Giving Up Research Rights Left Her Broke

Travis shuffled slowly toward the door, clearly reluctant to leave.

Vanessa grabbed his arm and said in a gentle voice, “Travis, don’t go. This has nothing to do with you.”

Then, she turned around and lashed out at me, “Stephen, you’re being ridiculously petty! If you keep this up, then we should just get a divorce!”

When I did not respond right away, Vanessa actually lifted her chin, thinking that I was going to back down again.

It was not the first time she had used divorce as a threat.

When did it start?

It was probably around six months ago when Travis came back.

Almost every major fight we had was because of him, and every time, Vanessa would threaten me with divorce.

Back then, I loved her like my life depended on it. The very mention of divorce used to feel like a looming disaster.

I was afraid she would really walk away, so I kept lowering myself, begging her to forgive me.

However, Vanessa really was a fool. Did she not understand that doing this would only push away the one person who loved her most?

It was just like what was happening at this moment. After being hounded by her again and again, the word no longer stirred anything in me.

If anything, it felt like finally setting down a burden I had been carrying for far too long.

Getting a divorce honestly sounded like the perfect way to free myself from her and finally start my own life.

The expression on my face must have looked bad, because Vanessa assumed her words had struck a nerve. She lifted her chin arrogantly and said, “I don’t really want to divorce you. As long as you apologize to Travis—”

I cut her off immediately, “Stop. I agree to the divorce.”

Vanessa’s eyes flew wide open. She parted her lips but was unable to force out a single word for what felt like ages.

Travis jumped in quickly, “Even if she’s throwing a tantrum, you can’t joke about divorce!”

Before he could finish, I threw a printed divorce agreement right at her face.

“I’m not joking. This is the divorce agreement. Sign it.”

Only then did Vanessa realize I was serious. She clenched her teeth and pointed at me. “Stephen, you’ve really got guts! Fine! I’ll sign it. Whoever chickens out later will have to come back begging.”

However, Travis snatched the papers away and said, “Vanessa, calm down.”

Then, he turned to look at me. “Stephen, at least think about your future. If you divorce her now, what will you do?”

I knew exactly what he was doing. He was trying to belittle me and make me believe everything I had was thanks to Vanessa.

That way, I would stay in the company and break my back working for them.

Vanessa smirked proudly. “Stephen, don’t flatter yourself. Fine, leave my company. Like anyone else would want someone who brings absolutely nothing to the table.

“Even the project you’re so proud of has been handed over to Travis.”

Travis pretended to be modest. “I can handle supervising a few people. Vanessa, you can just sit back and wait for the money to roll in.”

While the two of them were basking in their little fantasy, Vanessa’s phone suddenly rang. She pulled it out, raising her brows at me.

“Look at that, the team overseas is calling me. At this rate, I might even open a branch office soon!”

She deliberately put the call on the speaker to show off.

A cold voice came through. “Please come to our headquarters immediately. There’s a five-million-dollar compensation payment you need to wire to us. Don’t waste our time.”