Chapter 3

“Yes! Of course I am,” Lucian said immediately.

Half an hour later, we met in a private room at a cafe.

Lucian looked at me. He spoke with a wistful, yet hopeful tone.

“Charles, I’ll be blunt. I’ve offered you the chance to join me countless times before, but you always turned me down for Joy.

“Honestly, it’s a shame! With your talent, staying at a small company like Zimmer Group is such a waste.

“Have you finally thought about my offer?”

I smiled wearily and nodded in response.

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Lucian’s eyes. He did not press further.

He slid a prepared contract across the table to me.

“The Chief Technology Officer position at InnoVigor Corporation has always been yours for the taking. The salary is exactly as I promised you, at the highest tier.”

Without hesitation, I picked up the pen and signed it.

Lucian had founded InnoVigor Corporation. It was a true industry giant.

The technical capabilities and market share for that company far exceeded those of Joy’s company.

Over the past few years, he had invited me to join him several times. The terms he offered grew more generous every time.

Back then, I was blinded by what I thought was love. All I cared about was helping Joy grow her company.

I politely declined Lucian every time.

I looked back and realized how absurd it all was.

Despite my years of wholehearted effort, I found myself in a position inferior to that of Joy’s sycophantic assistant.

After I was done meeting Lucian, I finally found time to visit my mother at the hospital.

When I reached the ward door, I saw an unexpected figure.

It was Joy.

She was sitting by the hospital bed, peeling an apple and speaking softly to my mother.

When she saw me enter the ward, she immediately walked forward and took my hand.

“Darling, I’ve taken care of everything for your mother. I also paid off all the medical bills.

“Don’t be upset with me anymore. Come with me to the office later, and I’ll have finance transfer your bonus. Now, you ought to stop being angry, okay?”

I was baffled when I saw her gentle behavior.

In all the years my mother had been ill, Joy had visited the hospital only a handful of times.

Each visit was rushed, and she never showed any willingness to stay a moment longer.

Why the sudden act of kindness? Had she actually come to her senses?

I knew her far too well to fall for that.

I turned aside to avoid her hand and said indifferently, “Tell me why you are actually here. Don’t beat around the bush, and get to the point.”

Joy’s face stiffened briefly before she forced out a smile again.

“Darling, I was wrong. I was thoughtless and made a mistake. You have every right to be angry.

“But this new product launch is too important for the company. You’re the only one who really knows the core specs and the entire control process. You can’t let a personal grudge jeopardize something this big.”

Well, that was expected.

The last trace of hope within me vanished completely when she revealed her true intention.

I deliberately shook off her hand and said coldly, “That has nothing to do with me anymore.”

Joy grew anxious.

She raised her voice and said, “How can this have nothing to do with you?! You’re the lead developer and my husband! The company’s interests are your interests. How can you just walk away?”

I laughed when I saw her entitled countenance.

“Joy, think about it. Do I own a single share of the company? Even if the launch succeeds, you get all the credit and the money. What’s in it for me?”

Without waiting for her response, I continued, “I never signed an employment contract with the company.

“If I choose to leave, you have no right to stop me.”

Joy’s face darkened. She looked at me venomously.

“Charles, I’ve been too easy on you. You refuse the easy way, so now you get the hard way. It’s time you learned your place.”

...

At Joy’s command, several bodyguards in black rushed into the ward. I tensed up.

“Joy, what are you doing?!”

She sneered and offered no reply. She merely gestured to them.