Whats She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 42

you a preliminary assessment report as soon as possible, but…”

Her single sentence instantly quieted the arguing team members. Silas’s gaze rested on her face.

“Veridian’s focus is on early–stage, high–risk ventures. This means we need to build an empowerment system that’s different from traditional venture capital. The technical evaluation will be much more challenging. It’s not as simple as reading papers and listening to pitches.”

Silas clapped his hands, his smile bright and arrogant. “That’s exactly why I brought you on board. Whatever resources you need, just name it. You have the final say in the R&D department.”

He shifted his tone, adding a touch of amusement. “I heard Aethelstan is also cherry–picking projects lately, especially ones adjacent to your previous research focus. Noelle’s got quite the ambition. She wants to produce results quickly to prove my cousin’s judgment wasn’t wrong.”

Kaia’s expression remained unchanged. She simply said, “I’m only just realizing how much she loves playing these competitive games.”

Silas’s eyes flickered. “You’re only realizing it now? I’ve known for a long time.”

That remark earned him a deeply meaningful look from Kaia.

“Mr. Sanders, I’ll give you the preliminary structure and recruitment plan for the R&D department in two days. Additionally, I need to visit key labs and universities as soon as possible to build our own network of experts.”

“Done. I’ll go with you,” Silas agreed readily.

Leaving the meeting room, Kaia sat at a rest area, cupping a mug of tea. Suddenly, Silas slid his phone across the table to her. “I think you’ll find this video interesting.”

Kaia’s hands paused on her mug. She picked up his phone and watched.

“This is data I recovered from an old phone. It’s from about eight or nine years ago.”

The background was a wooded area on the outskirts of the city. The camera was a bit shaky. In the center of the frame was a campfire, with a grill and ingredients scattered nearby.

A few young figures appeared on screen.

The most prominent were two young men in casual t–shirts and jeans. Their features clearly marked them as the brothers, Finnian and Rafael.

A teenage girl in a floral dress with her long hair flowing freely darted into the frame. It was Noelle.

She looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, her face as bright and lovely as a flower. She handed a skewer of grilled corn to Rafael, leaned into his ear, and whispered something. The eldest Sanders brother affectionately ruffled her hair, and Noelle lazily leaned against his arm, nibbling the corn.

Over by the grill, Finnian was looking down, adjusting the charcoal, Suddenly, Noelle jumped up and ran over to him. She picked up a skewer of grilled meat and held it right up to Finnian’s mouth.

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Chapter 42

Finnian wouldn’t eat it. Noelle laughed, saying something inaudible, and then, with a mix of bossiness and charming stubbornness, kept pressing the meat against his lips. Helplessly, the man took a bite.

Finnian seemed incredibly satisfied. The smile on his face was warm and genuine, completely devoid of the stoic, calculating coldness Kaia was used to seeing.

Noelle laughed so hard she was practically shaking, naturally leaning her shoulder against him.

Because she was laughing so gleefully near the hot coals, she lost her balance for a second and almost fell toward the fire. Finnian caught her before she could blink, his thumb grazing her forehead as he brushed away a stray speck of ash.

Just then, the woman recording the video spoke up. “I want some too! I’m starving.”

Kaia gripped the phone, her fingertips turning ice–cold.

It was barely a twenty–second clip, but it was a vibrant, undeniable record of their past.

The Finnian in the video didn’t look like her husband; he looked like Noelle’s teenage sweetheart.

Kaia looked down and let out a self–deprecating laugh.

So, this so–called old flame wasn’t just Noelle’s one–sided fantasy or clinginess. It was mutual, filled with youth and sunshine.

And her? Where did Kaia fit in?