Chapter 1

There was a short silence on the line, followed by a small chuckle and a sigh.

"Are you serious? I'd give you the world. How could I ever let you suffer through wind and sand out there?"

I was long past being impressed by this kind of polished flattery. I cut straight to business.

"So when can I start?"

"Anytime. Who's trying to banish you to Northreach? Quinton would never sign off on it. Didn't he just talk about going public with you after you helped Andrea clean up her disaster a few days ago?"

I sidestepped the question and replied evenly, "Just be ready to take over the 20-million-dollar investment."

After ending the call, I logged into the company system and submitted my resignation.

Then I returned to my office, grabbed a cardboard box, and began packing my things.

I hadn't shut the door. Colleagues kept sneaking glances from their desks, curiosity written all over their faces. A few bold ones even came over, eager to gossip.

"Ms. Woolery, I heard Northreach is hell on earth. A colleague came back from there once looking half-dead and skinny as a rail, and her skin was so rough it could scrape paint. You've been with Mr. Kemp for seven years. Can't you at least ask him to go easy on you?"

"She obviously rubbed Ms. Roffe the wrong way. After all, Ms. Roffe is Mr. Kemp's favorite. Take notes, everyone. That's what happens when you offend the wrong person."

Quinton Kemp never bothered hiding his bias toward Andrea Roffe. That was exactly why so many people were so quick to side with her and trample over me.

I was just about to explain that I was resigning, not being exiled, when Andrea emerged from the CEO's office, looking smug and triumphant.

She deliberately straightened her posture, flashing a freshly pinned vice president badge, and spoke with fake generosity.

"Lisa, you don't have to take anything from this office. I don't mind at all. When you come back, I'll make sure everything's still here for you."

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The looks people gave her turned syrupy and eager.

"No wonder Mr. Kemp demoted Lisa before sending her to Northreach. He was clearly keeping the vice president spot open for Ms. Roffe."

"I'm officially rooting for them. This is true love! They're the real power couple!"

Back then, Quinton used to say workplace romance was unprofessional. Hence, we stayed secretly married for seven years. He also shut down even the slightest rumor about us.

Once, he caught a cold, and I handed him a cup of hot water.

Someone said something snarky about it. Because of that, he exploded and slashed everyone's performance bonus in half that month, causing me to be completely isolated overnight.

Now, he let rumors about him and Andrea spread freely. He even claimed that office romance boosted morale among younger employees.

And I had actually believed that nonsense. What a joke.

Andrea cleared her throat, putting on a modest expression.

"Don't say things like that. Quinton only gave me the vice president title to help settle my nerves. I'm not like Lisa. She worked really hard for six years before earning that position. That's how it's supposed to be done."