Chapter 4

After the meeting ended, Wanda called me to her office.

The moment the door shut, she started shouting furiously.

"Enzo! What the hell was that?

"You did that on purpose, didn't you? You wanted to humiliate me in front of the investors!"

She swept everything off her desk in one motion.

"You embarrassed Chris! Do you even know how hard he's worked?"

I looked at her furious expression. She felt like a stranger.

'Hard work? Did he work hard to steal someone else's work?'

I said nothing and just watched her coldly.

My indifference and silence only fueled her rage.

She stormed up to me and pointed a finger at my face.

"I'm giving you an ultimatum!

"Apologize to Mr. Lionel and the others right now! Tell them you weren't in your right mind today!

"Then go apologize to Chris! Beg for his forgiveness!

"Otherwise, I'll replace you with Chris as the lead for Phase Two of Nord Ark!"

She thought this was still my weak spot.

She thought my life's work was something she could use to control me.

She believed that with this threat, I would obediently submit like before.

She looked at me. Her eyes were full of arrogant certainty.

She was waiting for me to give in and beg for mercy like I always did.

I looked at her expression that had turned awry from rage.

Suddenly, I laughed.

It wasn't a sneer or snort out of mockery.

It was genuine laughter born of relief.

"Sure," I said softly.

Wanda froze.

She clearly hadn't expected that response.

In her mind, I should've been furious or desperate.

I wasn't supposed to be this calm or accepting of her absurd demands.

I didn't say another word.

I turned around, opened the door, and walked out.

Behind me, a satisfied smile slowly appeared on her face.

She thought I had caved.

She thought I couldn't let go of Nord Ark or our company.

She thought she had won again.

I heard her reaching for her phone and sending Chris a voice message.

"Chris, Phase Two is yours.

"Watch how I deal with him."

I walked through the glass doors and looked up at the sky.

The sunlight was a little harsh, but to me, it was the brightest day I had seen in five years.

All this should've ended long ago.

The next morning, Wanda and Chris walked confidently into the company's largest conference room.

They were there to launch Phase Two of the Nord Ark system.

As the new project lead, Chris was ready to unveil his grand vision.

Wanda sat at the head of the table. She scanned the room with a victor's smile.

But as time ticked by, the room remained mostly empty. There were only the two of them and a few admin staff from other departments.

No one from the core Nord Ark project team showed up.

Wanda's expression darkened.

She picked up her phone. She was about to call and demand answers.

At that moment, the door opened.

My assistant, Zac, walked in.

His expression was stern as he walked up to the table.

He slammed a thick stack of documents and a lawyer's letter onto it.

That made a loud thud.

Wanda and Chris both flinched.

"Zac, what are you doing? Where's Enzo?" Wanda demanded.

Zac adjusted his glasses. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried across the room clearly.

"Ms. Lynch, this is the collective resignation letter of the Nord Ark core technical team. Thirty members in total.

"Mr. Underwood and the rest of us officially resigned yesterday."

He paused and pointed to the legal letter.

"As for this legal letter, it states that all ownership and intellectual property rights of the Nord Ark system belong solely to Mr. Underwood.

"Your company is currently suspected of serious infringement. Please cease all usage immediately, or we will pursue legal action.

"For further matters, our lawyers will be in touch."

With that, Zac turned around and left. The room was left in absolute silence.

Wanda and Chris were completely shocked and flabbergasted.