From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 109

Standing at six-foot-two, he was thirty years old, with long legs, blond hair, blue eyes, and classic Western features.

Colton Witt.

Lydia pulled her hand back and turned to walk to another food station.

Colton shot out a long arm, blocking her path.

"Chloe, two years and your temper hasn't improved at all."

His perfect Mandarin softened the aggressive arrogance in his tone, but she knew that deep down, he looked down on her entirely.

Lydia glared at him coldly, refusing to speak.

"The institute sent me to Averton for this conference, and one of my main objectives is to bring you back," Colton said, softening his voice when he saw her hardened expression. "I was planning to reach out after the event, but I didn't expect to run into you so soon."

"Bring me back?"

She sneered. "I'm not one of your dispatched employees. I have absolutely nothing to do with the Zener Institute anymore."

"Invite," Colton corrected, stepping closer. "I am officially representing the Zener Institute to invite you back to your position. Not only that, but the board is planning to appoint you as one of the Chief Engineers."

The Zener Institute was a world-renowned powerhouse. The smallest low-nanometer chip in existence had been developed by them, and they housed the absolute best scientists in the world.

Two years ago, while still in university, her completely groundbreaking approach to Quantum Tunneling Tech had caught their attention, and she had been invited into the very halls she had always dreamed of.

She had been twenty years old, naively believing she would learn incredible things, be valued, and maybe even make a global name for herself so her mother could be proud.

But...

"I'm not interested!" Lydia pushed past Colton and strode out of the exhibition hall.

Colton chased after her with long strides, cutting her off again.

"Chloe, I know you're completely underappreciated here. I fully expected to see your name on the host country's roster for this conference."

"They don't know how to value true talent, but Zener does."

"If you want to secure your place in the scientific world, Zener is your best and only choice."

"Go back so you can exploit me all over again?" She laughed coldly. "Dr. Witt, you know better than anyone how much of the glory you're currently wearing actually belongs to me."

"That will never happen again. The board has already drafted the contract. All you have to do is say yes, and they will immediately establish a new research branch under your name. You'll be in total control," Colton said with absolute certainty. "I can even step down to be your assistant. You'll give the orders!"

Lydia froze, staring up at him.

The man who had once trampled her underfoot was now bowing his head to her!

She thought about her stolen patents, about how she was permanently relegated to the assistant column on every publication.

She clenched her fists, a fire igniting in her chest.

Suddenly, a faint chiming sound reached her ears.

She turned her head and saw the beaded curtain of a nearby corridor swaying in the breeze.

Behind the beads was the retreating silhouette of a man, his back radiating cold detachment.

Her gaze shifted, catching Wesley's frantic expression nearby.

He pointed toward Xavier. "Ms. Sterling, the boss is angry."

Panic flared in her chest. Had Xavier overheard Colton and assumed she was going to jump ship?

"Chloe..." Colton tried to continue his pitch, but Lydia ignored him, sprinting after Xavier.

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