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Home / Romance Short Story / Seven Years Wasted: I Took the Core Tech and Walked Away / Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

All Chapters of Seven Years Wasted: I Took the Core Tech and Walked Away: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

7 Chapters

Chapter 1

Applause thundered through the room.Onstage, Jocelyn Grant looped her arm through Derek Calloway's, smiling sweetly."Thank you, Mr. Calloway, and thank you, everyone, for your support. I wouldn't be where I am today, and neither would the company, without all of you."Her words sounded modest, but the smug satisfaction in her eyes was impossible to hide. She repeatedly glanced at me on purpose. Her gaze was provocative.One of my colleagues, who was standing beside me, nudged my arm and lowered her voice. "Kathy, weren't you the one in charge of this project? Why is Mr. Calloway giving her all the credit?"I smiled a bitter smile as I shook my head. "If she wants it, she can have it."My colleague looked stunned. "But you spent two whole years on this! I remember you nearly collapsing in the lab more than once. How can you just let it go like that?"Indeed, it had been two years.I hadn't slept properly in all that time. I practically lived in the lab, constantly worrying ove

Chapter 2

I hadn't even left the company for long when Derek called. "Where are you? The celebratory dinner isn't even over yet. Stop throwing a tantrum and come back."My voice stayed even. "I told you, I quit. Let Jocelyn take over the project. And from now on, we're done. Don't bother me again."His tone instantly turned impatient. "Can you stop causing a scene? She's just a rookie. There's no way she can handle R&D."I let out a scoff. I was unable to hide the sarcasm in my tone as I said, "So, you're aware she can't handle it. Then, why did you have no qualms giving her all the credit for my work?""I already said I'd give you a promotion and a raise. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get every cent you deserve on your bonus."Even now, Derek still thought all I cared about was money.I didn't want to argue with someone like him. I simply hung up.I drove back to the home Derek and I shared. I didn't want to stay there any longer than necessary, so I started packing that same night.I

Chapter 3

I scheduled a meeting with the CEO of that company to go over the details.I had assumed I'd be meeting someone middle-aged, but when I arrived, I realized he was about my age.His name was Bryce Hoult. He was dressed in a crisp, dark suit, had deep-set features, and a composed, distant air.As we talked, I learned that although he had inherited the family business, he wasn't the type to coast on it. He had a sharp mind for business and a clear understanding of what he was doing.More importantly, he showed genuine respect for my project."If you're willing to join us, the project will be entirely under your control. Funding, equipment, facilities, and everything else will be provided with no strings attached. The patent and all research results will also belong to you."Bryce's offer was straightforward and sincere.I felt genuinely grateful, so I agreed.The onboarding process went smoothly. I rented an apartment near the company, transferred over all my backed-up core data,

Chapter 4

Derek's eyes widened in disbelief."How could she possibly leave for your company? She's my girlfriend. We've been together for seven years!"Bryce looked at him coldly. "Ms. Montgomery and I signed a contract a month ago. If you don't believe me, feel free to confirm it with your HR department."That was when Derek finally started to panic. He fumbled for his phone and called the HR department. His hands trembled as he dialed.The answer came quickly and clearly."Mr. Calloway, Ms. Montgomery submitted her resignation last month, and all procedures have already been completed."He stood there frozen, as if he'd just been struck by a bolt of lightning. His lips were moving, but no sound came out.Jocelyn was just as stunned. She instinctively tugged at his sleeve. Her voice was soft and uncertain. "Derek… what do we do now?""Shut up!"He shook her off and turned to me. His eyes were bloodshot."Kathy, how could you do this? We've been together for seven years. Seven years, a

Chapter 5

After Derek left, life seemed to fall back into place, but I knew the real challenge was only beginning.The new drug had entered its most critical clinical trial phase. Even the smallest discrepancy in the data could undo everything.I practically lived in the lab. During the day, I tracked the experiments. At night, I reviewed data and adjusted the protocols.Bryce kept his word. He gave me complete freedom and full access to resources.I didn't have to worry about funding, and I didn't have to compromise my work to satisfy investors. All I had to do was focus on the research itself.Even so, the intensity of the workload began to wear me down. The exhaustion I had built up over the years felt like a constant weight pressing on me.The discomfort in my stomach came more and more often, but I kept brushing it off with a couple of painkillers each time.Then, one night, I was the only person left in the lab.I was staring at the screen, going over data, when a sharp pain sudden

Chapter 6

From that day on, Bryce really did become my supervisor in the most literal sense.At first, I wasn't used to it. I had spent years handling everything on my own and forcing myself through whatever came my way.However, the way Bryce took care of me never felt suffocating or controlling. Instead, it was a subtle kind of concern.He made sure meals showed up on time every day, insisted I take a proper lunch break, and if I stayed too late at night, he would send me home without giving me a choice.Under his watch, my schedule slowly fell into a healthy rhythm. My stomach issues stopped flaring up, and even my complexion improved.More importantly, the research actually progressed faster in that environment.I no longer had to split my focus to deal with discomfort or push through exhaustion just to stay awake. My mind was clearer than it had ever been.The problems that had stalled me before began to resolve themselves one after another. Each day in the lab went more smoothly tha

Chapter 7

A month later, Derek's company was officially declared bankrupt.With the loss of their core assets, they couldn't pass the review. Their funding chain snapped, partners pulled out one after another, employees resigned in waves, and regulatory fines kept piling up.In the end, Derek went from a powerful CEO to someone who had nothing left to his name but debt.Meanwhile, Jocelyn had long disappeared.Apparently, the moment she learned the company was about to go under, she packed up and vanished without a trace.From the beginning, all she had ever wanted was Derek's money and status. There had never been any real affection.Before she left, she even took the last remaining liquid funds from the company's accounts.When Derek went to confront her, she turned it around on him. "You have the nerve to come after me? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have ended up like this!"Do you think I actually cared about you? No one wants a man who's willing to sell out his own girlfriend!"

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