Chapter 5 They Look Down on Her

A crisp slap rang out, and everyone present froze.

Arthur was the first to snap out of it, rushing forward to check Jennifer's face.

A clear handprint appeared on her fair skin. Arthur's heart ached.

"Beatrice, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Teaching her some manners. Just because she's been a mistress for so long doesn't mean everyone else is one too."

Beatrice could tolerate Jennifer's humiliation toward her all these years, but insulting her friend? No way!

Jennifer trembled with anger. "Beatrice, we're both women. How can you say that about me?"

In relationships, the one who isn't loved is the real mistress.

Beatrice was the third party!

Beatrice was about to fire back when Sloane used her small body to shield Jennifer protectively.

"Bad mommy, don't you bully Jennifer!"

The way Sloane looked at her like an enemy sent a sharp pain through Beatrice's chest.

She swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. No matter what she said, her husband and daughter would always side with Jennifer.

"Henry, let's go."

Seeing Beatrice leave with another man right in front of him, Arthur's face darkened. He blocked her path again. "Didn't you hear what I said?"

Henry stepped in front of Beatrice. "Mr. Capulet, watch yourself."

Arthur was about to say something when Jennifer caught up. "Arthur, didn't you say you'd take Sloane and me to dinner?"

Henry let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Capulet, you should deal with your own personal problems first. Beatrice's affairs are none of your business."

As tension mounted between the two men, Beatrice couldn't help but urge Henry, "Let's go."

Orion Global Research Institute had sent a message about a project that needed to be completed soon. She had no interest in getting tangled up with Arthur and Jennifer.

The dinner that had been full of anticipation found Arthur somewhat distracted.

Guessing he was thinking about Beatrice, Jennifer swallowed her hurt and said softly, "Arthur, did you bring Sloane to Regal City to see me?"

Arthur came back to his senses. "I came to Regal City for a company collaboration project. Tomorrow I need to visit Orion Global Research Institute."

Jennifer's eyes lit up with delight. "Can I come with you? You know how much I love chemistry."

Jennifer considered herself quite talented in chemistry. Orion Global Research Institute had once been her dream, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't even meet their minimum requirements.

Arthur understood her regret. After hesitating, he agreed.

Sloane looked at Jennifer with admiration. "Jennifer is so amazing, not like my mom who doesn't know anything."

This made Jennifer laugh. "Sloane, you can't say things like that, or your mom will get angry and hit me again."

This made both Arthur and Sloane feel guilty and sorry. Arthur took her hand and promised, "That will never happen again. I'll definitely protect you and Sloane."

"I'll protect you too. If anyone dares to hurt you again, even if it's my mom, I'll beat her up for you!"

The next day, Arthur brought Beatrice and Sloane to Orion Global Research Institute.

As soon as they entered the main lab, the three of them spotted a familiar figure.

Beatrice had completely changed from her usual casual look. She wore a white lab coat and protective goggles, giving off an intelligent, professional vibe that was totally different from before.

Several researchers gathered around Beatrice, discussing the latest experimental data. Completely focused, Beatrice didn't notice Arthur and the others.

"Dad, is that Mom?"

Sloane stared in disbelief, but quickly convinced herself she was mistaken.

Beatrice was just a nagging housewife. Only Jennifer could be this impressive.

Arthur said nothing. Even he couldn't make sense of what he was seeing.

Just then, Henry arrived. His gaze paused on Arthur's group before he walked over to Beatrice and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"You've worked hard."

Arthur's face instantly darkened, but Henry wasn't done yet. He leaned down and whispered something in Beatrice's ear, making her smile.

Watching this intimate scene, Arthur's face turned stormy.

Sloane was angry too. How could Beatrice get so close to a man other than Arthur!

How shameless could Beatrice be?

Beside them, Jennifer, noticing Arthur and Sloane's reactions, couldn't hold back anymore and mocked, "Beatrice, you're really something. Found yourself a powerful man who can sneak you into a place like this."

Jennifer had been wondering how Beatrice could possibly qualify to enter such a place.

When she saw Henry, everything made sense.

How ridiculous of Henry to bring outsiders into such an important place.

Seeing Arthur and the other two, Beatrice was taken aback.

Arthur's company had a project collaborating with the institute recently, so his presence wasn't surprising. What she hadn't expected was that Arthur would bring Jennifer.

In the past, no matter the occasion, Arthur never let Beatrice accompany him.

He'd even warned her more than once not to appear in public as Mrs. Capulet.

Yet he'd easily brought Jennifer to the research institute.

Beatrice didn't want to deal with them, but Henry couldn't stand it. "Miss, Beatrice is an important member of our institute. If you keep talking nonsense, we'll have to ask you to leave."

Jennifer couldn't help but laugh, then suddenly asked Sloane, "Sloane, do you think your mom is a researcher here?"

Sloane shook her head. "I don't believe it."

Beatrice couldn't possibly be this impressive. It would make more sense if it were Jennifer.

Arthur didn't believe it either. He didn't bother with pleasantries, looking coldly at Henry. "As your collaborator, I think we have the right to question your institute's professionalism. If you don't make her leave, we'll file a complaint. You wouldn't want Orion Global Research Institute's reputation damaged because of some irrelevant person, would you?"

Beatrice couldn't take it anymore. "What gives you the right to question me?"

"Because I know you."

Looking at Beatrice standing next to Henry, Arthur felt an inexplicable anger rising. "All you know is gardening and cooking. What do you know about chemistry? If Orion Global Research Institute really needs people, Jennifer here would be a much better choice."

Beatrice laughed in disbelief.

Before, she'd only thought Arthur and Sloane didn't like her. She never imagined they looked down on her this much.

In their eyes, she was worthless, while Jennifer could do anything.

Jennifer's sense of superiority was barely concealed now.

Not getting into Orion Global Research Institute back then had indeed been her regret, but at least Arthur understood her.

Her passion for chemistry was something Beatrice would never understand.

Just as Jennifer was secretly feeling sorry for herself while thinking how Beatrice had only gotten into the institute by seducing men, a researcher rushed in excitedly from outside.

"The experimental approach Ms. York provided worked! These are the best results we've achieved so far."

This was no small breakthrough. Cheers erupted throughout the lab.

Beatrice was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected that after setting this aside for so long, she'd actually caught up with the progress.

Henry smiled. "Beatrice, you truly are the former genius of the chemistry world. Even after being held back for years, you've returned at your peak."

"Only Ms. York deserves to be in our institute. As for certain mistresses who got into our institute by latching onto men, dream on."

The mocking voice snapped Jennifer out of her shock, and she couldn't help but tremble with shame.

Arthur stepped forward with a cold expression. "Beatrice, what exactly is going on?"

What else was Beatrice hiding from him?

Beatrice ignored him. "This success is thanks to everyone's hard work. Dinner's on me today."