Chapter 4

The second Anderson walked into the lab, his colleagues swarmed him.

"So, how'd it go?"

"Like you even need to ask? When Anderson's on the case, is there anything he can't smooth over?"

"Please, everyone knows Ava follows Anderson around like a lovesick puppy."

Meeting their eager looks, Anderson gave a slight smirk:

"Of course. She's just throwing a little temper tantrum, that's all."

On my way to the lawyer's office, my phone was blowing up.

A constant stream of calls and texts from all sorts of media outlets:

"We're hearing online that you've stopped funding Anderson's lab. Is this true?"

"Is this due to a marriage crisis or pressure from the Davidson Institute's recent success?"

"Would you be available for an interview to explain the situation?"

I’d only made the decision this morning, and by noon it was already all over the news?

"Forget the firm for now," I told the driver. "Turn around, head to the lab."

Before I even got to the door, I could hear their voices clearly from inside.

"I want to get a new 4K monitor."

"And I could really use a new coffee maker."

"Sure, anything you want," Anderson’s lazy drawl drifted out. "The minute she reverses her decision to cut the funding, I'll get right on it."

So, it turned out all the money I’d poured into the lab was just being used for their own personal perks.

A bitter laugh escaped me. Now I finally understood why Anderson always insisted I had to call him before I ever came to the lab.I slammed the door open, and the room, just moments ago buzzing with excited chatter, instantly froze.

My gaze swept over every single person there. I asked, my voice like ice,

"Who leaked it to the press that I was cutting the funding?"

From a corner, Katelyn started to shake, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I didn't mean to."

"I was just so scared you were really going to stop the funding, and then everyone would be out of a job. So I thought… I thought maybe some public pressure would make you reconsider."

Real smart.

Just like that, with a few choice words, she’d painted me – the one bankrolling their research – as the villain threatening all their careers.

"That information was classified." My eyes bored into hers, my voice dangerously level. "You've been here long enough. You know what an non-disclosure agreement is, don't you?"

"Ava, are you out of your damn mind today?!"

Seeing Katelyn tongue-tied, Anderson shot up, slamming his fist on the table.

"This is my lab! You can't just waltz in here and start ordering everyone around!"

"Your lab?" I repeated, a humorless laugh escaping me. "What in this entire place wasn’t bought and paid for with my money?"

"Anderson, what on earth gives you the right to call it ‘your’ lab?”

I’d never, ever embarrassed Anderson in public. I’d always been the picture of respect, admiration, practically hanging on his every word.

He must have registered the change in me, because a flicker of pure panic crossed his face.But in front of his colleagues, he still puffed out his chest, all high and mighty:

"You really think I won't divorce you...?"

"Fine," I cut him off. "We should've done this ages ago."

Those words hit like a bombshell in the room.

Anderson’s eyes widened, his fingers clenching involuntarily.

When his gaze fell on my bare ring finger, the ego he guarded so fiercely completely crumbled.

Realizing he’d completely lost control, the venom just spewed from his lips:

"Oh, really? Well, then I'd just love to see who'd want a thirty-year-old, secondhand woman like you!"

A couple of soft knocks echoed, and then Jack Wilson was standing in the doorway.

He was tall and striking, broad-shouldered with a lean waist, radiating an undeniable presence.

He strode in, one arm immediately going around my trembling shoulders:

"Well, look at that. Times really have changed if even dogs are trying to talk now."

He pulled a set of divorce papers from his briefcase, casually dropping them onto the table:

"Time to step aside, Mr. Ex-Husband."