Chapter 3

Darren's brows knit together, his voice laced with open irritation.

"Paula, what are you standing there for? Carrie already apologized. What more do you want? Come sit down and talk this through."

He patted the empty seat beside him, as if doing me a favor.

I drew in a deep breath, forcing down the emotions rising in my chest, and replied evenly, "I didn't come here to hear an apology. I came to hand over the Finch Corporation's affairs."

From the briefcase at my side, I pulled out a neatly organized set of documents and resignation I had written long ago. I placed them on the table.

"These are the financial reports from the past three years, the contracts for all active projects, and the company's strategic plan for the next twelve months. And this is my letter of resignation. As of today, I will no longer be involved in Finch Corporation's operations.

"Darren, take care of it as you see fit."

The moment my words fell, the room fell into stunned silence.

All eyes turned toward me, their gazes tinged with disbelief.

Darren's expression darkened immediately. His face flushed, and he shot to his feet.

"Paula, what the hell are you saying? You're leaving?!"

"Yes," I answered calmly. "This company was your father's legacy to you. It should be yours to manage. How you manage it is no longer my concern."

"Paula! Have you forgotten? If it weren't for my father, you'd still be begging under some bridge! And now that you've grown wings, you want to cut ties? Let me tell you—if I don't give you permission, you're not leaving Finch Corporation!"

Carrie, now catching up, jabbed a finger toward my face, her tone sharp.

"Paula, don't be ungrateful! Darren gave you a chance to work at his company. That's more than you deserve! Who do you think you're fooling with this little act of playing hard to get? Apologize to Darren now, or you're going to regret it!"

The others joined in, talking over one another.

"Yeah, Paula, don't be like this. Just say sorry to Darren."

"We're all friends here—why make things ugly?"

"Darren treats you so well. How can you turn your back on him like this?"

Looking at the faces around me, I could only feel how absurd it all was.

"If what you call 'treat me well' is treating me like a servant at your beck and call, then I sincerely hope each of you finds someone just as 'good' to love."

The room fell completely silent.

Only the sound of Darren's ragged, furious breathing remained.

"I've said what I came to say. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

With that, I turned and walked out, ignoring the shouts behind me.

Glass shattered.

Darren's voice followed, hoarse with rage, "Paula! If you walk out that door today, don't even think about coming back! I order you to apologize right now—and go through with our engagement!"

I didn't slow down, didn't even look back. Some people never learn.

With Darren, I had already done more than enough.

I packed my things that night, listed the apartment for sale, and moved temporarily into a hotel near the office to handle the final stages of my departure.

Darren's calls and messages came in a relentless barrage—blame, accusations, commands.

"Is this how you repay my dad for raising you?

"Do you remember what you promised me? How you swore to him you'd stay by my side?

"Ungrateful wretch. Don't think for a second that I can't survive without you. The company will be just fine without you!"

I stared at his messages, and couldn't help but laugh.

He hadn't changed. Still perched above everyone else, convinced the world revolved around him.

I didn't respond. I simply blocked his number.