Chapter 4

Mia's unusual calmness irritated Mark for reasons he couldn't explain.

He decided to get straight to the point.

"Sienna has nowhere to go right now. I'm planning to bring her into the research institute as my assistant."

The words pierced straight through the most vulnerable part of Mia's heart.

She had asked him so many times if she could join the institute as his assistant.

She hadn't wanted anything more than to be closer to him and take care of him herself.

But every single time, he had rejected her without hesitation.

"You're not suited for it."

Sienna wasn't nearly as qualified as Mia, yet she was being handed the position Mia had once begged for.

Mia gave a faint smile.

"She's your assistant. You can make your own arrangements. You don't need to ask me."

After all, they wouldn't have anything to do with each other soon.

After leaving the hospital, Mia stopped asking about Mark altogether.

She had already discussed her plans with her father.

Once the divorce was finalized, she would move to the capital and take over the Sterling Corporation branch there.

To help her familiarize herself with the business ahead of time, her father put her in charge of one of the company's core technology projects, including its upcoming product launch.

Mia stopped paying attention to Mark.

But news alerts about him and Sienna kept appearing on her phone.

'Mark Hayes attended major business dinners with Sienna Lane.'

'Mark publicly praised Sienna at an international summit.'

'Mark introduced Sienna to some of the most influential figures in their field.'

In the past, even seeing Mark in the same photo as another woman would have sent Mia into a panic.

She would have immediately gone looking for him and demanded to know what their relationship was.

Now, she simply swiped the notifications away and went back to reading her files.

The product launch was held that morning.

Reporters packed the venue.

Dressed in a sharp business suit, Mia stood onstage and confidently presented the company's core technology.

Thunderous applause filled the room.

But after the launch ended, Mia had barely settled into the backstage lounge when the door suddenly flew open.

She looked up.

Mark walked in with Sienna beside him.

His expression was cold.

And it grew even colder when his eyes landed on Mia.

"Mia.

"Explain this."

Before she could respond, Mark slapped a project report onto the table.

Mia opened it.

The color immediately drained from her face.

The technology described in the report was identical to the core technology Sterling Corporation had just unveiled.

But the name on the report was Sienna Lane.

"Mark, I didn't know anything about this.

"The technology was developed by our company's R&D team. I was only responsible for overseeing the project and handling today's launch."

Mark went silent for a moment.

Then a cold laugh escaped him.

"Only Sienna and I knew about this research.

"And you're the only person who had the opportunity to see it through me.

"So tell me, Mia.

"How am I supposed to believe you had nothing to do with this?"

Mia fell silent.

Her clenched fingers loosened, then tightened again.

Several times, she tried to think of an explanation.

Nothing came.

Before she could speak, Sienna covered her face and began quietly sobbing.

"Mark, please don't blame Mia.

"It's my fault.

"I know my family wronged her.

"I'm fine. If Mia likes the research that much, she can have it.

"Consider it a gift from me."

Her tearful words snapped the last thread of Mark's restraint.

His gaze turned even colder.

For the first time, barely suppressed anger entered his voice.

"You have two choices.

"Either make a public apology and admit you plagiarized Sienna's work,

"or I'll deal with this my own way."

Mia curled her fingers tightly into her palms.

She drew a deep breath and shook her head, her voice hoarse.

"I didn't do it.

"And I'm not admitting to something I didn't do."

Mark's jaw tightened instantly.

"Fine."

That was all he said.

He didn't argue further.

He simply turned and left with Sienna.

By that afternoon, the internet had exploded.

'Chief Researcher Mark Hayes Accuses Wife of Plagiarism'

'Sterling Corporation Accused of Stealing Research'

'Research Institute Chief Publicly Defends Colleague'

Mark put his professional reputation behind a public statement.

Every word pointed directly at Mia, accusing her of knowingly stealing Sienna's research.

Public opinion turned against her almost instantly.

Sterling Corporation's stock price plummeted.

Mr. Sterling called Mia again and again, asking what was happening.

Mia suddenly felt exhausted.

"Dad, don't worry."

She closed her eyes for a moment.

"I'll go talk to Mark."