It was lucky Seraphina had a good temper and didn't hold it against Raelynn.
Otherwise.
With Seraphina's online influence, Raelynn would have been cyberbullied into oblivion.
He might have genuinely felt love at first sight for Raelynn.
But now...
He would absolutely never be fooled by that woman again!
Returning to NexusMind, Raelynn threw herself into the lab to run pharmacological analyses.
She did everything she could to stop her mind from spiraling.
Now that a joint laboratory had been established with Kingsford University, she had to oversee the broader direction of the team. As the chief director, her responsibilities were massive.
She had to manage the drug formulation, the timeline, risk assessment, and coordinate clinical trials and registration.
It was enough to keep her so busy she had no time to let Sebastian ruin her mood.
Ever since she declined Sebastian's offer to spend the holidays with the Croix family in Southridge, he hadn't contacted her again.
Raelynn was constantly plotting how to get her grandmother's heirloom back.
As the holidays approached, major corporations started letting their employees off for the break.
Raelynn was originally planning to spend the holidays at Professor Finch's place.
Suddenly, Preston walked over and asked, "Would you mind taking a business trip over the break?"
Raelynn hesitated for a moment. "What for?"
"The most authoritative Traditional Medicine Herb Base in the country is holding a public auction for some rare medicinal herbs over the next few days. There are a few key ingredients we and Kingsford need, and the vintage is exceptional. We need to go check it out."
It perfectly coincided with the holiday.
Raelynn thought about it.
"Sure, but is the rest of the team willing to go?"
This time, Preston smirked. "How could they say no? Our billionaire sponsor came through. Sebastian is fully funding the trip—flights, a luxury hotel, meals, and a generous ten-thousand-dollar overtime bonus for every single person. Everyone is thrilled."
Raelynn instantly understood.
It was all to ensure Seraphina's first pharmaceutical project at Kingsford went smoothly.
He was really putting his back into it.
She shrugged. "Well, it saves our department some budget."
"You're taking this well," Preston sighed.
Raelynn joked seamlessly, "If I didn't take it well, I'd have jumped off the Croix Holdings tower by now just to crash their stock prices."
She was about to go downstairs and ask.
She opened the door.
"Lynnie, you just got here?" Matilda Croix appeared at the door, smiling brightly at her. Beside her stood Sebastian, his expression solemn and calm.
Raelynn instantly realized what was happening.
She stared straight at Sebastian.
Sebastian met her gaze without looking away.
Matilda stepped forward and took Raelynn's hand. "Are you settled in? It's getting late today. We'll have dinner together tomorrow. You two get some rest."
Matilda nudged Sebastian forward.
Sebastian remained unfazed. "Alright, whatever you say, Grandma."
Matilda walked away, beaming.
Sebastian bypassed Raelynn and smoothly stepped into her room, acting as if nothing was wrong at all.
Raelynn finally understood completely. She had been outplayed.
"Did you trick me into coming here?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...