There was a lot of discussion in the audience and no one spoke for me as if I were their enemy.

Luke nodded with satisfaction after listening and his eyes fell on me. "Did you hear that? Demi, you are old and ugly. Your image is too bad. It is not conducive to the development of the company."

He pulled Caroline closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "But look at Caroline. So youthful, so radiant, breathtakingly beautiful. And with the added title of a beautiful research scientist, she's the best publicity!"

Luke looked at me with disdain. "Tell me yourself, be honest. If you had to choose, who would you pick?"

Since when did this world become ruled by looks?

Besides, I simply hadn't bothered to dress up and yes, I was a little worn out. How did that suddenly make me 'old and ugly'?

And who was it that caused this weariness in the first place?

Caroline sweetly held my hand and said delicately, "Demi, I don't want this either, but we must consider the company. Can't you just be reasonable?"

I glared at her, but before I could speak, she suddenly yelped and collapsed to the floor.

"Demi, how could you do this?"

"You're being so unreasonable! This is such an important celebratory party. How could you resort to violence?"

Caroline began to cry.

Luke quickly crouched down, helping Caroline before pulling her into his embrace.

"Demi, enough!"

Luke pointed at me, his hand trembling with anger. He was hurting for her.

"Enough?"

I gave a cold laugh. "Luke, this new drug is my research and development. No one can take that away from me! Do you want me to choose? Choose what? Are you holding a beauty pageant for your concubines, Luke?"

"Shut your mouth! I'm doing this for the good of the company!"

Luke's eyes widened in fury, his whole face contorting. "Do you know how to handle lawsuits? Do you understand how to promote this new drug? You know nothing! Just shut your mouth and listen to me!"

"Look at your appearance! That haute couture dress hangs loosely on you, your hair is dry and brittle and your face is haggard!"

"How am I supposed to use someone like you for publicity? Tell patients you're the researcher? Who would buy the drug then?"

"But look at Caroline. She's beautiful, dignified and approachable. If we say she developed the new drug, the promotional effect will be much better!"

Luke was practically roaring.

"The best promotion for a drug has always been its efficacy, not someone's looks."

I didn't want to argue anymore. Instead, I picked up the microphone and looked at the people below the stage. "My team and I developed the new drug from Santherion Pharmaceuticals. No one can steal that credit!"

With that, I turned and walked away.

"How can she be like this?"

"So what if she developed a drug? No matter how many drugs she develops, she's still not as beautiful as Miss Lake."

"Isn't she just trying to steal the spotlight?"

"I think she is just jealous of Miss Lake. After all, Miss Lake is so beautiful and looks more like Mrs. Jackson than she does."

"Ugly people indeed cause the most trouble, haha!"

I ignored the insults because their words no longer had any power over me.

They only had the power to hurt me when I still held illusions about Luke.

But at this moment, I had completely given up on Luke and had already decided what I needed to do next.

Therefore, their words meant nothing to me.

I walked out of the party hall and hailed a taxi but didn't know where to go.

I have spent almost all my time in the lab for the past five years.

I had wanted so badly to go home. But now, that home didn't feel like mine anymore.

Ultimately, I asked the driver to take me back to my old university.

Standing beneath the familiar experimental building, I looked up at the laboratory on the top floor, the one from my student days.

My senior colleague told me a woman like me shouldn't look for someone outside the industry. It was better to find someone within the circle. Otherwise, problems were bound to arise.

Maybe he was right.

I sighed and turned to leave.

"Demi Jackson?"

A warm voice called out from behind me.

I turned around and saw someone stepping out of the shadows.

He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, with his left hand in his pocket and a cigarette between the fingers of his right. His hair was a bit long and messy, falling haphazardly.

"Zack?"

My heart seemed to skip a beat, then started racing.

We last saw each other just a few days ago when he helped me tackle a challenging problem.

But it felt like ages since I'd last seen him and seeing him again made me feel a little flustered and nervous.

Zack Gordon nodded with a smile. He had that dangerously handsome look, slightly sickly but tall and strong. Not even the white shirt could hide his defined muscles.

"Isn't today your celebration party?"

Zack walked up to me, his voice gentle.

I sighed, gave a wry smile and waved my hand. "Zack, let's talk some other time. I need to go home and deal with something."

I didn't want to burden anyone else with my bad mood.

Zack didn't press me. He just smiled and said, "Call me anytime if you need help."

Back home.

I saw the crooked high heels at the entrance.

They weren't mine.

Inside the living room, I could hear a woman's voice.

"Luke, don't do this. What if she comes back?"

"Does she even have the nerve to come back?"

I saw the two of them tangled together on the couch.

Caroline saw me first and let out a shriek. She scrambled off Luke and curled up, hugging her knees as she started to cry.

Despite the tears, the smirk tugging at her lips was pure provocation.

Luke was also a little flustered, but his eyes had more hatred. "You still have the face to come back, huh? You came back without making any sound. Look how scared you are of Caroline!"

I said nothing. I walked over to the liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of red wine. Later, I poured myself a glass and calmly said, "Get ready, Luke. We're getting a divorce."

"Divorce?"

Luke snapped, "Do you know what you're saying? Isn't this all because of you? It's been five years and you've barely come home. I have needs too, you know? What did you expect me to do?"

"So, have I found other men in these five years?

I took a sip of wine, smiling as I asked. I wasn't angry anymore.

It wasn't worth wasting emotions on these two.

"I don't agree to a divorce!"

"Let me tell you, Demi Jackson, marriage is marriage and love is love!" Luke roared.

"Caroline has agreed that she doesn't need to marry me," he continued.

"You will always be Mrs. Stephens, but you can't interfere with me and Caroline!"

"That's how things are going to be from now on. Do you understand?"

Luke spoke as if he were issuing a royal decree.

He'd never been this bold before.

Had playing chairman for too long made him forget who he really was?

I shook my head. "No long speeches. Just two words, 'getting a divorce.'"

With that, I turned to leave.

Luke's furious voice came from behind me. "Demi, if you want a divorce, I'll make sure you leave with nothing. You'll lose everything!"

"Then I'll see you at the board meeting tomorrow."

I said, leaving those words behind as I walked out the door.