Chapter 159: Leave
Rylie didn’t interrupt, swirling his drink slowly.
"But Lyle..." Ephyra smiled thinly. "He poured just enough capital back into it to stop it from collapsing entirely. Stripped it of unnecessary projects, cleaned up the financials, and secured a few key patents. He brought it back to life—just enough to make it stable, presentable... transferable."
She shrugged. "It’s still fragile. A single misstep and it collapses for good. But in the right hands—someone ambitious enough, someone with the resources—it could become more than what it ever was. Lyle left it in my care, said it was mine to deal with. But I don’t need it, Mr. Carver. I have my own software company to manage, and frankly, I don’t have the time to babysit a sinking pharmaceutical lab. Besides, I know nothing about it."
She leaned forward, her voice dropping just slightly. "But you... you have a reason to want it. Your little brother’s condition. The research you’ve been circling for years but couldn’t get close enough to touch because the old men kept it out of your reach."
Rylie’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.
"I’m offering you more than scraps," Ephyra finished, her lips curling in a quiet, knowing smile. "I’m offering you a chance to finally have what you’ve been after. All I ask in return is that you keep your family in line. Think about it."
She stood up, and Miles immediately stepped forward to help her into her coat. "I’ll be taking my leave now. I hope to hear your response soon."
She didn’t bother buttoning the coat—only wrapped the muffler loosely around her neck, picked up her bag, and turned toward the door.
Just as she reached it, she paused. Tilting her head slightly, her side profile caught the light.
"You might think I’m a fool for offering you this... all for a temporary reprieve from your family. But I have my reasons. I hope you won’t overthink it—just take the offer."
A faint smile ghosted her lips as she put on her sunglasses.
"Goodbye, Mr. Carver."