Chapter 22
Scarlett’s hand froze midair, fork hovering over her plate.
The aerospace base was supposed to be cut off from the outside world. They shouldn’t contact anyone beyond these walls to prevent classified information from leaking.
But complete isolation was unrealistic. If they had no Internet access at all, there would be not way to unwind, and people would lose their minds.
So, though researchers weren’t allowed to post online, they could still browse the news and even order things online. Any deliveries had to go through a security checkpoint before being distributed. Because of that, Scarlett had seen all of Harrison’s public declarations of love online.
Her coworkers were now eyeing her with curiosity.
“Scarlett, you know, his fiancée left around the same time you got here. Except she went abroad, and you came to this base.‘
“Yeah, if no one explained, I’d think you were his fiancée.”
Laughter rippled through the group.
Scarlett forced a small smile. “There are plenty of people in the world with the same name.
The researchers here weren’t particularly close.
Other than Melanie, who had seen her file and knew her background, no one else had a clue that Scarlett was the heiress of the illustrious Yeager family.
Not that they’d ever suspect it. In their minds, what kind of rich heiress would walk away from a life of luxury just to bury herself in a grueling research facility?
So, when Scarlett brushed it off, no one doubted her. They simply carried on, gossiping about the latest Internet drama.
Later that night, as Scarlett and Melanie were reviewing data, Melanie finally spoke up, Scarlett, you never talked about it, but I could tell. You came here because your fiancé broke your heart, right? He seems to regret it now. Are you sure you don’t want to
go back?”
She hesitated, then added, “Technically, we can’t leave until the project ends, but if you submit a special request, it’s not impossible.”
Scarlett didn’t even pause. “I’m not leaving.”
She lifted her head to look at Melanie and said calmly, “Maybe he really regrets it, but that doesn’t matter. I didn’t come here to spite him or hide from him. I came here to chase my dream.”
Yes, Scarlett had seerreverything Harrison had said, but she didn’t care.
So what if the Harrison of this life realized he loved her now? Even if every word he said this time was sincere, what difference did it make?
A love that arrived too late was worth less than dirt. No matter how much he regretted it, nothing could erase what he had done to her in this life, let alone the scars fro
the last.
Scarlett had no reason to give up anything for man like that. She had come here to pursue her dream, not for anyone else.
In this life, she was going to live for herself.
Melanie was stunned by Scarlett’s words. In the end, she gave an awkward nod. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have assumed. I’m sorry.”
And with that, Scarlett’s life at the base went on as usual. She threw herself into research: As she watched their project advance little by little, she was happier than anyone else.
Time flew by. Before she knew it, three years had passed.
That day, just as Scarlett was leaving the lab, she ran into one of the senior officials, Benjamin Hall.
“Scarlett!” He grabbed her arm. “There’s a donor appreciation banquet tonight. Come with us.
Scarlett frowned. “I don’t think so. I’m just a researcher. Handling external affairs isn’t my responsibility.”
Benjamin waved a hand dismissively. “No need to be modest. We all know you’re the Yeager family’s only heir. You’re more familiar with these events than any of us old academics. Just come with us.”
Scarlett had no choice but to follow the senior officials to the banquet.
The moment she stepped inside and spotted Harrison in a suit, she froze. Harrison shot to his feet, eyes lighting up with pure joy. “Scarlett!”
