Chapter 1

When I walked out of the banquet hall, the thunderous cheers and applause were still ringing behind me.

I smiled, but there was a chill in my eyes.

Five years of everything I had given him, and this was what I got in return.

I dialed another number.

“Cut off and reclaim every supply route, business connection, and financial channel I personally established under Matthew’s name. Starting today, he won’t be able to use a single connection I built for him.”

I gave the order calmly and hung up.

Matthew had never known that every brick he had climbed over these past five years had been laid by my own hands.

The partnerships he believed he had fought for himself had only been secured because the other parties were willing to cooperate out of respect for my family name.

With a single word, I could bring those opportunities to him.

And with a single word, I could take them all away.

He was the one who broke his promise first.

He couldn’t blame me for refusing to show mercy.

Just as I was about to leave, Matthew called.

“I know you’re upset, but you need to understand me.”

There was a hint of warning in his voice.

“Lilith’s father is the mayor. If I marry her, our entire business empire could double in size.”

“If you really love me, you should be thinking about what’s best for me. Isn’t that what you’ve always done?”

Listening to that familiar yet strangely distant voice, I let out a soft laugh.

“Mr. Matthew, I understand. I wish you and Miss Lilith a lifetime of happiness.”

“Also, I don’t think I’m suited to being your assistant anymore. Effective immediately, I resign.”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Then Matthew gave a mocking laugh.

“You’re still the same as ever.”

“You think threatening me with resignation is going to scare me? How childish. You really haven’t grown up at all. Lilith would never cause me trouble.”

I said nothing.

I merely let a cold smile curl at the corner of my lips.

When I remained silent, Matthew softened his tone.

“I’ll make good on everything I promised you. I’ll give you everything eventually, so don’t push me.”

“Besides, isn’t this arrangement better?”

“Oh, and Eve, Lilith wants to hold an engagement party by the sea. You’ll take care of it.”

“I know you’ve never let me down.”

I closed my eyes for a moment.

“Mr. Matthew, I can’t do that.”

“And I’m formally notifying you that I resign.”

With that, I hung up.

Then I walked straight into the darkness of the night without looking back.