Chapter 7
Behind him, he heard the sound of a glass shattering
“Bastards! You’re all liars! None of you like me!‘“]
Followed by the sound of hysterical sobbing.
Silas’s irritation grew. He couldn’t understand how Rebecca could have so many tears. No matter what happened, the moment he expressed an opinion, the waterworks would start instantly.
In his memory. Charlotte had never cried. Even when they were living in a basement, eating instant noodles every day, he would always come home to her bright, happy smile.
On his birthday, even if all they had were two packets of instant ramen, she would manage to shape them into something resembling a cake, stick matches in it for candles, make a wish, and then share it with him, each bite tasting sweet and delicious.
Silas lay on the cot in his lab, chain smoking all night. The wedding was in a week, and for the first time, he felt a sense of dread.
In the morning, Rebecca called to talk about looking at wedding dresses. Silas made an excuse about being busy and put it off.
The next day, an out–of–town monitoring assignment came up at the institute. Without a second thought, Silas volunteered.]]
Three days later, when Silas returned and turned on his phone, he was greeted by 99+ missed calls and a screen full of messages from Rebecca.
With a sigh, Silas opened the most recent one.[]
“Silas, why aren’t you answering my calls? Are you dumping me? If you don’t want me anymore, then I don’t want to live.“]
“My life has been miserable anyway. Just let me die with my baby. Death will solve everything.”
Afraid she might actually do something rash, Silas quickly texted back.
*Rebecca, I was on an assignment assisting a partner lab. All communications were blocked. I just got out, I’m on my way now.”
back
After sending the message, Silas rushed back to Chicago. He didn’t get a reply from Rebecca the entire way, and a sense of anxiety began to gnaw at him, fearing that she might have actually done something.
After running six red lights, he finally made it home just before dark.]
Both maids were there. Silas grabbed one of them.[]
“Where’s Miss Brown? Why didn’t you go with her when she went out?“]
The maid explained.]
Mu. Miss Brown said she w
was meeting a friend to talk today and told us not to come. I think she mentioned a place called The
Gilded Leaf Teahouse‘?”
Without even stopping for a drink of water, Silas turned and sped off towards the teahouse
Instead of calling Rebecca. Silas. went from room to room, searching. Finally, from the very last room, he heard the sound of her light laughter.
Silas yanked the door open. Their eyes met, and for a moment, he froze.
iles into the room.]
After a moment of silence, Rebecca stood up, smiled, and pulled Silas into the
Silas, you’re here! I was just about to head back and tell you, I have a huge surprise for you.”
Silas’s heart tightened. Looking at Mr. Davis sitting across from them, a bad feeling began to rise in his gut.]
He swallowed hard and followed Rebecca, sitting down cross–legged.[]
“Whatever the surprise is, you can tell me here. Mr. Davis isn’t a stranger.“]
Rebecca triumphantly slapped a contract down on the table in front of Silas.]
“I made ten million dollars for you today! Impressive, right?”
“Now you can never scold me for spending too much money again. I can earn money too, big money.”
Silas’s hand trembled as he picked up the contract. It was an agreement selling himself to Mr. Davis. The contract clearly stated that for the next two years, all of Silas’s personal patents would belong to the Davis Group.
And if he were to breach the contract, the penalty would be ten times the contract amount.[]
Silas couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed the contract and ripped it to shreds.
“This is insane! Who gave you the right to sign away my patents? I’m a government researcher! This is illegal!”
Mr. Davis chuckled, calinly taking a sip of his tea.]
“Dr. Duncan, no need to get so worked up. If you think the money’s not enough, we can renegotiate. No need for the righteous act. I’m well aware of your collaboration with Starlight Industries.”
Silas’s face darkened. With a subtle glance from Mr. Davis, Rebecca quickly wrapped her arms around Silas and began to plead.[
“Silas, I’ve already accepted a four–million–dollar advance from Mr. Davis. If you don’t agree, he’ll have me sent to prison.“[]
“Silas, working with Starlight is still working, what’s the difference with Mr. Davis? He said if you agree, he’ll pay for our entire wedding! And when the baby is born, he’ll give us a huge gift.“]
Listening to Rebecca’s incessant pleading. Silas felt a murderous rage towards the ugly woman before him.[]
For two years, not only would he be unable to focus on his nuclear research, but he could even be fired from the National Research Institute for getting involved in commercial dealings.
Rebecca pleaded until her throat was dry. Seeing that Silas was unmoved, she immediately threw a tantrum-]
“If you don’t agree, then I don’t want to live! It’s better to die now than to be a laughingstock raising my son in prison!“[]
She shoved Silas away and made a move as if to storm out the door.]
In that moment, Silas felt nothing but a profound exhaustion. He didn’t even move.
Rebecca got to the doorway and saw that Silas hadn’t rushed after her like he usually did. She stood there awkwardly, her face flushing with anger.]
Seeing the awkward tension, Mr. Davis quickly stood up and pulled Rebecca back.
“Alright, alright, no need to be so hasty. Dr. Duncan needs time to consider.“]
He pushed Rebecca in front of Silas, then stood up to take his leave.[]
Silas didn’t say a word. With a face like stone, he also stood up and drove home.
Back at the villa, Rebecca was still stomping her feet angrily.[]
“Since none of you can see how hard I’m trying, I might as well just die! I’m just a worthless, unlucky person anyway!“[]
As Rebecca was putting on her dramatic performance, Silas, who had been silent until now, suddenly uttered a shocking
statement.
“Then go ahead and die. And take that bastard child with your” ||
