Chapter 3
The Voyager Project-a smart bionic limb development program-had been her father’s most treasured initiative before he passed. As a lifelong philanthropist, he’d poured his heart and soul into making it a reality-determined to create affordable, high-quality prosthetics that could improve the lives of the disabled.
Even during her pregnancy, Amelia Austin had stayed involved, pushing herself to oversee progress until just before delivery. Only after seeing it stabilize did she finally let herself rest. By the time she arrived at the company, her assistant was practically drenched in sweat.
“Ms. Austin, things are a mess. Mr. Robinson’s handed everything over to Ms. Flores-we don’t have any insight into
what’s going on.”
Amelia’s expression stayed calm. “It’s fine. Take me to the executive office; I know Edmond’s computer password.”
A few minutes later, Blanche Flores rushed in and blocked her path.
“Mrs. Robinson, stop right there.” Her lips were swollen, love bites fresh on her neck, her face radiating smugness.
“You can’t go in without Mr. Robinson’s permission.”
Amelia’s face went cold. “Step aside. I worked on that project myself. I have every right to review it.”
“You’ve been out on maternity leave and haven’t touched this project in months. And now you want to waltz back in and
steal someone else’s work? Not happening.”
Unable to stop her physically, Blanche resort Auto-added to the Library ation.
Just then, Edmond arrived, clearly flustered. “Why’d you leave without me? Couldn’t you wait?”
Amelia let out a laugh-Right, like you weren’t too busy playing house with Blanche to walk out with me. She shoved a
report into his hands.
“Edmond, take a look at these numbers. The prosthetic materials we approved were all high-grade imports. Now? It’s all
swapped out for substandard junk.”
“Who authorized this change in supplier? Who’s skimming money off the top?”
Blanche had clearly cut corners, replacing components with cheap alternatives and pocketing the difference. Edmond’s brows furrowed as he scanned the data. Even he seemed rattled.
Blanche turned ashen. “It-it wasn’t Edmond’s fault. I’m sorry, Mrs. Robinson. I just wanted to make some extra money for my son…”
“If you want to blame someone, blame me alone.”
She burst into delicate tears, looking every bit the pitiful mother-enough to make Edmond’s eyes flood with sympathy.
Amelia let out a cold, sharp laugh. “Your apology means nothing. What you did borders on criminal. I’m calling the police.”
Before she could move, a tiny figure came charging toward her and slammed into her side.
“You’re a bad witch! Stop bullying my mommy! Daddy, beat her up!”
The boy’s piercing voice rang through the office. It was Finn Robinson.
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The blow made Amelia stumble with a pained gasp, her face going stark white. The employees around them all fell silent, faces stunned.
Edmond rushed to her side. “Amelia, are you okay?”
Blanche hurriedly pulled Finn back and scolded him-on the surface.
“Finn! That was so rude. Say sorry to the lady, now.”
Then she turned to Amelia. “Mrs. Robinson, if you’re upset, take it out on me. He’s just a child.”
But her eyes gleamed with triumph. Before Amelia could speak, Edmond cut in first.
“Don’t be hard on him. He’s just a kid-he doesn’t know better.” He turned to Blanche. “Take Finn home. I’ll explain things to Amelia.”
Amelia stared at Edmond, eyes locked on his.
“Explain what, exactly? That your son just called me a bad witch? Or maybe… why he calls you Dad?”
She didn’t wait for an answer. Done with their shameless charade, she turned on her heel and walked straight toward the
exit.
Edmond chased after her. “Amelia, come on. He’s just six years old. Why get worked up over a child?”
Her fists clenched at her sides.
“Six years old and already this vile? That’s not the child’s fault. That’s bad parenting. Why shouldn’t I get worked up? Unless-he’s yours?”
Edmond’s face twisted, and he snapped, “Amelia, what the hell are you saying? Of course not! I only have one child-our daughter!”
Even now, he was still lying. Amelia let out a bitter laugh, looked up at him, and asked calmly:
“Then tell me what’s our daughter’s name? You haven’t… even bothered to name her yet, have you?”
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