Chapter 4

Almost everyone in Jerunia's high society knew about it back when our families arranged for Alex and me to be engaged.

More than 20 years later, there was already a huge gap between the two families' wealth and status. Still, my father kept to his promise and never mentioned a word about calling off the engagement.

Technically speaking, I was still Alex's fiancee.

Alex was caught slightly off guard by my question. Yet, a moment later, he burst out laughing as if he had just heard the funniest thing ever.

"I knew it! You're planning to marry into my family, huh? You've even gone and looked into whether I have a fiancee!"

Alex was laughing so hard that he clutched his stomach. Shermaine, who stuck close to him, was laughing as well.

"Mr. Hammond, she seems really interested in your family's affairs."

Alex pinched Shermaine's cheek lightly. His eyes blazed with scorn and contempt.

"After all, there are a lot of women who desperately want to become the future Mrs. Hammond."

Alex turned his head and smugly jutted his chin upward as he looked at me.

"That's right. I do have a fiancee that my parents have chosen for me. So what?

"I have money and power. Even if I already have a fiancee, there's nothing wrong with me having a few lovers, like what ancient kings and emperors did. Is that so wrong?"

The other employees dissolved into fits of laughter.

"Mr. Hammond is absolutely right!"

"Exactly! It's completely understandable for a decent man like him to have several lovers."

I cast a stony glance at all these people who were spouting nonsense.

"Do you seriously think you're some sort of king just because people suck up to you nonstop? We're no longer living in the past."

I smirked. "You should stop pretending like you're some sort of royalty.

"Also, stop assuming that all women are dying to throw themselves at you like that woman beside you. Alex Hammond, you disgust me."

Alex stopped laughing at that point. His face darkened. "What did you say?"

"I said you disgust me." I looked him right in the eye and showed no signs of fear.

Alex exploded, "You dare talk to me like that? Do you really think this is your turf? Let me make it clear to you now. We don't need someone like you in our company! Get out of here this instant!"

He had a menacing look on his face as he was completely enraged.

With a worried expression, Shermaine held onto Alex's arm and gently patted his chest to calm him down.

"Mr. Hammond, don't bother getting mad at her. It's a complete waste of your time and energy."

She directed her gaze at me and said furiously, "Lucy, how could you say something like that to Mr. Hammond? It's too much! Hurry and apologize to him!"

I shrugged. "Thanks for reminding me. He should be the one apologizing to me."

Alex pointed at me and let out a chuckle. "Has she gone insane? I officially announce that she's fired!"

He took his phone out and called the HR department.

"Hello. It's me, Alex Hammond. Prepare a termination report for Lucy from the sales department right now. As for the reason, you can state in the report that she disrespected her boss and broke our company's rules!"

After shouting all that, Alex ended the call and glared at me. "Today, I'll show you the consequences of getting on my wrong side."

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air.

Shermaine was the only one who was scanning the room with a contemptuous look in her eyes.

Within less than ten minutes, the HR department manager, Mark Turner, brought the termination report that he had printed out to Alex.

"Mr. Hammond, here's the report that you've asked for."

Alex snatched the few pieces of paper from Mark. Without even looking through the report, he hurled those papers at me.

I felt a slight prick when one of the paper's sharp edges left a tiny cut on my cheek.

"Sign it now!" Alex lifted his chin, gesturing toward the paper on the floor. He sounded really pleased with himself.

"Sign it, and get out of my sight!"

The other employees were murmuring amongst themselves.

"Oh my god! Is Mr. Hammond really going to fire Lucy? What do we tell Mr. Hammond Senior when he eventually comes back to work?"

"Well, it's her fault for picking a fight with Mr. Hammond."

"She got what she deserved!"

Shermaine was grinning widely as she laughed aloud. She had a triumphant look on her face.

"By the way, what's your real name, Lucy? You have to write your full name on the document. You can't sign it with the nickname that you use for work."