What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 10

Time flew by, and soon it was nine-thirty. After giving her daughter a bath and practicing English with her for a while, Kaia tucked her into bed. Then she went to her study to deal with some urgent work before finally returning to her bedroom.

As she passed the guest room, she subconsciously glanced at her phone. It was already eleven o'clock.

The next afternoon, a notice was issued at the company.

It stated: After comprehensive consideration by company management, it has been decided that Dr. Noelle Lawrence will continue to lead the latter stages of the "Vitality & Calm Formula Improvement" project. Dr. Kaia Chavez, needing to focus on the review of the "Project Stargazer Phase III," will no longer participate in the project's execution.

This was the decision from the higher-ups, communicated by the Vice President of R&D.

The news spread like ripples in a pond.

Everyone understood the unspoken message. Noelle was practically a daughter of the Sanders family, while Kaia was just a wife they had brought in. Between family and an outsider, it was obvious who was the more suitable choice.

Kaia endured the looks of pity, scrutiny, and contempt. She let out a soft sigh and replied to the VP of R&D, accepting the arrangement.

Around three in the afternoon, a figure appeared outside her office.

A woman in a tasteful and elegant cream-colored suit, her face still showing a hint of pallor from a recent illness. It was Noelle, who had been absent for days.

She walked down the orderly corridor, accepting polite greetings from her colleagues.

As she passed Kaia's office area, she paused for an almost imperceptible moment.

Her gaze never shifted, but her posture had returned to its usual distant yet gentle state.

Kaia had noticed the figure passing by her door, but she didn't look up.

After Noelle was gone, Kaia picked up the calming herbal tea on her desk and took a sip.

The faint sweetness did nothing to wash away the sudden, acrid taste of betrayal.

With a single project decision, Finnian had given her a resounding answer.

"Kaia," he began, his low voice carrying a business-like indifference. "Noelle will continue to be in charge of the 'Vitality & Calm' project."

"This matter is now closed."

Kaia's gaze remained fixed, though her breath hitched for a fraction of a second as she waited for him to continue.

Finnian stood up. His tall, handsome figure moved past her. He stood before the window with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the concrete jungle below.

"I know you feel wronged, that you think it's unfair. But many things can't be judged by their surface appearance. Noelle... her emotional state is very unstable right now. And Grandmother intends to have her move abroad. For a woman who sees the Sanders family as her only home, her only emotional anchor, a little less pressure would be better for everyone."

He paused and turned to observe Kaia's reaction.

Kaia remained silent, though her eyes had, at some point, taken on a slightly lost look.

"My brother just passed away. There's a shift in stock ownership. During this sensitive period, we need internal stability more than ever," Finnian's voice grew a bit heavier. "You and Noelle, one is my wife, the other my sister-in-law. Any friction between you two will only tarnish the Sanders name. You know as well as I do that Grandmother prizes family harmony above all else."