A Box Marked Only Trash

From large dolls to small, handmade trinkets, everything was a gift from him and Glen.

He scoffed. "I thought you were tough. Talking about leaving, yet you're packing up all this junk? Aria, you're pathetic."

He was so focused on humiliating me that he didn't see the word "TRASH" scrawled in bold black marker on the side of the box.

Natalie, standing by, shot me a disdainful look before turning to Clark, her voice coquettish.

"Glen already booked a table to celebrate me getting the offer from the Vanguard Research Institute. Let's hurry and get changed. We can't keep him waiting."

Clark stroked her hair, his expression softening with adoration.

Natalie blushed, then glanced back at me.

"Aria, don't get the wrong idea. They're just celebrating me getting the job. They don't have any other feelings for me. We're all family here."

Hearing this, Clark glanced at me. He saw no reaction.

He impatiently pulled Natalie closer.

"Why are you wasting your breath on her? She's a nobody with no job and a ruined reputation. From now on, she'll have to survive on our charity."

After that, they ignored me, changed their clothes, and left.

The next day, while I was out getting my visa processed, I ran into a colleague from the institute, Ryan Cole.

Seeing the passport in my hand, he looked surprised.

"I thought you'd back down after what happened yesterday. I didn't expect you to actually agree to go to Zurich. That project is a real grind."

The overseas assignment from Vanguard was grueling. I'd been hesitant, unwilling to sever the bonds of my childhood.

But now, I had to look out for myself. There was nothing left for me in that house.

I had to discuss a few things with Professor Davies, so I went to the institute with Ryan after getting my papers in order.

At the entrance, we ran into Natalie and the others.

When Glen saw me, his brow furrowed, his tone sharp with reprimand.

"Aria, didn't you promise me you'd give up the spot? What are you doing here? Are you going back on your word?"

"Professor Davies has been very good to me," I replied, not wanting to cause a scene. "I just wanted to apologize to her in person."

But Natalie wouldn't let it go.

"The institute is only hiring one person this year. It's not a place for just anyone. Professor Davies and I just met, and she was very pleased with me."

She waved the documents in her hand.

Ryan, standing beside me, couldn't stomach her attitude.

"The institute hires based on ability, but also on character. Every researcher here is an elite who has passed a rigorous selection process, not someone who got in through connections."

Color flared in Natalie's cheeks.

Glen, looking displeased, stepped in front of her.

"Aria, when did you start associating with people like this? Make him apologize to Natalie. Now."

I stared at Glen, dumbfounded by his audacity.

"This is the institute's chief virologist, Ryan Cole. He's also one of the lead researchers on the very project you 'sponsored.' You want him to apologize?"

Hearing this, Natalie quickly pasted on a smile and extended her hand.

"Oh, Dr. Cole, it's an honor. I've heard so much about you. My name is Natalie Reed. I'll be your colleague from now on."

But Ryan didn't even glance at her, completely ignoring her outstretched hand. He turned to me and said gently, "Let's go, Aria. The professor is waiting."

With that, he swiped his keycard and led me into the high-security internal area.

Natalie froze, stomping her foot in a fit of rage.

Glen's eyes followed me as I walked away, his expression unreadable. Then he calmly took out his phone and made a call.

"The plan is still on, but I need it fast. I want it on GossipWire's front page within half an hour. The more sensational the headline, the better."