MarshalI lost his temper without warning and began berating everyone.

"I'd love to have her in my department, but didn't Mr. Castillo already give her a better position elsewhere?"、

Royce,seeing the escalating tension between the two, stepped in quickly."Enough! It's just one project. What's there to argue about?"

Both fell silent immediately.

The meeting concluded shortly after.

Ella left the conference room clutching her mug and headed toward the Research Department.

Jason strode quickly to catch up with her from behind.

"Why are you walking so fast?" he asked.

Ella slowed her pace and offered a smile. "I was afraid Marshall would start picking on me again."

"Are you being bullied in the Research Department?"

Jason didn't have a strong impression of Marshall, only knowing him as a rigid traditionalist who followed rules to the letter.

Such behavior wasn't particularly endearing to colleagues.

"It's not so bad. I've actually learned quite a lot in this department." Ella replied softly with a gentle smile.

Jason patted her shoulder supportively. "I don't think Quantum Tech is

the right fit for you. Someone with your intellect could easily start their own venture. Working under others seems to be holding you back."

Ella remained quiet, though she took his words to heart.

Back in the Research Department, she had just set down her mug when Marshall entered from outside.

He immediately targeted Ella with a stern tone. "Go to the lab and compile the research data into a document for me. Also, revise your proposal from the meeting based on Judith's project."

"But you disagreed with my proposal," she pointed out.

"Mr. Castillo wants to see your proposal," Marshall snapped.

He shot her a furious glare before stomping into his office and slamming the door shut.

The thunderous sound echoed throughout the office.

Ella shrugged and sat down at her desk.

Othersin the department began whispering among themselves.

"Ella is something else. Her first day in Research and she's already got Marshall this angry."

"She doesn't know her place. I bet she'll be kicked ou sooner rather than later."

"Did you see how Mr. Castillo favored her in the meeting? I wondder if something is going on between them."

"Hard to say. The whole department's become toxic because of her."

Ella could hear some of the gossip from where she sat, but she continued working without letting the external noise disturb her.

By the end of the day.Ella had received several calls from John.

She finally answered, unable to ignore him any longer.

"Ella, how dare you hang up on me!" John's voice came through, shrill with anger.

His piercing tone hurt her ears.

Ella gripped her phone tightly and took a deep breath to calm herself before responding coldly, "I'm not coming home. I have work."

"What kind of work could you possibly have? Aren't you just playing the role of a trophy wife? If you don't come home. I'll go to the Raymond estate and wait for you there!"

John was certainly capable of such a scene.

Previously, he had gone to Austin's company and waited at the entrance just to demand money from him.

She truly didn't want any further entanglements with Austin.

After weighing her options, Ella reluctantly agreed to John's demand.

After finishing the phone call in the restroom. Ella emerged to find Judith at the sink, touching up her makeup.

Through the mirror. Judith curved her lips into a challenging smile. "The Prometheus Project won't succeed."

"Its success doesn't rely solely on you," Ella replied evenly.

Hearing Judith's confident tone, Ella couldn't help but smíle.

Judith applied a coat of Givenchy lipstick to her thin lips. dabbed them together, and said lightly, "I have Austin."

The flippant comment buzzed in Ella's ears like an irritating fly.

Austin indeed had that kind of influence.

But she didn't believe Austin would go that far for Judith.

At the very least, she thought the Auastin she once knew had a shred of conscience.

Even if he didn't love her, surely four years of shared history would prevent him from destroying her?

Ella paused, said nothing, and walked out of the restroom.

Inside the bathroom, Judith clenched her fists tighly.

If Peter hadn't informed her that morning about Ella's involvement in her project,she would have had no idea that Ella had transformed her work into a low-quality Al imitation. She never imagined that beneath Ella's harmless exterior lurked such ambition, willing to go to any lengths for recognition.

Judith laughed coldly. She wouldn't lose to Ella.

With that thought, she dialed Austin's numnber.

"Austin, would you come with me to my parents' house for dinner tonight?"

On the other end, he responded with a gentle laugh. "Of course, whatever

you want."

"I think Ella is trying to steal my project. I never realized that despite her domestic education, she could be so calculating. Do you think Mr. Castillo is attracted to her? Why else would he give her my project?"

"Or perhaps she's manipulating him somehow?" she added suggestively.

Austin's tone remained neutral. "That won't happen. I'll speak with Royce."

"I heard the Prometheus Project team will be attending the industry summit soon. Austin, could you introduce me to some connections? I'd like to learn and network there too."

Her red lips curved upward, a vindictive gleam in her eyes.

She would make sure Ella learned her place at that summit.

"I'll arrange it," he assured her.

"It's so wonderful having you by my side. I never have to worry about anything."

He laughed softly. "We'll never be apart again."

"Good."

Judith ended the call, walking out of the restroom with a satisfied smile.

That afternoon, after sending the data to Marshall's emai1. Ella requested time off and left.

She hadn't even stopped for lunch before arriving at the Brooks Villa.

Ella walked through the entrance. In the long corridor. many of the plants

had already turned yellow, and a thick layer of lichen covered the grouna.

"Ms. Brooks,you're back."

The housekeeper,seeing her arrival, came forward with a smile.

Ella recognized this woman as someone her grandparents had hired years ago.

She was surprised John hadn't fired her, but then saw tears welling in the older woman's eyes as she choked out. "I thought you'd never come back again!"