Giving Up Research Rights Left Her Broke

Travis had only attended a few meetings with Vanessa, and yet he effortlessly took credit for everything I had done.

Even the meetings he sat in were based entirely on my plans. All he did was read them out loud.

As I recalled this, I realized Vanessa was truly heartless.

With all that had happened, she had burned away the last trace of any marital bond between us.

I nodded numbly and said nonchalantly, “Fine. I’ll step aside.”

A hint of triumph flashed across Travis’ eyes, but he protested, “No, it shouldn’t be this way. I’m just a newcomer. I’m hardly qualified to handle domestic and international product development.

“I just heard that Stephen has been working on this product for almost a year, and it still isn’t finalized. I just wanted to help out a bit.”

Vanessa gently patted Travis’ shoulder. “Travis, don’t underestimate yourself. You studied at a top university, you were top of your class, and your major fits perfectly. No one else is as qualified as you!”

I almost laughed out loud when I heard what she said.

I knew Travis had no real skills at all. His so-called education was merely a degree he bought with money.

Only Vanessa treated him like he was a treasure.

Once she had reassured him, she turned back to belittle me, “Stephen, you’ve been working on this product for so long, and we still haven’t seen the results. Isn’t that because you aren’t capable enough?

“You can’t do anything right. I’ve been kind enough not to fire you! You should learn from Travis and stop causing me trouble.”

I secretly let out a sigh.

Vanessa probably forgot that she relied on me for every single decision in the company back then. She depended on me for absolutely everything.

Now that the company was on track, she began to believe she could do everything herself and wanted to shove me aside.

She droned on, spittle flying as she went on a tirade.

I took a deep breath and walked straight toward Travis.

The employees around us kept glancing back and forth, wearing expressions of eager curiosity.

It was as though they were sure I would be throwing punches at Travis at the next second.

However, I stopped in front of him with a smile and pulled out my chief's badge from my bag.

I handed it to Travis and said earnestly, “R&D is exhausting. I’ll let you be the chief.”

In an instant, the employees who had been waiting for drama looked shocked.

They thought I had finally lost it.

Everyone knew how much effort I had poured into this product, even how carefully I had trained the team.

Vanessa’s voice immediately turned colder as she stared at Travis holding the badge. “Stephen, what exactly are you doing?”

Strangely, I could hear a hint of displeasure in her tone.

I had just handed Travis a huge gift. She should be happy about it.

Letting Travis take all the credit and removing every barrier for him—was this not exactly what Vanessa wanted?

Travis gripped the badge tightly, like he was afraid I would take it back. He finally tore his greedy eyes away from it and gave me a troubled look and said, “Stephen, are you mad? Is that why you’re giving me the chief position?

“Please don’t misunderstand. Vanessa just wanted me to come over and help you out. It’s for the good of the company.

“I’ve never thought of replacing you. I can’t take this badge.”

He reached out, trying to return the badge to me.

Yet he moved like a snail, clearly unwilling to let go of this windfall.