Chapter 4

The next day at two in the afternoon, Alexander and I were supposed to be walking into the wedding chapel at this very moment.

But instead, I was sitting in the conference room with the company's shareholders.

Alexander burst in with Lily.

"Today is our wedding day. Why didn't you show up?"

"I never said I would attend the wedding."

I looked him straight in the eyes, calm and composed.

Lily hid behind Alexander, peeking out and smiling at me — her eyes full of malice.

"Joanna, I'm sorry. I just wanted to experience what it felt like to be proposed to."

"It's all my fault. We stayed up too late last night, and I haven't returned this to you yet..."

As she spoke, Lily took off the ring from her finger.

A long, slender hand stopped her.

"You don't need to do that. She's just throwing a tantrum at me."

Alexander looked up, his eyes full of dissatisfaction.

"Since the shareholders' meeting is already in session, there's something I'd like to announce as well."

He pulled out a contract and handed it to the assistant beside him.

"I'm transferring 5% of my shares to Lily."

Everyone was stunned — except Lily, who flashed a triumphant smile.

A shareholder sitting nearby frowned. "Alexander, a 5% stake will affect the company's decision-making."

Alexander chuckled lightly. "Lily just wants to experience what it's like to be part of the company. I'll still be the one making all the decisions."

"Then I'd like to ask you both, as shareholders, to take responsibility for this loss."

I cut him off and placed the report on the desk in front of him.

Because of the funding shortfall, multiple projects had ground to a halt, and the partner companies had filed for breach-of-contract damages.

The total amount: 300 million.

His pupils dilated. He stared at the report in disbelief.

"How is this possible? How could this much damage come from just this amount of money?"

Then, as if something had just occurred to him, he frowned and looked at me.

"You're still mad at me, aren't you? You're deliberately using this to threaten me."

"Today is our wedding day. What kind of nonsense are you pulling?"

Lily grabbed the sleeve of Alexander's suit from the side.

Tears streamed down her face pitifully. "If this is because of me, I'll leave right away. Take back all these shares too."

Alexander squeezed her hand tightly and shook his head.

"It's not your fault. It's Joanna who brought her personal emotions into work."

I didn't want to waste another word on him. I brought up the evidence one by one on the projector.

As he looked at it, his face grew paler and paler.

"How is this possible! It was only fifty million..."

The shareholders beside him had already lost patience and spoke up directly.

"According to company bylaws, you, as CEO, are responsible for this loss."

Alexander clenched his fists and looked at me in disbelief.

"The company has indeed suffered significant losses on various projects over the years — losses that I covered entirely out of my own pocket."

"I should reflect on myself — specifically, on the fact that I shouldn't have filled so many of your holes."

"So I've forwarded all the outstanding accounts to the legal department."

Alexander stared at me in disbelief. The shareholder beside me rose to his feet and spoke gravely:

"After Joanna withdrew her personal funds, you continued embezzling company money — causing the company to owe this much in breach-of-contract penalties!"

I leaned back in my chair and twirled my pen.

"Furthermore, per the shareholders' resolution, all of your shares are to be reclaimed and used to cover the breach-of-contract penalties. A new CEO has already been elected."

His face went instantly white, his lips trembling uncontrollably.

"Now, as the new CEO, I officially inform you — you're fired."