Deeply aware of Ella's struggles, Daron didn't press the issue further. His voice softened with concern, "Ella, if something's bothering you, talk to me about it. Don't keep everything bottled up inside."

"It's nothing, Daron. This kind of thing doesn't really affect me anymore,"Ella replied,forcing a smile.

Daron watched her brave face with a bitter feeling in his heart.

She didn't need to explain-he understood perfectly.

After leaving Daron's company, Ella found herself still pondering the startup plans.

She mulled things over for a while before her phone rang.

"Ella, I've drafted a business plan for our startup. Several investors seem approachable and see potential in our cómpany, but we're short on capital right now." Jason said earnestly on the other end.

Ella's expression tightened. After a pause, she responded, "I'll figure out the money situation."

"You can't shoulder this alone. Remember, we're a team. I'll handle the financial aspects, but these investors need your touch. I've sent you the address-can you meet us there?"

Ella agreed.Jason ended the call, and Ella rushed to the address he had sent without delay.

It was an upscule club.

Ella recalled that this establishment typically catered to the wealthy and powerful elite.

After entering, she asked a staff member about the room number Jason had provided and was directed to a private suite.

Talk about terrible luck-just as she raised her eyes to push open the door,she collided with Austin and his entourage coming from the opposite direction.

"Ella," Paul said with feigned surprise.

He'd clearly heard about her resignation from Judith.

Eyeing Ella's uncomfortable posture with disdain, he sneered, "Looks like Quantum Tech made the right call letting you go. Not every corporate professional would stoop to selling herself in a high-end club like this."

The words cut like a knife,slicing through her heart.

Ella stood frozen at the doorway, her feet seemingly nailed to the floor.

Closing her eyes, Ella clenched her fists hanging at her sides, then opened them fiercely. "Shut up!"

Paul was startled by her outburst.

Glancing at Austin's expressionless face, he felt emboldened. "Can't handle the truth? You caused nothing but trouble for Judith at Quantum Tech.,Ending up like this is your own doing."

"Ella, if you'd known things would turn out this way, would you still have broken up Judith and Austin by becoming the other woman? Look at your pathetie situation now." He continued.

Ella shot him an icy glare, her eyes sharp as daggers.

Paul found himself inexplicably stuttering, unable to continue his barrage of insults.

Meanwhile, Judith seized the opportunity to pour salt on the wound."Ella,there's no need to resort to places like this for money. If you came to ask for my help, I'd give you something out of family obligation."

Ella fixed Judith with an intense stare.

Judith felt a chill run down her spine and involuntarily stepped back.

Ella approached them step by step, emphasizing each word. "We stopped being family long ago!"

"Austin, look at her. I only wanted to make peace," Judith whimpered.tears welling in her eyes.

Austin placed a comforting arm around Judith's shoulders.

Ella laughed coldly, her voice dripping with contempt. "You're welcome to my leftovers."

As she spoke,she deliberately glanced at Austin, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Auastin's brows furrowed deeply, his gaze sharp as it swept toward Ella.

She lifted her chin defiantly, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Remember to sign those divorce papers soon."

Judith quickly looked at Austin, questioning, "Austin, you haven't divorced her yet?"

"Austin, you should get rid of this burden as soon as possible. Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for her?" Paul chimed in.

"Ella."

Austin lowered his gaze, seemingly contemplating something before raising his narrow eyes again.

"I'll grant your wish."

Ella smiled with relief, but tears began falling uncontrollably as she did.

They stared at each other, with nothing but disappointment between them.

Judith, nestled against Austini's side, reveled in his attention. "Austin, you're so good to me."

Austin responded with gentle protection in his voice. "She's too harsh. Are you alright?"

Ella listened to their intimate exchange, tilting her head to look at the opulent chandelier above, desperately trying to hold back the tears pooling in her eyes.

Paul's irritating voice buzzed like a fly near her ear, refusing to stop.

"See that? Austin only feels pity for you. You didn't seriously think these years of marriage meant he'd fall in love with you, did you? Developing feelings for you? You're really overestimating yourself."

Ella glared sideways at Paul, her patience evaporating.

Without warning, she slapped him hard across the face.

Everyone stared at her in shock.

"You crazy woman!" Paul clutched his left cheek, stunned.

He could barely process what had just happened.

"You hit me?"

Even his father had never struck him.

Embarrassment and rage are mixing. He shouted, "Ella, this isn't over!"

She didn't even spare him a glance as she turned to leave.

Paul moved to chase after her.

Austin called him back.

"T'll make sure she pays for that slap. We have more important matters to attend to."

"Right, we're here to celebrate Judith's project passing inspection and successfully launching on the market." Paul quickly shifted gears,returning to his fawning demeanor around Judith.

Judith kept her head lowered, basking in her happiness while secretly glancing toward Ella's retreating figure.

'You must be consumed with jealousy now, Ella. Your project was dismantled, your important partner poached, and now my project is thriving. Let's see how you recover from this.'

"I haven't named it yet!" Judith said with a graceful smile, appearing magnanimous.

Paul observed how composed and dignified she was compared to the petty.vindictive Ella. The difference couldn't be more stark.

Austin's thin lips parted as he said, "Call it Blue Lantern."

Ella's spine stiffened, and she stopped in her tracks.

With her back to Austin, she couldn't stop trembling. A tingling sensation ran up and down her spine, like an electric current passing through her body.

She stood there, stunned, thinking about the baby that never formed in her womb.

When Austin had first mentioned having children,she had cuddled in his arms, drawing circles onhis chest, dreaming about their baby's arrival.

"What about Landon?" Austin had agreed.

"We'll call him that if it's a boy."

She had smiled playfully in his embrace. "What if it's a girl?"

"Lana would be nice too," Austin had replied, his eyes melting with tenderness.

In that moment, she had foolishly believed she'd married for love.

Ella belatedly realized her vision had blurred completely, tears hovering at the corners of her eyes.

The wound in her heart seemed like it would never heal.