Mag-log in(Celeste Morettiâs POV) The door opened and Vincenzo stepped out in a charcoal suit that looked like it had been tailored to perfection for his frame. There was something about the way he carried himself that always made it seem like the world adjusted slightly to accommodate him. He lifted his gaze at the exact moment mine met his. A brief silence stretched between us. Then the corner of his mouth curved. âDid you bribe my assistant to get my personal schedule, Dr. Moretti?â My face warmed before I could stop it. âI was invited,â I replied evenly. âBy my mentor, Professor Walsh, whom I have known for seven years. This has nothing to do with you.â âOf course.â He did not sound convinced. If anything, he sounded amused in a way that made it worse. I walked past him and pressed the doorbell. Professor Walsh opened the door himself with a broad smile that immediately softened my tension. Mrs. Walsh appeared behind him and pulled me into a warm hug that smelled faintly of rosema
Chapter 36: Public Humiliation-2 Lorenzoâs mouth opened, then closed again, unable to find words. Professor Lewis allowed himself a small, dry smile. âAs for Professor Walsh, he will come to you eventually. Not because of sentiment, but because Celeste Moretti is the only person alive who can fully implement his algorithmic models. You did not just hire a researcher, Lorenzo. You acquired the key to two of the most significant intellectual vaults in biomedical science. Try not to waste it.â The elevator arrived, and he stepped inside without another glance. The doors slid shut, leaving Lorenzo standing alone in the corridor. He remained there for several seconds, absorbing the weight of what he had just been told. Then he turned, walked back into the Vitale Group International R&D lab, and pulled up the internal project system. Without hesitation, he reassigned the lead position of their most critical development program to my name.Celeste's POV When the notification reach
Celeste's POV Warmth flooded my chest as I looked at Professor Lewis with quiet gratitude. Without him, I would never have found the courage to face this moment. Professor Enrico turned to me, and the anger in his eyes had faded into something deeper, something that ached. âI was not just angry that you left, Celeste,â he said, his voice rough. âI was angry because you took the brightest mind I have ever taught and let a mediocre man bury it. Do not waste your gift again.â My eyes burned, but I forced the tears back. âI will not, Professor. I am going to take back everything that belongs to me. With interest.â âCeleste has always been your weakness,â Lewis said gently. Then his tone shifted into something more practical. âStill, to be fair, Vitale Group International has the best laboratories in the world right now. The resources she has access to there are beyond what we can offer.â Enrico sighed, the last of his resistance slipping away. âI will not speak from anger anymore. V
Celeste's POV I was naive, I said, my voice steady. I thought it was love. In reality, I was just a replacement for another woman in Stefano Contiâs heart. Lewis frowned, his expression tightening. âAnd the child? Your daughter?â Bianca stays with them, I said. The words tasted bitter, but I forced them out. I will not fight for custody right now. Lewis looked genuinely surprised. âWhy?â Because she has been thoroughly poisoned by Stefano and Tiziana, I explained, my tone turning cold and controlled. She hates me. She sees me as the enemy. And right now, I do not have the power or resources to fight the Conti legal team. I set the coffee cup down carefully. I cannot save someone who does not want to be saved, not even my own daughter. Not yet. When I am strong enough, when I have real power, I will take her back. But for now, I choose myself. Lewis nodded slowly, approval settling in his eyes. âGood. Your priorities are clear.â He leaned back in his chair. A few days ago, Aet
âI tried to recruit her for my doctoral program years ago,â Lewis muttered. âI heard she got married and left science to work at her husbandâs company. I did not expect to see her here. Lorenzo waved Celeste Moretti over. She stepped out of the sterile zone, removing her mask, her eyes widening when she recognized the visitor. âProfessor Lewis,â she said respectfully. âCeleste,â Lewis replied, his tone half-scolding. âYou vanished. I thought you had forgotten us old men and science altogether.â Celeste did not lower her gaze. She met his eyes with a calm, self-aware confidence. âI did not forget, Professor. I just took a long educational detour. Consider it a field trip through lifeâs mistakes. But I am back now, and I am more focused than ever.â Vincenzo raised a brow, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. As they moved deeper into the lab, whispers spread among the researchers. Many were stunned that the new recruit had direct ties to a figure like Professor Lewis.
Chasing a woman. No shame about it whatsoever.Sebastian turned up his collar and walked to his own car.Author's POV The VIP lounge of the private club was dim and heavy with bass. Stefano Conti sat alone at the corner table, a row of empty glasses pushed aside, a fresh one still in his hand.His friends had tried to speak to him but had given up an hour earlier, drifting away to the other side of the room and leaving him alone with his silence.Tiziana walked in and spotted him immediately.She crossed the floor, reached down, and pulled the glass from his hand.He looked up, his eyes unfocused.The others noticed the tension and quietly filtered out, leaving the booth to the two of them alone."You lost," she said."Donât.""You withdrew the defense yourself," she said, sitting across from him. "Was it for her?""I said donât."Tiziana studied his face under the low light, then moved closer, sliding beside him and resting a hand on his arm."Stefano," her voice lowered. "Just let







