What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 309

"Dr. Chavez is in the labs. Should I announce you?" the receptionist asked, quickly recovering her professional tone.

"No need. I'll find her."

Finnian walked down the corridor, peering through the glass walls of the labs. In the third room, he spotted Kaia. She wore a pristine white lab coat, her hair tied back, as she demonstrated a data analysis technique on a monitor for her team.

Finnian leaned against the wall, quietly watching her.

When Kaia worked, she buried her personal emotions completely. She was focused, brilliant, and completely unbothered by pressure. In seven years, that absolute dedication to her craft had never changed.

One of the staff noticed Finnian and whispered to Kaia.

She glanced through the glass and saw him leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets. He looked like he had been there a while.

Not wanting to cause a scene, Kaia stepped out.

"Busy?" he asked.

"What do you want?" she replied coldly.

Finnian's jaw tightened. "I need a favor."

Kaia stripped off her gloves and walked past him toward her office.

Finnian followed her, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. To anyone watching, they looked like a power couple, yet the silence between them was suffocating.

Kaia sat at her desk and took a sip of her tea, completely unfazed.

Finnian pulled up a chair across from her. Seeing her so calm and collected only added to his discomfort.

"The Cytogene project at Aethelstan is stalled," he stated bluntly.

Kaia didn't look surprised, nor did she look interested. She just took another sip.

Finnian leaned forward, clasping his hands together, his voice slightly strained. "It's a technical roadblock. The team has been stuck for two months and can't find the issue. I need you to step in."

Kaia finally looked at him. "You can see how busy I am here. I don't have the time."

"I know you don't want to help," Finnian said reasonably. "But this partnership is critical for the conglomerate's global strategy. If this first phase fails..."

"I work for Veridian now. Aethelstan is no longer my problem," she replied ruthlessly. She had no obligation to save Noelle's sinking ship. She had already sworn she would never let someone else take credit for her hard work again.

Finnian's expression instantly hardened. "What private affairs?"

Kaia opened her tote bag and pulled out a document, sliding it across the desk. "I think it's time we sign this separation agreement."

Finnian stared at the paper as if it were toxic, making no move to take it. His chest heaved.

"Your previous conditions are void. I've added my own. Read it," Kaia said, her tone as detached as if she were closing a business deal.

Reluctantly, Finnian picked it up. His eyes scanned the page and landed on a newly added clause:

'The Husband shall not interfere with the Wife's normal interactions with any member of the opposite sex, including but not limited to private meetings, professional engagements, and social gatherings. The Wife retains full autonomy over her social circle, and the Husband shall not question or restrict it under any circumstances.'

Finnian's face flushed with fury. He slammed his hand on the desk. "What the hell is this?"

Kaia leaned back in her chair. "Exactly what it says."

Finnian's grip on the paper tightened until his knuckles turned white. "You're holding a corporate crisis hostage to extort personal demands?"

"Yes." Kaia nodded calmly. "You want my help saving Aethelstan, and I want my terms met. It's perfectly fair."