Madison signed the contract with a flourish, finalizing the deal. In quick succession, the other investors who had previously hesitated also signed their contracts.

Soon, the agreed-upon funds appeared in the designated account.

Ella could hardly believe that she'd actually secured such a substantial investment by drinking thirty bottles at that networking event.

The company could now become a reality.

"Don't worry about setting up the company. I'll handle the operational rights and location scouting," Jason said, taking charge of all the administrative tasks with a cheerful smile directed at Ella.

Seeing his goofy expression, Ella reluctantly agreed.

"Fine."

"You should rest at home for the next few days," He added casually.

Ella nodded in agreement with Jason's suggestion.

After all, with the funding secured, everything else would fall into place more easily.

She could finally get some proper rest.

However, when she returned to Sarah's apartment to relax, Ella was disturbed to find social media buzzing with stories about her drinking exploits with the investors.

Alongside these reports were scattered but unsavory rumors spreading

throughout business circles.

|Someone worthless after leaving a company will always fall back on old tricks.]

[Ella certainly knows how to charm older men.]

[She fell from grace so quickly. I thought she might look foranother proper job after leaving Quantum Tech, but apparently the rumors were true.]

[Learn from Judith, who relies on actual talent, rather than these underhanded methods.]

Ella wasn't sure who had started spreading these rumors.

But she quickly deduced who was likely behind these false allegations.

Apart from Judith, who had spotted her at that high-end club, no one from Quantum Tech had been present that evening.

Her expression darkened. She had expected Judith to fight her with more honorable tactics.

Still so dirty and despicable.

Ella's lips curled into a mocking smile.

She ignored those who insulted her on social media.

Lying on Sarah's not-so-large guest bed, Ella slept more soundly than she had in months.

She silently encouraged herself, determined to go further and eventually surpass Austin's standing in the industry.

This ambition energized her, and she woke feeling refreshed and spirited.

Sarah returned home, bringing late-night snacks.

"Dinner time!" She announced.

Ella shared her good news with Sarah as they prepared to eat.

Upon hearing the news, Sarah excitedly hugged Ella and burst into tears."It finally happened! My lottery ticket has finally won!"

Ella laughed, pulling out tissues to wipe Sarah's tears. "Don't cry,sweetheart. This is a good thing."

"I'm not crying," Sarah shook her head, desperately trying to hold back her tears.

But her internal excitement was overwhelming, a happiness beyond words.

Ella and Sarah chatted happily while enjoying their late-night meal,spending a peaceful evening together.

Sarah, needing to work early the next morning, went to bed shortly after.

Ella had just finished her nighttime routine and was planning to sleep when someone knocked on the door.

Opening it, she found Austin standing in the doorway.

Her expression immediately soured, and she moved to close the door.

Austin blocked it, forcing it open. "We need to talk."

"We're divorced now," Ella began, but Austin had already pushed his way

in, advancing with such intimidating presence that she found herself

backing away.

"Sarah is inside," Ela cautioned, coldly eyeing Austin.

Austin let out a soft, contemptuous laugh.

He towered over Ella, looking down at her with an intense gaze that held both anger and something darker. "Ella, are you deliberately challenging me now?"

"What challenge? I don't understand." Ella turned away, refusing to acknowledge his accusation.

Austin's eyes bored into her, his gaze both scathing and somehow sensual as he examined her face. "Starting a company with plans to develop drones-if Madison hadn't mentioned it casually at dinner tonight, I wouldn't have known about your grand ambitions."

"Yes!" Ella straightened her posture, meeting his challenge."I am challenging you."

Austin fell silent, observing her seemingly self-destructive defiance.

Something about her determination made his usual mockery fade.

Perhaps he saw something of his younger self in her.

Austin had once harbored the same naive dreams of breaking away from the Raymond family with that same drive and ambition.

Perhaps after spending so much time with him, Ellahad absorbed some of these traits.

But he had underestimated Ella.

At her core, she and Austin were cut from the same cloth.

"If there's nothing else, you can leave now," Ella said, her eyes conveying clear dismissal as she glanced toward the door.

Austin raised his eyebrows, amused by her audacity. "I never expected you to become so ruthless. I thought after our divorce we wouldn't become mortal enemies, at least not to this extent."

"Any civility between us disappeared long ago," Ella said coldly,shattering the lingering, ambiguous atmosphere.

His mocking smile and casual demeanor silently reopened the wound Ella had buried deep inside.

Her child, unborn and already declared dead.

All because of Austin.

Did he believe they could maintain any sort of harmonious relationship?

Dream on!

That possibility would never exist.

Whenever night fell and her dreams returned, she couldn't forget that Austin was indirectly responsible for the death of her baby.

He had approved the Blue Lantern Project, heartlessly trampling over her baby's life to court Judith's favor.

"You hate me this much?" Austin seemed genuinely surprised by the depth of her animosity, though he acknowledged his mishandling of that project.

Ella pushed him away in fury. "Austin, I have no interest in standing here exchanging pleasantries. Go back to Judith. Stop pretending to care."

Austin's shoulder shifted slightly as he laughed softly. "Pretending? Is that how you see me?"

Her expression clearly said, 'What else would it be?'

Austin seemed to have been on the receiving end of her anger too many times already and appeared to have nothing more to say.

"The entire drone research and development pipeline is inseparable from my influence," He stated. "Do you really think your little startup can produce drones with no experience?"

"Why not? Austin, I-" Ella was abou to mention her accomplishments when Austin's phone rang.

As he answered, Ella heard Judith's voice filtering through from the other end.

"Austin."

Ella's entire body tensed, finding the situation absurd.

Just then, Sarah burst out of her room, having been awakened by the commotion.

She charged forward, holding pots and pans,ready to intervene.

Ella turned around, saw this scene, and quickly rushed over to restrain her.

"Austin, are you sick or something?" Sarah yelled. "Ella's already divorced you, yet you're still harassing her! Do you enjoy swinging between two women? Get out of mv house or I'm calling the police!"

Austin glanced briefly at Sarah before his eyes settled back on Ella's face.

Their gazes locked.

Ella turned away, her expression distant and cold.

Finally,still on the phone, he departed.

Sarah, still furious, chased after him. "Austin, next time you come barging into my home, I'll sue you for trespassing!"

Seeing Austin disappear, she ran to the window, yanked it open,and continued shouting. "I'm warning you, I'm not someone to mess with! Any pain Ella suffered because of you, I'll make sure you pay for it a thousand times over! Bastard, just wait and see!"