What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 141

Kaia was taken aback for a moment before giving a faint nod.

"He suspects you're behind it?" Silas asked point-blank.

Kaia let out a bitter laugh. "You certainly know him well."

"Do you want to keep digging into his past with Noelle Lawrence?" Silas smiled. "I have plenty more where that came from."

Kaia stiffened, lowering her eyes. She was torn between wanting the closure of knowing and the bitter reluctance to face it.

"Why wouldn't I? I need to see it clearly so I can finally kill this last shred of hope and leave," Kaia said, her voice soft but resolute.

Silas spread his hands and shrugged. "But I'd hate to make you look at the whole ugly truth. I'm afraid it might be too much for you to handle."

Kaia closed her eyes, then opened them again. "I asked for this. I can handle all of it."

Silas let out a soft sigh and stood up. Slipping his hands into his pockets, he walked over and looked down at her troubled face. "He questions you because he's biased toward Noelle. But I probably know better than he does exactly the kind of person you are."

Kaia listened quietly, looking up into Silas's deep, dark eyes, seemingly caught off guard by his words.

"You'd spend twenty-four hours a day buried in the lab and project proposals if you could. What do those ordinary people know? They just want to turn cheap, unmentionable affairs into grand conspiracies. It's ridiculous."

A faint smile touched Kaia's lips, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. "You're right. The truth will speak for itself. It doesn't matter what they think, and I don't have the time to waste trying to prove my innocence."

Silas looked at her, suddenly feeling an inexplicable wave of frustration. "It might not matter to you, but for a woman, a pristine reputation is sometimes valued more by outsiders than actual competence."

Kaia's heart skipped a beat.

"Alright, don't let these trivial things distract you," Silas said. "Next month is the conglomerate's semi-annual strategy summit. You're holding three top-tier projects for the Vanguard division. From now on, you'll be solely responsible for cross-departmental coordination and technical oversight within the group. You're going to be so busy you won't even have time to eat or sleep."

Kaia nodded. "Understood."

"Work hard. Show those gossiping busybodies and rats in the gutter that they can't even catch a glimpse of your shadow."

A bright, burning light appeared in Kaia's eyes. Over the past six years, she had secretly hoped that Finnian would trust and support her unconditionally, just like Silas did.

But the reality was, even though he was her husband, he rarely supported her career. Kaia had gotten to where she was entirely on her own merit.

"Silas, don't go arguing with Finnian over this. It'll just cause you unnecessary trouble," Kaia reminded him.

Silas shrugged nonchalantly, turning to gather his documents. "Protecting my most valuable partner and clearing the noise from our path is part of my job. Don't worry about me."

Kaia smiled and nodded. "Well, I'm lucky to have a boss like you."

Silas suddenly looked up at her, that devilish smirk returning. "Is Mrs. Sanders complimenting me?"

The two little girls ran over.

"Uncle Simon, I just invited Brynlee to come have dinner at our house, and she said yes!"

Kaia was momentarily stunned and looked down at Brynlee.

Brynlee twisted her little fingers together, looking up at her mother with pleading eyes. "Mom, you and Mr. Quinn are friends! Friends can go to each other's houses for dinner, right?"

Kaia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The little girl was definitely employing the ask for forgiveness rather than permission tactic.

Simon's gaze grew a fraction warmer as he looked at Kaia. "My house isn't far from here. Would you like to come over for a bit?"

Just as Kaia was about to politely decline, Simon added, "My parents have been wanting to invite you over, Dr. Chavez. And it just so happens my grandmother was hoping you could take a look at an old ailment of hers."

Kaia paused, suddenly remembering a spring day many years ago. She had shadowed her grandmother on a house call to treat Simon's grandmother. Back then, as an eighteen-year-old girl, she had eaten a few meals at the Quinn house.

They were all in their awkward teenage years; Simon used to avoid her when she visited, but Kaia, with her calm demeanor, never really paid it much mind.

"Mom..." Brynlee tugged at her fingers, her little face the picture of desperation. She was practically begging.

"Auntie Kaia, I promised Brynlee I'd show her my collection! Please?" Anna was just as eager, her eyes shining brightly.