Ss Duncan was no longer the universally admired nuclear expert.[]


    The institute immediately suspended his research and ordered him to provide a full ount of his actions.]


    His vi was seized, his bank ounts frozen. In his panic, I never imagined that Ss would be able to find me in Indonesia.[]


    It turns out, <b>if </b>you really want to find someone, you can.[]


    At that moment, I was double–checking the final data with my colleagues. When my professor called my name, I was startled.]]


    When I saw the panicked, haggard, and weary face of the man before me, I almost didn’t recognize him.]


    The dust and stains on his suit had obscured its original color, and he reeked of stale sweat.]


    He lunged forward and grabbed my hands tightly.


    THE


    “Charlotte, save me! Use your connections, please, plead for me! I can pay back the money, I’ll take a demotion<b>, </b><b>I </b>just don’t want to go to prison!”


    His panicked, fearful cries echoed across the open field.[]


    My colleagues recognized him.]


    “Isn’t that Dr. Duncan? I heard he cheated with his assistant and divorced our Dr. Martin.“]]


    M


    <b>“</b>Pfft, haven’t you seen the news? His little girlfriend sold him out. He was illegally selling national patents. The NSA is investigating him.“]


    “Serves him right. He had a wonderful woman like Dr. Martin and didn’t cherish her. He deserved to be sold out.”


    Ss’s hands trembled as he held mine. “Charlotte, I know I was wrong. From now on, <b>I’ll </b>listen to you. I’ll never do it again<b>.</b>”


    I pushed his hands away and said calmly.]]


    “Ss Duncan, we’re divorced. Don’te looking for me again. I


    A sh of anger crossed Ss’s face.


    Can’t help you with


    your problems.”


    “Charlotte Martin, you’d just watch me die? You have no sense of loyalty The person I’ve always cared about the most is you!“]


    I scoffed.


    at all. I admit I wronged you, but I was deceived too!


    “But you’re the one who asked for the divorce<b>. </b>Are you going to say your feelings for Reba were fake? You went with her to her hometown, to France. What was all that? Were you just bored<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    “When her family was beating me, what were you doing? Sending me a divorce agreement?“[]


    I showed him the scar on my arm, the one from where Reba’s rtives had burned me.]]


    Ss finally lowered his head in shame. “Charlotte, I’m sorry. I was truly a fool.”


    “I’ve kicked Reba out of our house<b>. </b>If you just help me get through this, I swear I’ll cherish and love you just like before. I’ll never go near another woman again.“]]


    With that, Ss pulled me into a tight embrace, sobbing uncontrobly.[]


    Just then, one of my junior colleagues lunged forward and punched Ss in the face.[]


    “<b>Get </b>lost! How dare you show your face to her? This is your karma. Enjoy prison!“]


    My colleague kicked him twice more. Ss didn’t even move, just dropped to his knees on the ground, begging me.[]


    “Charlotte, you can hit me all you want, just please, save me! I don’t want to go to prison! I’ve already suffered so much<b>, </b>I can’t suffer anymore!“]


    As Ss tried to lunge forward to plead again, arge group of police officers arrived, immediately cuffing him and leading him away.


    A weekter, the court’s verdict was announced publicly online. Ss Duncan was sentenced to thirty years in prison for the illegal sale of national patents.]]


    Reba was apprehended at the airport and also brought to court, where she was sentenced to twelve years.


    For intentionally inducing a state researcher tomit a crime, nning a ne hijacking, and causing social panic.


    The day Ss and Reba were transferred to prison, our geothermal drill missile project was officially dered aplete


    sess.


    To counteract the negative impact of the scandal<b>, </b>all major national media outlets extensively reported on the contributions our team had made to the country, and we were awarded the 2025 Best Scientific Research Award.]


    I was also personally named Researcher of the Year and Outstanding Young Scientist.]


    Time flew <b>by</b>. Before I knew it, I was in my forties, with a loving husband and a wonderful child.


    Ss Duncan and Reba Brown became nothing more than a distant memory. My heart was research, and <b>a </b>bright future. []


    now filled only with


    my


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