Chapter 3: Corporate Conflict

I rushed to the company conference room, where everyone sat waiting—Ethan, Sophia, and the other colleagues.

As soon as I walked in, my coworkers shot me resentful looks.

I smiled awkwardly and opened the case file, only to discover it was the project Sophia had taken over from me.

The moment Ethan saw me, he erupted. "Do you realize your mistake cost the company ten times the normal commission?"

Sophia chimed in smugly, "Exactly. If you can't handle the work, don't take it on. Now we all have to suffer because of you."

I spoke up, "I apologize for any trouble, but I wasn't responsible for this project."

Ethan pointed to the name on the contract, "Your signature is right here as project lead."

I flipped to the final page of the contract, "According to company policy, the signatory on the last page is the final responsible party."

I projected the signature onto the computer screen, where it clearly read: Sophia Miller.

All eyes turned to Sophia. Her face went deathly pale.

It was obvious—Sophia had seized my nearly completed project to impress Ethan, but the client had exploited her inexperience and trapped her in a bad deal.

She started sniffling, tears welling up in her eyes.

Ethan's heart immediately melted, and he pulled her into his arms right in front of everyone.

As the meeting ended, Ethan announced, "This month, the business department's salaries will be reduced by ten percent to cover the company's losses. Especially Claire—her year-end bonus and the next three months' salary will be docked."

Half a month later, when paychecks arrived, everyone was grumbling.

Meanwhile, Sophia was named "Performance Star" by Ethan and received a fifty percent salary bonus.

Sophia smiled graciously, "I owe today's success to everyone's support. I hope you'll continue backing me."

After she finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Feeling the awkwardness, she left.

I noted down everyone's bank account numbers and used my savings to compensate each person for their docked wages.

I looked around the room, "Working with all of you these years to build this company has been my privilege.

"It's just unfortunate that it will never bear my name."

My colleagues understood what I was implying and felt indignant on my behalf.

I sat down and printed out my resignation letter.

My flight was approaching—I needed to finalize my departure quickly.

I walked into the office to find Sophia sitting on Ethan's lap, feeding him orange segments mouth-to-mouth.

Seeing me, Sophia jumped up in panic, about to scold me before changing her tone, "Ethan, your secretary startled me."

Ethan pointed to the chair in front of him. I understood and laid out the documents.

I handed him the pen and pointed to the signature line, "Sign here."

He was busy flirting with Sophia, barely glancing as he took the pen and signed where I indicated.

I closed the folder and said, "I'll be going then."

Ethan murmured his acknowledgment.

I bowed my head and left the office.

After finishing the handover, it was already late at night.

I returned home to pack my luggage just as Ethan stumbled in drunk.

I prepared hangover tea and helped him drink it before trying to go to bed.

But he got up and tried to be intimate.

Now that I was leaving, he was suddenly interested.

He turned his head and vomited everywhere.

I hated the smell of alcohol.

I got up and went to the study to sleep.

The next morning, Ethan was nowhere to be found.

He called me, with loud club music in the background.

He commanded, "There's a major business conference coming to City Andes this week. You must help me secure their contract."

Seven years ago, when the law firm where I worked caught fire, Ethan had saved me.

I thought for a moment—this would be the last time I repaid that life debt.

I dressed up and contacted the clients.

At the hotel, the client was a middle-aged man.

Our company wasn't the only one present—other local competitors were there too.

The client set the rules after sizing us all up, “Whoever drinks the most wins the contract."

Seeing I was the only woman, they all laughingly suggested I drop out of the competition.

I picked up a bottle of high-proof brandy and downed six bottles straight.

They were all stunned.

After signing the contract, I endured excruciating stomach pain and went to the hospital for gastric lavage.

The doctor looked at me with pity, "Child, don't push yourself so hard. Keep this up and you'll need your stomach removed."

I smiled bitterly.

I used to never drink. But I'd built this company one sip at a time.

Ethan, I don't owe you anything anymore.

As soon as the contract reached the company, Ethan wanted to throw a celebration party.

I didn't want to attend, but my colleagues—knowing it was my achievement—messaged me to come.

Ethan texted me to bring wine, the kind that gives a light buzz.

At the celebration, Ethan handed the wine to Sophia.

Sophia took a small sip and her cheeks flushed, “Ethan, I think I'm drunk."

She pretended to stumble, and Ethan anxiously caught her, glaring at me, "Didn't I tell you to buy low-alcohol wine? What are you trying to do with this stuff?"

I laughed coldly, pointing to the label. "This is just an alcoholic beverage. There's barely any alcohol content."

Sophia looked displeased, "It's okay, don't blame Claire. I was just so excited, I forgot I'm allergic to alcohol."

Ethan was about to scold me when he noticed my pale complexion, and a concerned question slipped out, "Those clients didn't give you too hard a time, did they?"

I pointed to the bottles on the table, "Just six bottles of brandy."

Ethan's expression turned pained.

Seeing this, Sophia dramatically exclaimed, "Oh my, I'm going to faint!"

Ethan quickly supported her and took her upstairs to rest.

Before leaving, he instructed me, "Take Sophia's coat home to wash and bring it back tomorrow."

The other colleagues exchanged glances.

Knowing I was leaving, they wanted to persuade me to stay.

I just smiled gently, "We'll meet again somewhere down the road. Goodbye, everyone."

Then I picked up my luggage by the door and headed to catch tonight's flight.

No one knew that my parents, whom I'd never mentioned, actually lived in London.

Ethan, the only one who knew, thought I was just going on vacation.

My parents welcomed me home and brought me back to their house.

After resting briefly, I drafted a legal complaint.

Defendant: Ethan Carter.