Chapter 2 We Are Ending This Marriage

A faint, cold curve formed on Dennis's lips as he spoke. "There's not a single lawyer who would risk drafting a divorce agreement for you."

The meaning behind his words didn't need to be explained. No matter what she wanted, walking away from this marriage wouldn't be allowed.

With biting sarcasm, Jillian let out a quiet laugh. "Your influence really knows no limits. You can even hand someone else's patent to whoever you choose. Of course, I would believe you."

For a brief moment, irritation flickered across Dennis's face.

Without adding anything more, Jillian pivoted and left, refusing to look back even once.

Under the harsh cold of winter, she stepped outside dressed only in a formal gown with a thin shawl draped over her shoulders. The freezing air crept into her body, and a dull, pulsing pain slowly spread through her right knee.

Long ago in Cletolia, she endured a savage beating to shield him, and that moment changed her life forever. It left her leg permanently damaged, forcing surgeons to insert three steel pins just so she could stand and walk again.

At that time, he repeatedly swore that he would marry her and take care of her for the rest of her life. Now, none of those promises remained, and he looked at her like a stranger while giving all his attention to Melany.

In the end, she could only see him for what he truly was. A man without warmth and without a heart.

For now, grieving over her broken marriage could wait, because reclaiming her patent mattered far more. Without hesitation, she flagged down a cab and made her way straight to the Miller Group headquarters to secure the proof she needed.

Back when they had just married, Dennis personally placed her in the company's core research division.

At the heart of Quantum Glue was her late mother's unfinished work. Jillian made a promise to see it through, and she refused to let anyone else take ownership of it.

As soon as she stepped into the building, she went straight to the lab. Without wasting a second, she began transferring experimental records, research drafts, and raw data onto a flash drive. While the files were being copied, she took out her phone and started searching for a capable lawyer.

Out of nowhere, raised voices and hurried footsteps echoed from the lab entrance. Before Jillian could even make sense of the disturbance, Melany rushed inside.

Rolling in quickly, Melany fixed her gaze on the illuminated screen. The moment she recognized the data being transferred, a calculating look flickered in her eyes.

With a casual but pointed tone, she spoke. "Jillian, what exactly are you doing here? Are you trying to interfere with my award-winning project?"

Before Jillian had the chance to respond, Melany suddenly pushed herself forward and struck the computer's power button, forcing the system to shut down.

A surge of anger ran through Jillian, and her voice shook as she spoke. "Melany, have you completely lost your mind?"

With open disdain, Melany let out a dismissive scoff. "I'm only making sure no one resorts to cheap tricks to sabotage something I rightfully earned."

Closing the distance between them, she lowered her voice into a taunting whisper. "Did you honestly believe you could collect evidence against me? Dennis already gave me his word that he would protect me. Your patent, your position, even your future, are already in my hands. If you keep this up, you are only making a fool of yourself."

Rage surged through Jillian, breaking past everything she had tried to contain. "You took my work, and now you walk in here acting proud of it?" The moment she met Melany's smug expression, the last thread of her restraint snapped, and she lifted her hand to strike.

Before her hand could land, a strong grip seized her wrist and stopped her cold.

"What exactly do you think you are doing?" Dennis's face was livid, a dark rage swirling in the depths of his eyes.

At once, Melany pulled back as if frightened. "Dennis, please... I understand that she is upset about losing the award. If she needs to take it out on me, then just let her."

As she spoke, tears welled up and slipped down her face, making her appear every bit the innocent victim.

A cold edge settled over Dennis's features, and the way he looked at Jillian carried nothing but disdain. "Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough already? Raising your hand against someone in a wheelchair-do you feel no shame at all?"

A sharp mix of bitterness and hurt surged through Jillian as she faced him. "Shame? There is nothing shameful about reclaiming what was stolen from me!"

Cutting her off, Dennis spoke with clear irritation. "That's enough. I have already made it clear that the issue with the patent is closed. Melany is preparing to apply for her doctorate, and I refuse to let anything interfere with that."

Color slowly drained from Jillian's face as his words sank in. She said, "For her sake, I already gave up my entire career. You know how much my mother's final wish means to me!"

Without the slightest flicker of emotion, Dennis delivered his next decision. "Starting today, you no longer have any access to this laboratory."

The weight of his words struck Jillian hard, leaving her reeling. Dennis was cutting off her only chance to gather proof and fight back.

As if it were an afterthought, Dennis reached into his suit and pulled out a small velvet box. With no care at all, he tossed it onto the floor. The lid sprang open, and a diamond necklace fell out onto the tiles.

With a detached look, Dennis spoke as he glanced down at her. "It's your birthday today. I bought that necklace as compensation for the patent and to keep you from causing trouble. Now it looks like I threw my money away for nothing."

A sharp, mocking smile appeared on Jillian's lips. So he remembered her birthday. He knew, and yet he still chose to hurt her this way.

After taking everything from her, he still believed he could fix it with a piece of jewelry, just like he always had.

"I have no interest in your fake compensation," Jillian said through clenched teeth.

Without hesitation, Dennis gave his verdict. "This is the result of your own actions. Now, apologize to Melany."

While Jillian stood there in anger and disarray, a faint trace of satisfaction flickered across Melany's face before it quickly disappeared. Keeping up her gentle act, she spoke gently. "Dennis, please calm down. There's no need to be so harsh on Jillian. I understand she feels wronged. Let us not make a big issue out of this. I'm truly fine without an apology."

Her attempt to defend Jillian only made Dennis look even more displeased. "What do you mean you are fine? She almost hit you! Jillian, apologize to her this instant."

As Jillian faced the two of them standing together, a chilling numbness spread through her veins. Taking a slow step forward, she pressed her heel down onto the necklace and crushed it beneath her foot, as though she were destroying every last piece of hope she once had for him.

"An apology isn't going to happen." Her tone remained eerily steady, and the warmth that once filled her eyes was nowhere to be found. "Dennis, we are ending this marriage. I will take back my patent, and I will reclaim everything you took from me, one piece at a time."

Bracing herself against the sharp pain shooting through her knee, she turned away and began to walk off.

From behind, Dennis watched her leave with clear dissatisfaction, but something in her movements caught his attention. As his eyes narrowed, a hint of confusion crossed his face. What was wrong with Jillian's leg?