Actually, there had always been signs of Mason Sinclair and Scarlett Sullivan’s affair.
Every time Scarlett called, Mason would step away to answer it.
At first, Bella Jefferson assumed they were discussing R&D secrets that were too sensitive to share, so she thought nothing of it.
Looking back now, it was obvious the two of them had hooked up behind her back a long time ago.
From a distance, Bella couldn’t hear what Mason was saying, but she could tell from his expression that something seemed to be wrong.
Having thrown up everything she ate and drank last night, and having skipped breakfast this morning, her stomach was completely empty.
She was genuinely hungry.
Unwilling to punish her own body, she picked up her spoon and ate her porridge, pondering how to get her medical book and R&D technology back.
Before she knew it, she had finished the entire bowl.
Just then, Mason hung up and walked toward her, unable to hide the anxiety on his face.
“Something came up at the company, so I have to go back.
Get some good rest.
Call me if you need anything.”
He snatched up his suit jacket, in a clear rush to leave.
But Bella called out to him.
“Mason Sinclair!”
Mason, eager to head out, grew visibly impatient when stopped.
“Can whatever it is wait until I get back?”
Bella knew that once he walked out that door, there was a high probability he wouldn’t return today.
She had to confirm certain things right now.
“Who is in charge of this research?” she asked.
“It’s Scarlett, along with a few senior technicians supporting her.”
Although she had expected this, Bella’s heart still felt a sharp sting.
Meridian Group’s R&D department was bursting with talent, and Scarlett was far from the most outstanding one.
Yet, Mason had handed such a crucial project entirely to her.
In the past, she never imagined Mason would cheat or deceive her, nor had she doubted his motives.
Now it was glaringly obvious—Mason was paving the way for Scarlett.
With the new technology in Scarlett’s hands, once the research was successfully concluded, all the credit would fall onto her shoulders.
That would be a disaster!
Perhaps afraid she would harp on the issue of the medical book, Mason took a few steps away before turning back.
“Rest well at home these next few days.
I’ll transfer some money to you later.
Get a few friends together, go shopping, and grab a nice meal.
I’m working overtime tonight, so don’t wait up.”
His phone was ringing incessantly in his pocket.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he hurried off.
Something must have happened on Scarlett’s end.
Otherwise, Mason wouldn’t have driven off in such a frantic rush; his car’s engine could be heard roaring even from a distance.
Though Scarlett appeared to have a mild temper, she was actually an incredibly high-profile woman who posted about everything on her feed.
Bella opened WhatsApp and took a look.
Sure enough, there was a new update.
She had been in a car accident.
Right then, a transfer notification popped up on WhatsApp.
A full six zeros.
Mason had always been exceptionally generous when it came to money.
Whenever he upset her, he would use this tactic to coax her.
Bella didn’t hesitate to accept it.
After all, if their sham marriage fell apart, she wouldn’t receive a dime in compensation.
She had poured five years of her life and energy into Mason and the Sinclair Family.
Even with a few more zeros added, it would still be nothing less than what she deserved!
Hailey Lynch called her right at that moment.
“Bella, I’m right outside your door.
Come out for a sec.”
A red Porsche Cayenne was parked outside the villa.
A woman dressed in casual attire leaned lazily against the car door.
Her hair was swept up entirely, exuding a sharp, mature aura.
Seeing Bella emerge, Hailey closed the distance in a few strides.
“The registry office is completely tight-lipped.
They refuse to disclose a single detail about your relationship with Mason,” Hailey began.
“I suspected Mason bought them off a long time ago, so I hired someone to hack into their information system.
“Just as expected, you and Mason don’t actually share a legal marriage.
As for whose identity he used to get the marriage certificate with you, the files are encrypted and are still being decoded.
I’ll let you know the second there’s an update.”
Bella smiled, deeply moved.
“Thank you, Hailey.
You’re so busy, yet you made a special trip here.”
Seeing her like this, Hailey knew she must have had a rough night.
She wanted to comfort her but worried about rubbing salt in the wound.
Swallowing the words on the tip of her tongue, she changed the subject instead.
“A big shot specifically asked to see you.
I just stopped by on my way back from the Bureau.”
“Who?”
“The head of Xavier Group, Adrian Xavier!”
Bella was jolted by the sudden memory of what the Xavier Family’s project manager had told her last night.
Everything suddenly clicked into place.
Hailey continued, “He’s at our research institute right now.
He told me that if you want to collaborate, you can go over and discuss it in person.”
Bella was caught off guard once again.
Her true identity had always been strictly confidential.
Even Mason believed she was just an ordinary medical student, completely unaware that she was actually the most prized final student of the nation’s top pharmacologist, Mr.
Xanor.
Back in college, she had participated in the vaccine R&D for several major viruses alongside Mr.
Xanor.
She had also assisted in several high-intensity clinical heart surgeries, earning a major national scientific and technological award for her contributions.
She never expected Adrian to know who she really was.
But she had no memory of ever meeting him.
Her knowledge of the man was entirely based on rumors and fragmented news from the outside world.
Even during the past six months of collaboration discussions, she had only interacted with the Xavier Family’s project manager.
She had never once laid eyes on Adrian himself.
Rumor had it that this heir of the Xavier Family had been separated from his family at a young age, only officially returning to his roots five years ago.
Since the Xavier Family had very few descendants, Adrian naturally became the sole heir to Xavier Group.
After taking over the family business, he firmly established his foothold in the corporate world using decisive, cutthroat methods.
In just a few short years, he propelled Xavier Group into the ranks of the world’s top 100 enterprises.
The background of this mysterious heir ultimately managed to pique Bella’s interest.
“I’ll go back with you,” she decided.
Forty minutes later, Bella arrived at the research institute.
As a highly valued national scientific research hub, the institute was a gathering place for brilliant minds from all over the world.
Originally, Mr.
Xanor was at the helm, leading the team in various medical research endeavors.
After his retirement, the institute was handed over to Bella.
When Bella eventually stepped away, Hailey took over to help manage the facility.
Being Mr.
Xanor’s most outstanding protégé, Bella possessed not only immense natural talent but also an extraordinary capacity for hard work.
Her involvement in those highly successful research projects had firmly paved the way to her acclaim.
For this reason, everyone at the institute held her in deep reverence.
Upon learning she was returning, a large group gathered eagerly at the entrance to welcome her back.
“Boss, you’re finally willing to visit!
We’ve all missed you to death.
You’re not allowed to leave again this time.
The institute needs you, and we need you too.”
Looking at their familiar faces, scenes of the countless hours she had spent researching within these walls flashed through her mind.
A lump formed in her throat as she offered a bittersweet smile.
“Okay.
I won’t leave.”
“There’ll be plenty of time to catch up later.
Let’s go see Adrian first.
His people are practically blowing up my phone,” Hailey said, shaking her phone in helpless exasperation.
The screen was currently lighting up with another call from Adrian’s assistant.
Because Hailey still had pending work, she led Bella to the VIP lounge before ducking back into the laboratory.
Bella stood at the door and gave it two casual raps.
KNOCK KNOCK.
“Come in.”
A deep, mellow voice rang out from within.
Bella’s hand, which was just about to drop to her side, froze rigidly in mid-air.
Was it her imagination?
Why did this voice sound so strangely familiar?
Filled with sudden apprehension, she slowly pushed the door open.
For some inexplicable reason, as the crack of the door widened, an unnamed wave of tension coiled around her heart, pressing down on her chest until she could barely catch her breath.
Soon enough, the figure inside came into view.
Bella’s pupils shrank to pinpricks, and her entire body stiffened in absolute shock!