As Gerald stood up to leave, Joyce wanted to talk about her divorce with him.
She had just gotten to her feet when a sudden dizziness overwhelmed her. She struggled to shake her head clear and tried to regain her focus, but her steps were unsteady.
Just as she was about to collapse, Zayne rushed over and caught her in his arms.
He looked concerned and tightened his hold on her as he noticed her pallor.
"Joyce, are you okay? You look so pale. You are injured badly this time and shouldn't go to work for a few days. Let me take care of you at home."
Joyce looked up at Zayne, but the worry in his eyes didn't move her in the slightest.
His next words confirmed her suspicions as she had expected.
"But the Eagle Project can't be delayed any longer. How about letting Kacie take charge of it?"
Joyce curled her lips in self-mockery. She knew Zayne's suggestion for her to rest had ulterior motives.
He wanted to use the Eagle Project to create opportunities for Kacie and win her favor. Well, she could let him have his way. Anyway, she had the core technical documents.
She was curious to see how Kacie would finish the project without those files.
Joyce nodded at Gerald, who saw her agreement and then handed the project plan to Kacie.
Zayne finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Joyce's face grow even paler, he hurriedly took her to the hospital.
She soon lay on the hospital bed, and Zayne brought some warm chicken soup in front of her.
"Joyce, I know you're upset with me, but you're a genius engineer. The base values you highly. Even if you make mistakes, they won't punish you too harshly. But Kacie… Ms. Jenkins is different. She worked hard to earn this opportunity and hasn't yet secured her position. She can't afford any punishment."
Joyce stared at Zayne and suddenly burst into laughter.
Just because she had the fame of a genius, did that mean she deserved all this?
What about all her efforts? She had spent countless days and nights in the lab. She had read the books and conducted a lot of experiments to achieve everything.
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She pointed towards the door and said in a voice laden with pain, "Get out of here. I can't bear to see you right now."
Zayne was stunned by Joyce's uncharacteristic defiance. She had always been obedient to him before. A look of disbelief crossed his face.
He tried to speak but said nothing.
As he was about to leave, he paused, seemingly remembering something. "I've organized a party for Kacie to celebrate. Make sure you attend it."
His commanding tone made Joyce's tears flow uncontrollably once more. She looked up at the ceiling and held them back.
She wouldn't allow herself to cry for Zayne again.
Joyce didn't want to attend the party. She wanted to go home.
But as she reached the door, she heard the sounds of a lively gathering inside.
Through the window, she saw her colleagues at the base raising their glasses to toast Kacie, who stood in a white dress. They were congratulating her on leading such an important project at a young age.
Joyce had been calm, but it ached once more.
Zayne had actually arranged the celebration at their home.
She pressed her lips together tightly and was about to push open the door when someone stopped her.
"Ms. Holt, you're not on the list of the guests. Captain Miller said that those not on the list can't enter."
Joyce found it utterly absurd. "This is my home, and I can't go in?"
The security guard at the door smiled awkwardly but still closed the door firmly. He blocked her path and seemed to be afraid she might force her way in.
Joyce clenched her fists and watched through the glass as Zayne, dressed in a white suit, walked over to Kacie.
He was like the most loyal guard and gazed at Kacie with tender affection. "Kacie, may I have this dance?"
Amidst the cheerful noise, Kacie smiled slightly and placed her hand in Zayne's.
At that moment, the door burst open with a bang. Joyce stood there with a sarcastic smile as she looked at the hand-holding pair.