What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 7

Kaia's hand didn't hesitate as she opened the door, as if she hadn't heard a word.

Back in her office, Kaia leaned against the door and took a deep breath.

Her fingers, clutching the documents, were white from the pressure.

She feared the unknown more than she feared living a lie.

Kaia sat at her desk, picked up the landline, and dialed a number. "Could you please forward me the archived files for the 'Vitality & Calm Formula Improvement and Sustained-Release Technology Application' project? I have an important announcement to make at the three o'clock meeting."

Kaia opened her computer and accepted a file.

This promising project had been initiated by Josephine Sanders, the Sanders matriarch. Publicly, it was touted as a collaboration between the two sisters-in-law. If successful, it would have been a heartwarming story.

Now, as the project neared its conclusion, she looked at the submission documents. Under the section detailing the solution, the credit was given to Noelle's formulation and innovation team. Kaia's name only appeared in the list of personnel providing pharmacological support.

"Just as I thought."

Kaia's fingers flew across the keyboard.

At three in the afternoon, in the large conference room, Finnian at the head of the table stared at the documents before him, his expression a complex mixture of emotions.

Today's meeting was for the phase summary of the "Vitality & Calm" project.

Members of the R&D department and technical leads from various other departments were in attendance.

When it was Kaia's turn to speak, she calmly laid out a stack of materials and stood at the front of the room. The documents displayed on the projector had been revised by her.

"There are some discrepancies between the project's submission materials and the original records. I'd like to offer a clarification to everyone here."

Her words sent a shockwave through the room.

The submission materials had already been filed. For Kaia to suddenly claim they were inaccurate was startling.

"Exactly. Dr. Lawrence just lost her husband. This is the most difficult time for her. Can't you show a little compassion?"

A murmur of disapproval filled the room. Everyone felt that Kaia was trying to steal credit at a sensitive time, that her actions were petty, lacking in both generosity and kindness.

By doing this, Kaia had broken an unwritten rule: the leader gets the glory, and the silent contributors must know their place.

They saw her as aggressively seizing power, thinking that as Finnian's wife, she could kick Noelle while she was down.

Kaia's expression remained largely unchanged.

Her tone was even and unhurried. "I understand everyone's concerns. However, I believe that in research and development, we must always adhere to facts and the principle of originality. Clarifying the true source of the technology is more important than personal gain or loss. If the original records are not clear, the company could face losses and be at fault in the event of a dispute over technical details or intellectual property."

She paused, her gaze lingering for a moment on the disapproving faces.

"Based on the facts of the technical contributions, having me take over the leadership to complete the final integration phase of this project and the subsequent technical support for production is the most prudent course of action to ensure its smooth progress."