Tonight Her Love Ended novel Chapter 42

Tristan continued to stare at her. The lighting in the study was dim, making the deep emotions swirling in his eyes impossible to read.

Nova couldn't understand him, but today, her heart was completely dead. She no longer had the energy to guess his moods or preferences. She simply asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Tristan's gaze darkened. "Ms. Clarke, starting today, you have a one-month deadline. You will personally oversee this collaboration."

He pushed the file he had been reading toward her.

One glance, and Nova saw it was the proposed partnership with CN Dynamics.

He wanted her to convince her mentor and Samuel to let Yvette join CN Dynamics and take over Project Genesis—the very research project Nova had spearheaded years ago.

The pages were filled with dense lists of industry achievements, all falsely attributed to Yvette, along with fake records of her studying under scientific giants.

On the very last page, there was a contact number for her old work account.

Along with it were traces of information about her that he had managed to dig up.

'Aro. Female. Marital status: Confidential. Enrolled at Jeverburg University at fifteen. Developed a groundbreaking new algorithm at seventeen, causing a global sensation; placed under government protection and recruited to assist in aerospace and national defense. At eighteen, followed mentor Mathew Sherwin to an overseas research institute, developing a new software engineering protocol that revolutionized aerospace research. Returned to the country at twenty-one, co-founding CN Dynamics with Samuel Wyndham. At twenty-two, broke into a new field by using AI algorithms to create Project Genesis. Left CN Dynamics before its completion and vanished without a trace.'

Nova's heart hammered against her ribs.

While the details were vague, this information was highly classified—some of it protected by top-tier government clearance. Yet, Tristan had somehow managed to uncover it.

Either his reach was truly boundless, or he had significant connections within the government.

No wonder he hadn't agreed to let Yvette use her as a stepping stone to get to Professor Mathew. The stakes weren't high enough. Yvette had bigger ambitions than just being the professor's student. She wanted to enter CN Dynamics and take charge of their core project.

Seeing how desperately Tristan was trying to elevate Yvette, Nova suddenly found it hilarious.

Piece by piece, he was shattering every illusion she ever held about him.

He truly loved Yvette. He loved her to his very bones.

Nova placed the file down. "I'm not doing it."

So, "I refused him right then and there... Samuel, do you think I'm being too harsh? What if Yvette actually has the capability—"

Samuel cut her off. "Yvette is twenty-five! She's older than you. If she had the talent, she wouldn't need to steal your work! If she actually took charge of the project and failed, they'd just blame the original creator—which is you—for leaving flaws. If she succeeds, she takes all the glory."

"Tristan and Yvette really are a match made in heaven. Equally ambitious, equally ruthless in achieving their goals! But Nova, what are you going to do..."

"Right? You think they're a perfect match too..." Nova let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh, glancing down at the leave application in her hand.

"I'm going to take maternity leave. According to my employment contract, Forrester Group can't fire me, and I won't have to go into the office anymore. Samuel, I won't officially sign with your company, but I can work on the project as an independent contractor. That way, I'm not breaking any laws, and no one can find a loophole."

If Tristan could exploit the rules, so could she.

She was a pregnant woman, after all!

Nova walked up to the CEO's office. Just as she was about to knock, a familiar voice drifted from inside.