I scheduled a meeting with the CEO of that company to go over the details.

I had assumed I'd be meeting someone middle-aged, but when I arrived, I realized he was about my age.

His name was Bryce Hoult. He was dressed in a crisp, dark suit, had deep-set features, and a composed, distant air.

As we talked, I learned that although he had inherited the family business, he wasn't the type to coast on it. He had a sharp mind for business and a clear understanding of what he was doing.

More importantly, he showed genuine respect for my project.

"If you're willing to join us, the project will be entirely under your control. Funding, equipment, facilities, and everything else will be provided with no strings attached. The patent and all research results will also belong to you."

Bryce's offer was straightforward and sincere.

I felt genuinely grateful, so I agreed.

The onboarding process went smoothly. I rented an apartment near the company, transferred over all my backed-up core data, and threw myself back into research.

My life returned to its old routine, moving between home, the lab, and the office. But this time, without financial pressure, I didn't have to rush progress just to meet IPO deadlines.

During that time, Derek sent me several messages.

He seemed to think my disappearance was just a temporary standoff, and he even sounded like he was trying to appease me.

"I'm still saving the project lead position for you. Don't worry."

"The IPO approval's gone through, so you can slow down your research. You don't have to push yourself so hard."

"I found the same perfume. I left it in your room."

"Once you've had enough rest, come back. We still need you for the post-IPO review process and the project."

I ignored every single message.

Maybe it was because I had been gone too long, or maybe the company had reached a critical stage in the IPO process, but Derek finally started to panic.

He called my former colleagues to ask where I was. Not knowing the situation, one of them casually replied, "Kathy's been working in the lab."

Derek rushed over. When he saw me, he visibly relaxed.

"So you've been working on research this whole time. I knew you wouldn't just walk away."

Jocelyn followed closely behind him as always. He nudged her forward.

"I brought her here to apologize to you," he said. "Calm down and come back already. There's still a lot to handle."

Jocelyn stepped forward, took my hand, and looked at me with sincerity written all over her face. "I'm sorry, Kathy. I didn't mean to break your perfume. Please don't be mad. Come back with us."

They had never been to the lab, so my colleagues looked confused when they saw them.

"Kathy, who are they?"

Before I could answer, Derek suddenly raised his voice and announced, "I'm Kathy's boyfriend of seven years, and the boss behind your collaboration project. There's no need to be nervous. We're all on the same side."

Everyone's expression shifted into something complicated at his words.

Everyone here knew that the current project sponsor was Bryce, who frequently came to the lab to check on our progress and understand what the team needed.

This man in front of them, however, was a stranger.

I paused for a moment, not expecting him to announce our relationship like this, especially here at this moment.

However, it was too late.

I shook my head and said evenly, "We broke up. We're not together anymore."

Derek panicked the moment he heard that. He stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. "Don't take this too far. What do you mean we broke up? We've been together for seven years. Do you really think you can just walk away from that?"

The commotion quickly drew a crowd.

Coincidentally, Bryce had come to the lab today, and he walked over. "What's going on here?"

Derek froze when he saw him, then quickly put on a flattering smile.

"Mr. Hoult, what a coincidence. Thanks to your support, our company is already moving through the IPO process.

"The review team has been pushing us pretty hard lately, and my girlfriend's throwing a tantrum and refusing to come back to work. I came to take her home."

Bryce frowned as he looked at me. "Is he your boyfriend?"

I shook my head. "We broke up a long time ago."

"Kathy, you—"

Bryce cut him off, and his expression turned serious. "Mr. Calloway, watch your words. Ms. Montgomery has already signed a formal contract with our company. She is now our employee.

"You have no authority to interfere with her decisions or dictate where she should go, and you certainly have no right to demand anything from her.

"As for the project we're currently working on, the core patent for this new drug is registered under Ms. Montgomery's personal name. I assume you're aware of that."

Derek froze where he stood. It took him a long moment before he managed to react.

"What did you just say?"