Chapter 35 I Want to Break Up with You
Wentworth sat in the back row of the R&D team, surrounded by members quietly discussing industry terminology and equipment details. Only he kept his head down, absorbed in technical materials with a focused yet distant expression that set him apart from the others—that aloof, steady quality mixed with an untouchable aura made it hard to ignore his presence.
Adalyn whispered to Reuben, "So Matilda's boyfriend works in R&D."
Reuben paused. "I heard people who get into teams like this are all top-tier, highly educated talent."
"Really?" Adalyn raised an eyebrow.
"Of course. At least master's degree holders, and graduates from elite universities at that."
"Then these people must make good money, right?"
Reuben nodded. "I have a classmate on this team. He's just a basic-level employee doing document management, and his first-year salary was over three hundred thousand dollars. If he works a few years and gets promoted, he could make over five hundred thousand."
Adalyn clicked her tongue softly.
That meant Wentworth's annual salary was at least six hundred thousand dollars, right? No wonder he could afford a luxury apartment downtown and give his girlfriend a Land Rover.
She unconsciously loosened her grip on Reuben's arm.
After the presentation ended, they moved into the networking and tour phase—this was when social skills were truly tested.
Adalyn held a champagne glass, leading Reuben to toast several big names in the medical field.
Reuben was somewhat stiff—after all, he was just an ordinary doctor who wasn't good at small talk, so others only offered polite greetings before turning to other people.
He felt a bit dejected.
Seeing him like this, Adalyn just felt he was "dead weight." She turned around and spotted a group of foreign businessmen gathered around Wentworth.
This launch had attracted quite a few overseas buyers planning to purchase this new life detection device for resale back home. Technical questions had to be answered by R&D personnel.
And the questions they were asking happened to be right in Wentworth's area of expertise.
Adalyn was amazed to discover that Wentworth not only communicated fluently in English but could switch effortlessly between several other languages, even using fluent Luscaran at one point to explain the device's core modules.
She was completely stunned.
Handsome, technically skilled, capable—this version of Wentworth instantly made Reuben pale in comparison.
In every aspect, Wentworth was leagues above Reuben.
Just then, Reuben approached. "Addie, that director from Serenity Health Center you introduced me to—I heard he used to be a legend in surgery. I want to ask him a few questions."
However, Adalyn directly shook off his hand.
Reuben froze—Adalyn had been so enthusiastic when they arrived. Why was she suddenly turning cold?
"Ben, you're almost thirty. If you want to ask someone questions, go do it yourself. Don't make me hold your hand. Constantly leading you around makes people think I'm babysitting my little brother."
Her tone was completely unkind.
Reuben's expression immediately darkened.
But he had his pride too. Since Adalyn put it that way, he had no choice but to go over by himself.
The director of Serenity Health Center was surrounded by many people. Reuben waited a long time for a chance to speak, but got nervous and forgot what he wanted to say. Seeing him stammer, the director turned back to continue his conversation with others.
Reuben felt even more frustrated.
He wanted to find Adalyn for some comfort, but when he looked around the hall, he saw—Adalyn standing beside Wentworth, her gaze clearly filled with admiration and flirtation.
Once Wentworth finished his exchange with the foreign businessmen, Adalyn immediately sidled up with a coquettish air. "Mr. Gonzaga, you're so impressive! By the way, do you remember me?"
Wentworth looked up and recognized who she was—Matilda's nemesis, the one who'd tried to set Matilda up with some unreliable Ray just last week.
He said coldly, "No."
"I'm from Harmony Health Center, Dr. Spencer's colleague. Dr. Spencer is really something—so many hospital events, and she never brings you along. If I hadn't come today, I never would have known you speak four foreign languages."
Wentworth couldn't be bothered to respond.
In fact, he spoke more than four languages—adding several minor ones, he knew eight languages total, even more impressive than those multilingual tour guides featured in the news.
"Mr. Gonzaga, next week our hospital has a celebration event that's actually related to Dr. Spencer—she helped us secure an advanced piece of equipment. Would you like to come? You can bring family members."
Wentworth found her annoying, and since the foreign buyers had already left, he felt his task was complete. So he turned and headed for the exit.
Adalyn hurried after him. "If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes! Where are you going now?"
Reuben watched this scene unfold, feeling like he'd been punched in the chest.
He knew exactly what Adalyn's behavior meant—at the hospital, who didn't know she changed boyfriends faster than she changed clothes? At least clothes lasted a few months; none of her boyfriends made it past three months.
But he couldn't bear to lose Adalyn, so he quickly chased after them.
"Addie, where are you going?" Reuben grabbed her hand.
Adalyn shook him off. "Let go."
"I won't let you leave."
Seeing Wentworth about to disappear, Adalyn shoved Reuben hard. "Reuben, I'm unilaterally declaring that we're broken up!"
Reuben was pushed backward, stumbling into a server carrying a tray of red wine. Several glasses crashed to the floor, the sharp sound of shattering glass particularly jarring in the venue, wine spilling everywhere.
The noise drew everyone's attention.
Everyone looked over to see Adalyn and Reuben struggling.
Reuben was both embarrassed and furious, his voice unable to contain his anger. "Adalyn, are you going after someone else's boyfriend? Do you just love stealing other people's men?"
Adalyn sneered. "Yeah, so what? Who told you that you can't measure up to him in any way? Reuben, that twenty thousand I helped you with for your car—I don't want it back. Consider it a breakup fee!"
"You..." Reuben raised his hand as if to hit her, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it.
There were too many people here, and Adalyn was the director's daughter—if he actually struck her, his days at the hospital would be over.
His eyes reddened, voice trembling. "Fine. You chased after me originally, I dumped such a great girlfriend for you, and it turns out you were just playing with me..."
Adalyn ignored him and rushed out alone to find Wentworth. But there was no trace of Wentworth outside.
Back in the venue, several cleaning staff were sweeping up glass shards and mopping wine stains.
Reuben sat to the side, muttering in a daze, looking completely lost.
People around whispered, "Who is that guy?"