt with Mr. Fane, the company’s former head.

A few years ago, Mr. Fane had retired and passed the reins to his grandson. This man had to be him.

As Johnathan mentally connected the dots, he asked, “This is your friend?”

Greg nodded. “We studied abroad together. He came over for investment projects. He sees the potential in the local biotech scene, so he invested in our company. He’s now our second-largest shareholder.”

“I had no idea you knew White as well, Mr. Yaeger. If I’d known, we could’ve arranged a dinner.”

“Ha! That’s one dinner I’d rather skip,” Mateo muttered from the side.

Greg raised a brow at the sharp remark.

Southpoint Biologies was deeply rooted in the capital and naturally aware of the top elite circles. Mateo was a well-known figure in those circles, and Greg recognized him instantly.

Now hearing his sarcastic tone, he asked, “Did something happen?”

Before Mateo could respond, White jumped in. “Remember when I mentioned getting into a fight and ending up at the police station? I said I ran into a couple of lunatics. He was one of them. The other isn’t here today. This guy—Mr. Yaeger—came to pick them up.”

The moment he said it, the atmosphere shifted awkwardly.

Greg, in particular, looked especially uncomfortable.