What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 200

Just as Kaia set her phone down, a calendar alert popped up. Frowning, she glanced at the screen. It was a reminder she had set long ago for their Wedding Anniversary on May 3rd. She froze for a second, then quickly deleted it.

Noelle's team returned in triumph, and morale at Aethelstan skyrocketed.

Inside Aethelstan's primary conference room, corporate executives and middle management were gathered.

Noelle sat at the head of the table. Behind her, a massive projection screen displayed the meeting's core theme: Aethelstan & Cytogene's Century Strategic Partnership: The New Era of Gene Therapy.

Noelle tapped her pen lightly against the table, and the quiet chatter in the room instantly died down.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried perfectly across the room. "Signing the agreement was just the first step. Now the real work begins. We need to finalize the technical teams, select a site for the training center, and establish protocols with the five domestic pilot hospitals on a strict timeline."

Her gaze swept across the room. "There is zero margin for error on this project. I expect total cross-departmental cooperation. Give it everything you have."

Several department heads immediately voiced their agreement.

The energy in the room was electric and highly motivated.

After the meeting, Wendy followed Noelle back to her office, carrying her files.

Wendy's eyes gleamed with the thrill of victory. She knew exactly how to flatter her boss. "Ms. Lawrence, you executed that flawlessly. I just wonder if certain people over at Veridian are going to be able to sleep tonight."

Noelle took a slow sip from her teacup, gently blowing on the surface before she answered.

Thinking Noelle hadn't heard her kiss-up attempt, Wendy was about to repeat herself when Noelle cut her off smoothly.

"Kaia's technical achievements are universally recognized. We shouldn't let one victory make us arrogant."

Wendy blinked, instantly looking at Noelle with pure awe. Her boss was so magnanimous and classy.

Not like some people, who would use any opportunity to step on others.

But while Aethelstan was busy popping champagne, a massive PR disaster was brewing online.

On a prominent medical industry forum, a highly provocative post had gone viral, sparking intense debate.

The headline read: Re: The Cytogene Deal and Internal Tech Gaps—An Open Letter.

No names were explicitly mentioned, but anyone in the medical sector knew exactly who it was about.

The author used thinly veiled language to launch a scathing critique.

The comments section was an absolute warzone.

"Aethelstan secured a massive partnership with Cytogene, securing their future. Meanwhile, Veridian Future—also under The Sanders Conglomerate—doesn't even have a viable product line yet."

As Kaia stepped out of her office, Silas happened to be walking down the hall. Seeing her carrying the files, he asked, "Heading to headquarters?"

Kaia nodded. "Yes. Are you coming?"

Silas shook his head. "I've got to run to Prestige Medical Center this afternoon. But I already flagged that online hit piece to corporate. My cousin seems pretty pissed off about it."

Kaia paused, surprised Silas had beaten her to the punch. She nodded. "It's a terrible look for the company. Of course he's angry."

At 2:30 PM, Kaia walked into the soaring lobby of The Sanders Conglomerate headquarters. A swarm of reporters from various medical publications was already waiting.

The moment Kaia appeared in her sharp gray suit, she was instantly recognized.

"There she is! That's Veridian's R&D Director, Dr. Chavez!"

"She's notoriously private. She never gives interviews. We're not going to get anything out of her."

"That forum post is blowing up right now. She can't possibly stay quiet after a hit like that."

"Let's try."

Two reporters immediately broke from the pack, shoving microphones toward her. "Dr. Chavez! Yesterday, critics claimed that Veridian Future's R&D division is falling dangerously behind. How do you respond to those allegations?"