Chapter 3

I couldn't care less and told Hailey to go ahead and sue me.

If that slap was domestic abuse, what she and Jaxon had done could easily pass as attempted murder. I clearly told them that I was allergic to lilies, yet they forced me into contact with the allergen anyway.

That was pure, malicious intent.

After I was discharged, I stayed home on medical leave to recover. Hailey started getting restless and ordered me back to work, threatening to mark it as absenteeism if I didn't show up.

I had never responded well to threats or being pushed around, so I just ignored her.

She eventually softened her attitude again, just to get me back to work and cut the company's losses.

One day, she got off work early and cooked a meal for me. The table was full of my favorite hot, spicy dishes, and they tasted pretty decent.

I decided to show her some grace and enjoy the meal. Just as I was about to lay things out and talk about ending our relationship on good terms, Jaxon called.

Hailey picked it up right in front of me and accidentally put it on speaker. His voice came through the phone.

"Ms. Miller, did Mr. Chase enjoy the pre-made meals I bought? If he's still upset, I can come over and apologize to him. I'll do anything for work."

She shot me a guilty look and lowered her voice, stammering a reply, "H-he thinks they're okay, and don't worry about it. You shouldn't have to suffer for him."

I let out a cold laugh. Did she think I was dead?

Then, I called her out on the spot. "Wow, talk about zero sincerity. I can't believe you're feeding me pre-made meals."

Hailey froze and looked at me, flustered. "You know I can't cook. Pre-made meals can still taste good, right?"

I set my utensils down, having lost my appetite in an instant.

Couldn't she have told me the truth? It was such a waste of time.

"I can go back to work, only if you and Jaxon both apologize to me."

Hailey's expression immediately darkened, and she flipped the table over in a rage. "Don't push your luck, Landon. Don't think I can't survive without you!"

I just gave her a cold smile. It wasn't that she couldn't survive without me, but rather that the company couldn't—not unless she was willing to walk away from the project I had developed.

She had poured too much money into it that the sunk costs were staggering. That gave me all the leverage I needed to set my own terms.

"I'm not the one pushing my luck. If anything, I'm the one doing you a favor. You and Jaxon nearly killed me, and an apology is the least you owe me. You could both end up in prison if I decide to press charges."

Hailey was at a loss for words, and her expression was grim.

Meanwhile, shareholders and executives started piling on the pressure in the office group chat again. The project was stalled, yet the technical team's staffing and equipment maintenance were draining the accounts.

Some shareholders decided to pull out their investments to cut their losses, while core executives were handing in their resignations.

Hailey panicked and shot me a look of bitter resentment. "You want an apology, don't you? Fine! I apologize, and I'm sorry. Is that enough for you to come back to work?"

I couldn't accept such a hollow apology, so I marched into my room, locked the door, and shut her out. While she agitatedly pounded on the door, I put on my headphones and listened to music, acting like I couldn't hear anything.

Half an hour later, she sent me a long message.

"I'm so sorry, Landon. I sincerely apologize. I've called Jaxon over, too. Open the door so he can apologize to you."

I opened the door to find Jaxon on his knees. It seemed like he was really going all out.

"It was all my fault, Mr. Chase. I had no idea you were allergic to lilies, and I shouldn't have accepted Ms. Miller's gift. I'll return it. If you still can't stand the sight of me, I'll resign."

His eyes were red-rimmed, as if he had suffered great injustice.

Hailey looked like her heart ached for him, but she didn't stop him from kneeling either.

I agreed to return to work since they looked sincere right now.

But Jaxon only managed to behave for one day. The next day, he cornered me in the office restroom and started provoking me.

"You're just a tech geek. Do you honestly think the company can't run without you? Ms. Miller is interviewing new candidates, and Michael just got his hands on all your technical blueprints, so pack your bags and leave!

"The company and Hailey will only be mine!"