Chapter 1

My fiancé stole my invitation to the international academic conference. He did it just to give his little side-chick a chance to get famous in the science world.

When I confronted him, he acted like it was no big deal.

"You have already been to so many of these things. Just give Macy a chance to shine."

I announced my resignation from the research group on the spot. I applied for a lab overseas.

He froze, trying to stop me. "Your research is almost done! It would be such a waste to quit now!"

That academic gold-digger couldn't sit still either.

"This high-temperature nanomaterial project is a state-funded priority. You are being so irresponsible!"

I just looked at them and their pathetic acting.

They didn't know that my research was already finished. I had already filed for the patents.

In my bag, I had several invitation letters from the most prestigious labs in the world.

But right now, I didn't plan on telling them.

I wanted to see how they would finish the job without me there for them to bleed dry.

1.

"Macy is young, but that doesn't mean she lacks talent. You shouldn't let your jealousy get in the way..."

I looked at my fiancé, Gavin Miller, with a cold stare.

He was the man I had stood by for five years. We had pulled all-nighters in the lab and fought through every research bottleneck together.

I never imagined he would go this far for a girl like Macy Thorne, whom he had only known for six months.

"Jealousy?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I fought to keep my composure.

His eyes flickered with guilt for a split second. "You've attended plenty of conferences. Give Macy this opportunity. She needs it to grow her career."

Before I could even speak, Macy stepped forward. She put on a perfectly timed expression of guilt and sorrow.

"Sutton, I know how hard you worked on this project. You put in way more than I did... I just wanted a chance to learn..."

"Do you want me to tell everyone exactly how you got the core data for this paper?" I asked.

The room went silent instantly. Macy's face turned pale, but Gavin immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her.

"Are you still bitter that Macy didn't let you be the lead author?" Gavin snapped.

"If you want to stay on this team, you need to apologize to Macy. Otherwise―"

I laughed coldly. "Otherwise what?"

He sighed, sounding like he was the one being reasonable. He grabbed my wrist and lowered his voice, trying to sound soothing.

"Look, we're getting married next month. Just consider this a favor for Macy. It'll give you time to focus on the wedding instead of these trivial work details, okay?"

I froze. I couldn't believe he was using our marriage as a bargaining chip.

For a moment, I was speechless. All I felt was a deep, soul-crushing disappointment.

Our colleagues were whispering around us, watching the drama unfold like a reality show.

One was playing the innocent victim, the other was acting like a noble protector. Their mocking stares felt like knives.

I took a deep breath and looked Gavin in the eye. "Fine. I'm out."

"What do you mean? Out of what?" He grabbed me again, looking panicked.

I shoved his hand off me. "I am quitting the research team."

"And the wedding is off. We're done, Gavin."

He stood there stunned. His confusion quickly turned into anger and then a smug sneer. "How long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum over such a small thing?"

Macy couldn't keep her mouth shut either.

"This nanomaterial project is a huge deal, Sutton! You're being so unprofessional!"

A colleague nearby whispered, "Who cares? We have Macy. If Sutton wants to leave, let her."

"Exactly. Does she really think the lab will fail without her?"

I walked straight to the HR department and signed my resignation. I didn't look back once.