Chapter 4

I could tell that Terence was feeling guilty. His voice was barely above a whisper when he mumbled, "Rebecca's right. I didn't want to have kids with you. I have the right to decide since I'm the head of the family."

I burst out laughing as the last traces of my hesitation melted away.

Since Terence had the right to decide whether he wanted to have children with me and cheat on me, I also had the right to destroy Gilded Ages.

"Fine," I spat as I hurled my work ID to the ground. "Let's go to the courthouse when you're free. I'll give my blessings to the two of you!"

Terence and Rebecca exchanged ecstatic looks.

"No need to wait. I brought the divorce papers with me."

Terence rummaged through his bag and handed me the document.

I quickly scanned through the contents. "There's something wrong with the division of properties. What do you mean, I'm only entitled to one million dollars? Is this a joke?"

Terence shrank back a little at my furious tone. He hastily said, "Sign the papers now if you agree to the terms. I'll transfer the money to you immediately. If you refuse to sign, we'll just have to settle this in court—that is, if you don't mind getting ridiculed.

"Hurry up and decide. Don't get in the way of Becca's and my romantic getaway."

Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. I felt sick to my stomach.

I knew that Terence and Rebecca would drag my name through the mud if we did go to court, so I made my decision then and there.

"Fine. I'll sign."

My colleagues felt indignant on my behalf. Their resentment was practically oozing off them in waves.

"You shouldn't sign! You're definitely entitled to much more than that. It's obvious that they're trying to take advantage of you. Don't fall for their schemes, Lily!"

"I'll quit if they fire you, Lily. I'll go with you!"

Terence's temper exploded upon hearing them voice their displeasure at my unfair treatment.

"Have you lost your mind? I'm your boss! You have no right to criticize me! Are you going to give up on a free trip and a raise?"

Unfortunately, Terence's words not only failed to silence them, but they also had the opposite effect of stoking the flames of their animosity even more.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing.

It seemed that Terence had forgotten the important fact that his employees were people, not his pets.

"That's enough," I said. "No more talk about leaving. I'm getting old. Also, there's no reason for you to reject a free raise. I'm glad that we got to work together for the past few years. We still have a long future ahead of us, so we'll definitely meet again!"

Three of the employees I had personally trained began crying upon hearing my words. A university student who recently joined us also had reddened eyes.

"Are you getting on the bus or not? If you don't want to enjoy a free vacation, then you'll just have to stay behind and work. I don't have time to waste on you!"

To show her loyalty, Kate was the first to board the bus. Although many of the employees were frustrated with the mistreatment that I was forced to endure, they needed their jobs to survive. They slowly got onto the bus, one by one.

They wore matching expressions of reluctance as they waved at me from the bus.

Terence rolled his eyes at me after he transferred one million dollars into my account. He then led Rebecca toward his car.

I shot one last look at Gilded Ages' sign. I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't miss the shop.

However, I had made up my mind.

Besides, I was also curious to see how Terence would keep Gilded Ages afloat after firing his most important employee.