Chapter 4

I left without packing a single belonging.

Just as empty-handed as the day I first arrived in this city.

Julian wasted no time. He called an emergency board meeting and announced that he was taking full control over all R&D.

He also hired Serena on a massive salary as his executive assistant.

The plaque highlighting my bio in the lobby was quietly taken down.

Julian paraded Serena around to every high-profile event, sparking rumors across social media.

"Wait, didn't CEO Vance claim it was 'till death do us part' with his founder girlfriend?"

"Figures. Men get rich, men get trashy."

Julian didn't even hide it. Using his verified account, he replied directly to the comment:

"Consider me dead, then."

Business partners sent me private messages, asking what happened.

I ignored every single one.

Almost overnight, they became the tech scene's hottest golden couple.

Miles away in my quiet coastal hometown, I saw his smug face on Bloomberg and CNBC every single day.

My phone stayed completely silent. Aside from my parents, the only person who reached out was Julian's father.

"Stella, you need to look forward. Julian's career is peaking right now; don't drag him down with unnecessary drama.

Your little tech skills only mattered because our company gave you a platform. People need to show gratitude."

"You and Julian are done. Shouldn't you voluntarily surrender your forty percent founder shares?

For old time's sake, the company is willing to buy them back at nominal value.

It's best for you, and best for the business."

Gripping the phone, I nearly laughed out loud.

"Mr. Vance," I asked quietly.

"Do you know why I named the system Centrum?"

Silence hung on the line.

"In the game of Go, Centrum is the absolute center of the board.

Command the center, control the four corners.

That system was the very first gift I ever gave Julian.

I truly believed he was the center of my universe."

A cold, impatient snort came through the receiver.

"What's the point of bringing up the past?

Stella, be smart about this.

Without you, Centrum is only going to scale higher.

Don't turn this into an ugly scene where everyone loses face."

"Fine," I replied softly.

"I'll do as you say."

I hung up, watching the last sliver of warmth in my chest freeze over.

On the day of Centrum 2.0's global launch,

Julian rented out the largest convention hall in the city.

He invited hundreds of international tech reporters and thousands of industry elites.

At eight sharp in the evening, the keynote officially kicked off.

Beneath the blinding spotlights, Julian looked radiant, practically glowing with arrogance.

He talked passionately about our shared dreams, waxing poetic about the grind of entrepreneurship.

Then he paused, looking down at Serena in the front row with utter adoration.

"Tonight, I also want to take this moment to introduce the most important person in my life.

My muse, my partner, and my fiancée—Serena Brooks!"

The crowd gasped in excitement.

Blushing delicately, Serena walked onto the stage and fell into Julian's arms.

The golden boy and his perfect muse. A match made in heaven.

Guests throughout the auditorium began whispering in admiration.

Just as Julian reached out to initiate the live demo, I stepped slowly out from the crowd.

"Hold on."

I smiled.

"Such a massive milestone... why didn't anyone invite me?

Didn't we promise never to miss each other's biggest moments?"

Julian and Serena froze on stage.

I glanced down at the smartphone in his hand.

"Take a look at my wedding gift to both of you."

The second the words left my mouth, every single phone in the hall went pitch black.