The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 92

Bianca immediately called Cillian Calder. "Cillian, who ordered you to issue that statement?"

Cillian rubbed his temples and took off his glasses. "It came directly from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology."

Bianca was genuinely surprised. "Not Mathis?"

Cillian had suspected Mathis as well. If it were him, all he had to do was call the executive office in his capacity as a board member, and the statement would have gone out just the same.

"I'm not entirely sure who's pulling the strings, but whoever is behind this has serious leverage. I don't know if they're a friend or a foe, so just be careful."

"I will."

"What are you planning to do about Hugo Yates?" Cillian asked.

"I haven't had the time to deal with him yet," Bianca replied. "I've got someone keeping an eye on him, and he's been surprisingly well-behaved. I intentionally left a loophole for him in the Fiyato deal, but he didn't take the bait. I guess I'm a terrible hunter. My prey won't even step into the trap."

Hearing her joke told Cillian she was in better spirits.

"Hugo is hiding in the shadows right now. He knows better than to make a move when tensions are this high. Taking him down is going to require a long-term strategy. But securing the Fiyato contract means you've officially solidified your position at the branch. I doubt Mathis will waste any more energy trying to mess with your career."

"He's here in Austin City. He almost dragged me away by force last night. Thank God Milo came back for me."

Just thinking about the altercation made Bianca's stomach knot. If Milo hadn't turned his car around, she shuddered to think what would have happened.

Cillian bolted upright in his chair. "What exactly is his endgame?"

Bianca let out a bitter laugh. "He probably still views me as his property. He can't stand the fact that I'm no longer jumping at his every command. But don't worry, Milo assigned a few bodyguards to me." She found the absurdity of it all somewhat amusing. "A corporate drone like me walking around with a security detail... My husband really is a thoughtful guy, isn't he?"

Not knowing how to comfort her, Cillian smoothly changed the subject. "Professor Adler reached out. He's recommending you for a guest lecture series at Kingsbridge University - Austin Campus. Four major classes a semester. You can start once your schedule clears up."

Taking a deep breath, she picked up her phone to call Milo. Before she could dial, an incoming call from the Patent Office flashed on the screen.

"Ms. Baldwin, your MH1102 Patent has been officially flagged for source code plagiarism by a named whistleblower. We require your full cooperation in the investigation."

Bianca's chest tightened. She had filed that patent five months ago, combining Mathis's name and birthdate.

Back then, her entire world had revolved around him. His illness had been on the verge of a full remission.

He had personally promised her, *"Bianca, once I'm healthy, I'll give you the wedding and honeymoon you deserve."*

She never got her wedding or her honeymoon. She got the revelation of a love child instead.

Forcing her emotions down, Bianca asked, "If the whistleblower used their real name, am I allowed to know who it is?"