Chapter 22
I froze, a bitter smile forming on my lips. Dirmuese. Lasteady knew the answer but had asked anyway, mily humiliate myself.
When Melody finished introducing hegell, I didact hesitate. “Ms. Morgan, what do you think are the core challenges of international aerospar conulting? How would you handle conflicts between research priorities and commercial demando?”
My question went straight to the point, blunt and unforgiving Melody paused, then flashed a confident unile. “Having worked with Furopean spare agencies for five years, Lumbrstand that success tripuites balancing innovati with practical market applications”
She raised her gaze to meet mine, a hint of meaning in her eyes. I heard that Reed Aerospace has wn tremendously under varellent leadership I’m excited to contribute in that contumed growth
I fell silent. This was exactly what Telix wanted to hear someone who understand that Reed Aerospace win no longer about pure research, but about profit and market dominance.
When I returned to the present, Melody had already left.
The following day, the announcement came through company channels, Felix had made the decision himself, appointing Melody directly as Senior International Consultant with a substantial salary package and equity options. That very day, she was already accompanying him to investor meetings.
sright hand. But Melody? She only needed her history with him and
I was stored by the news. It had taken me live years to work my way up. perfect timing.
Telix’s
I felt a pang of bitterness twist in my empty heart
A week later. Felis finally returned from his East Coast investor tour. I prepared the quarterly reports and headed to him for review. I had been working on this high–stakes satellite project, worth nearly two billion, for over eighteen months, and only final approvals remained. Completing this project successfully was supposed to secure my promotion to Vice President of Research Operations. Perhaps, as people say, career success often. comes when romance falters.
As I passed the break room, I overheard some gossip and stopped.
Emilia’s indignant voice echoed, “Oh my god, did you guys hear? They say Melody is Mr. Reed’s former girlfriend!”
Another colleague chuckled, “Sounds like a reunion is in the works.”
“But isn’t Mr. Reed married?”
“Oh, it’s a typical business marriage, all for appearances. I heard from the investor meetings that M
“Tskisk, was that a business trip or a romantic getaway? And where does that leave Mrs. Reed..”
Mr. Reed even arranged private dinners just for her
Each word stabbed at my heart. I clutched the project folder tightly, my throat constricting as every breath brought a stab of pain. After a moment, I regained composure and carefully smoothed out the crumpled pages.
It’s fine. I had already decided on divorce; their actions no longer concerned me,
Calming myself. Theaded resolutely toward Felix’s office. Just as I raised my hand to knock the door opened from within. Melody stood in the doorway and smiled at me. There was something in that squile that made my heart sink
Slowly, I stepped into the office. Felix, head down, was busy reviewing financial projections, not even glancing up.
Without wasting words, I said quickly, “Mr. Reed, the Titan satellite project only needs final approval. If you could review it, I’ll need your signature.” | placed the documents on lus desk.
Felix finally looked up his eyes briefly scanning the papers, but he made no move to sign.
I was puzzled until his words struck me like a thunderclap
“Trom now on, Melody will be taking over this project. You’ll transfer all materials to her.”
Sib didntenneer directly, nity tohilmed, “Melody will handle all international effent reisimons for this project. You ll brand
jente injormiana fte boked up, signaling that I mild leave
He was taking away my hard work with explanation.
Arciniende anger marged within me “Why?! I’ve spent over a year in this project, pouring in countless hourst Why should Melody get it just berni the shoved up?”
Felix looked at me, surprised. It was the first time he had seen me so furious in our five years together. After a moment’s hesitation, he frowned and replied sternly, “1 know you’re ambitions. But this project respuites international relationships that you simply don’t have.”
His words strmk me like a knife to the heart, leaving me quechless with the pain………
Felix softened his tone diglily. “Melody’s commectina with Fanojimasi aerospace companies make her the logical choice to lead. Her family has relationships with the chairman of mu primary contractor.”
My eyes filled with tears, and my voice came out in a rush, “This project was nearly finished without her! Are you falling me there’s no bias here? You just want her to take the credul
“Drielle Felix’s face hardened.
I looked at him, my eyes brimming with defiance and hurt,
“You’re being emotional, Felix said coldly. “Even if you could complete this project technically, I question your suitability for serior management if you can’t separate business from personal feelings.” He added firmly, “This is a workplace, not a place for emotional outbursts”
The words felt like a chokehold around my heart, making it hard to breathe, Without another word, I turned and left.
As I walked away, the sense of injustice and frustration grew with every step. Eighteen months of hard work, countless late nights, endless technical reviews and client calls… only to be dismissed as “ambitiour and emotional‘
Walking further, nausea rose in my throat, Covering my mouth, I rushed to the restroom. But leaning over the sink, I found I couldn’t vomit, feeling stuck in a miserable state.
It took a while before I could straighten up, exhausted. My reflection in the mirror showed a face worn out and gaunt. Despite being pregnant, I had lost weight instead of gaining. I looked downright haggard.
I couldn’t continue like this. I needed to take care of myself for the baby’s sake. Just hold on, I told myself–once the baby is born, I’ll file for divorce….
With renewed determination, I returned to my desk. I soon saw Melody approaching with a confident strids, “Drielle, Mr. Reed asked me to coordinate the project handover.”
I placed the documents on the desk, my face remaining expressionless. “It’s all here. The technical specifications, client communications, timeline projections. Don’t contact me about it again.”
“Thank you. You did very thorough work,” Melody replied with an overly bright smile. “I’m sure I can build on this excellent foundation”
I took several deep breaths to suppress the resentiment brewing in my chest.
From that day on, I consciously distanced myself from Felix. Though we lived under the same roof, we hardly exchanged more than a few words each day. The cold atmosphere lasted for a full month
One day after work, as I waited for the elevator with Emilia, my friend glanced at her phone, surprised. “Drielle, they’re saying that the Titan project contracts were signed today and there’s a celebration dinner planned.”
My heart sank. “Really?”
I checked my phone, but there was no notification or message for me. I stared at it blankly, then let out a bitter laugh and put it away.
Emilia noticed and exclaimed in disbelief, “They didn’t invite you?” Seeing my silence, Emilia’s anger flared. “I can’t believe it. You worked tirelessly
melk No. Loneer Chasing Your Glow, I Became My Own Sun
on that project for over a year, and tot only is someone alan Taking the credit,
Just then, the elevator chimet open.
Inside, the elevator was packed with people, with Felix and Melody at the front. Emilia’s words echoed in the crowded space:not even invited to the celebration–what a lack of respect!”
Everyone exchanged glances, the atmosphere unbearably tense,
Melody was the first to break the silence, suniling as she spoke, Trielle, you’re pregnant and shouldn’t be staying so late anyway. Why don’t you head home and rest?” Her concerned tome sounded gemine, but the way she spoke to me in front of everyone made iny face turn pale,
Felix stepped forward as if to support me
1 steadied myself, stepping back to avoid him. “Thanks for the concern, but I leave e you to your celebration. I’ll be going.” I turned and walked away.
Felix watched my retreating figure, his expression darkening.
That night, we exchanged no words when Felix returned home.
The next day, as I was organizing project files, I heard a commotion outside the CEO’s office. Curious, I walked over and saw a crowd gathered around Felix and Melody, voices raised in dispute.
Standing beside Felix, 1 whispered, “What’s going on?”
Felix turned to me, about to answer, but was cut off by a woman at the front of the crowd, shouting angrily, “Another oversight? Mr. Reed, tell me, who’s responsible for quality control here your wife or your consuhant? She painted accusingly at both me and Melody.
Felix’s anger simmered as he turned to me. “It’s a technical error, but
Before he could finish, there was a loud “slap!”
A stinging slap landed across my face.
