<b>Chapter </b><b>171 </b>
Martin waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry I’ll handle all the academic matters. You just focus on your research.”
Aria fell silent.
‘n’d be rude to refuse again! She thought.
“Then, could I have some time to think it over?” Aria said politely.
Martin could barely suppress a grin. “Wright be looking forward to your positive answer.”
With the drama <b>over</b>, the crowd began to disperse
<b>Unable </b>to hold back any longer, Zoe called out to her daughter. Forcing back tears, she managed a smile. “Aria, sweetheart, next month’s your birthday Will youe home for it?”
Aria said tly, “Don’t give me <b>that </b>pitiful look, Mom. It makes it seem like I’ve been living in misery since leaving you. I’ve been doing perfectly fine on my own. No need for <b>a </b>birthday celebration. I have my own circle.”
She turned and walked away without looking back.
Zoe <b>once </b>
once again dissolved into a weeping mess, while Logan’s <b>eyes </b>stung with unshed tears.
After spending a month at her parents house, Aria <b>headed </b>over to the Cole family’s residence.
They had never celebrated her birthday.
In the parking
Hannah sobbed. “Liam, I’m <b>so </b>hurt. Why doesn’t anyone believe me?”
Hannah clung to Liam, <b>her </b>face streaked with tears.
Liam <b>held </b>her in aforting embrace, his mind filled with questions.
Hannah clearly had no idea Aria <b>was </b>Professor Colton, yet she <b>insisted </b>she couldn’t say anything because she’d signed a confidentiality agreement.
Liam told her the paper didn’t <b>include </b>her name, yet she showed no surprise or <b>anger </b>as if she’d known all along.
And he began to wonder who had actually saved him.
If Aria hadn’t gone to the front lines, he’d be sure it was Hannah who saved him.
But Aria had been there too.
However, Hannah would never use the <b>harsh </b>word to scold him. But Aria <b>would</b>.
Liam closed his eyes, forcing down the doubts swirling in his mind.
There was no turning back now. He was
ready divorced Aria
houldn’t doubt Hannah’s love for him..
“it’s okay. You’ve quit, and that’s that,”
Leaning against Liam’s chest, Hannah’s eyes shed with malice.
There were still twenty–two other researchers, yet everyone only remembered Aria.
That so–called “leading the team was nothing more than giving orders. A Had clearly contributed the least.
if she had been able to enter a top–tierbs, she could have developed the inhibitor ton,
Hannah’s eyes shed with resentment.
<b>Wiping </b>away her tears, Hannah looked up at Liam and asked softly, “Do you still want to join Kerano Global Health?”
“Don’t let my quitting change your mind,” Hannah said gently. “I’ll stand by whatever you decide.”
Liam’s expression was troubled. “I don’t know”
Joining Kerano Global Health had always been his dream, but now that Hannah had left, everything felt different.
Hannah looked up at him: “Follow your heart. I’d <b>never </b>want you to regret your choice.”
Hannah was even more afraid that Liam might choose the other path. if he regretted itter, he would definitely me her, thinking her withdrawal swayed his decision and drove a wedge between them.
Liam hesitated for a <b>couple </b>of seconds before making his decision “1stwant to join Kerano Global Health. At most three years, then I’ming home.
Hannah smiled gently. “I’ll help you, I’ve already contacted a collector who owns a painting by Mono.<b>” </b>
“Thanks, Hannah<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Owen lounged on the sofa in his bathrobe, his eyes fixed on the painting hanging on the wall. He stared at it for a long time, lost in thought
<b>“</b>What if the cleaning maid identally damages the painting?” Owen worried.
He got up, took down the painting, and hung it in his bedroom instead. It was much better.
As he gazed at the painting, he couldn’t help but think of Aria.
Owen thought, <b>“</b><b>What </b>Aria’s up to right now!”
Fresh out of the shower, <b>Aria </b>contacted Patrick.
Patrick messaged. [They saw
by saw your ount bnce, <b>looks </b>like they’re really tempted]
Hundreds of billions in assets was an irresistible lure,
<b>Patrick </b><b>sent </b><b>a </b>photo <b>and </b>location
Here’s our current location and theyout.
<b>[</b>Rhett and I haven’t fully gained their trust yet
Aria replied: [GotiL]
She saved the location and the image.
A few secondster, all of Patrick’s messages vinisher retracted everything he’d just sent her.