?Chapter 17:


    Ste walked over and sat down on an armchair, keeping a noticeable distance between them. Marc’s eyes stayed on her.


    “Alright, what is it you wanted to say?” she asked tly.


    Marc’s tone turned serious.


    “Ste, there’s nothing going on between me and Haley beyond work. You’re getting the wrong idea. This coboration with the Smith family could really take ourpany to the next level. Mr. Smith himself suggested that Haley should gain some hands-on experience by working here. And honestly, with her background in internationalw and her n to stay here long-term, I can’t think of a more fitting role for her than the legal department.”


    The moment he started talking about Haley, Ste silently scoffed.


    “What does her joining legal have to do with me?” she thought to herself.


    So that trip to Hoxphis—of course, it wasn’t about her at all. It was for Haley.


    Marc leaned a little closer, trying to soften the gap between them.


    “This is why I brought it up. If your patent stays with us, it’ll be the first project Haley takes on after joining. She’ll be pleased, her family will be impressed, and it helps ourpany in the long run.”


    As far as Marc was concerned, he hadid everything out inly.


    This was about business.


    They needed the Smith family on their side, and if Haley was happy, things would go smoothly.


    As for Ste? All she had to do was sign a document—it wasn’t anything new. She’d always sold her patents to him without much fuss. Today was probably just one of her rare moments of defiance.


    Once she calmed down, she’d go back to doing what she always did.


    When he finished, he looked at her with that familiar, gentle expression.


    “You won’t turn me down, will you, Ste? It’s just a renewal—nothing changes for you.”


    Ste didn’t feel moved—she felt sick.


    Her gaze was cold as she spoke slowly, each word deliberate.


    “So this whole talk… is about using my patent to make Haley happy?”


    What kind of twisted logic was that? How could he say something so absurd with a straight face?


    Seeing her frustration, Marc frowned. “I’m just being honest. A strongpany benefits both of us. We’re married, Ste. Isn’t it normal for a couple to support each other?”


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    Normal? The word echoed in her head, and suddenly, she had nothing more to say.


    Every time he spoke, he somehow managed to make himself even more pathetic.


    She rose to her feet, towering over Marc with a piercing gaze.


    “This is my patent,” she said icily. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not selling. And no one, not even you, has the right to force me.”


    Marc hadn’t expected her to be this uncooperative. He had already swallowed his pride, offered a vacation, and even put work aside.


    Why was she being so unreasonable?


    Losing his patience, he got up with a hardened look. “Enough. This conversation is over. Go to the office tomorrow and sign the renewal. Don’t act like a child.”


    Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked upstairs.


    Ste stared after him, and her lips curled into a bitter smile.


    Maybe the truth was simple—they were never meant for each other. There was no use arguing anymore. It was a waste of breath.


    Despite this, her emotions didn’t settle.


    Her eyes rested on the coffee table, but her chest felt tight—so tight she could barely take a proper breath.


    He really had the nerve to say it was only normal for her to help him—like it was expected, like she owed him.


    The thought made her let out a bitter, hollowugh. The sound echoed through the quiet living room, soaked in loneliness and disbelief.


    Her head throbbed again, the pain from yesterday’s injury creeping back as if in sync with her heartache.


    That night, she stayed in the study, curling up alone.


    But deep into the night, she was jolted awake by the sound of someone trying to open the door from the outside.


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