Chapter 5

I shook my head and continued nudging it toward Irene. I stated, "Just sign the divorce papers. You'd be able to make it official with Cody once I'm gone anyway. Isn't that so?"

"Sebastian!"

Irene was really enraged this time. She snatched the papers from me and tore them into pieces.

"I already told you that there is nothing going on between Cody and me! Do you not understand a single word I said?

"I'm telling you, if you dare to make another huge fuss about this again, the celebration party will be called off, and you can firmly say goodbye to all your promotions and raises next time!"

Then, she turned on her heels and left without another word, without giving me a chance to speak.

I clicked my tongue impatiently.

Since things had turned out like this, I decided that perhaps I should just hand in my resignation first.

I turned on my phone, and countless text messages immediately popped up on Slack.

"Mr. Hart! Why aren't you putting in any overtime for Christmas? Do you know what time it is? Why aren't you at the office yet?"

"Wow, Seb, has the sun risen in the west today? This is the first time I'm seeing you not at your desk early in the morning. Have you already stopped being a workaholic?"

I didn't reply to a single text message.

I first handed in my resignation to the HR department before contacting a lawyer to have the share transfer agreement notarized.

I kept my word and gave the shares to Cody as their wedding gift. I wasn't going to go back on my word.

However, just a short while later, I received a notice that my resignation had been rejected.

I called up the HR representative, and they simply said helplessly, "We're sorry, Mr. Hart, but it was Ms. Owens herself who rejected your resignation. There's nothing else we can do about it.

"Also, this is Ms. Owen's location. She wants you to see her there if you have any questions."

As expected, it was the private restaurant that she and Cody often went to.

By the time I arrived, the atmosphere was cheery and lively, bustling with activity.

"Mr. Harrington! You're such a young and promising lad, and the company's future is going to depend on your leadership!"

"Mr. Harrington, please accept my best wishes for you and Ms. Owens. I hope you'll both be taking your relationship to the next level real soon!"

I frowned hard and pushed open the door to the private dining room.

Everyone in the room was leaning toward and crowding around Cody, who was sitting at the head of the table.

He was wearing the white shirt Irene brought him this morning, and he looked every bit the professional. The work tag bearing the title of "Department Manager" was also already pinned to his chest, where it was prominently on display.

As soon as the people caught sight of me at the door, the clinking of glasses in the room ceased, as if time had suddenly stood still.

Cody stood up first, breaking the tension.

He went up to me and tugged me into the room by my arms like we were best buddies, smiling as he said, "Sebastian! Why are you only here now? I've been waiting for you. Hurry up and take a seat!"

I chuckled mockingly and flung his hands off.

What was the point of taking a seat? They were already done eating, with only bones and leftovers left. Did he think I was a beggar or something?

Meanwhile, Irene, who had been sitting straight in the corner ever since I appeared, finally moved. She shielded Cody behind her and crossed her arms over her chest, scoffing coldly in my face.

"Didn't somebody threaten to resign just a while ago? Why did you come all the way here now to join in the company's team-building activity instead?"

I took a look around the room.

Almost everyone notable was there. They were all people whom I knew well, and yet, not a single one of them had informed me about this "team-building" activity.

They all looked awkward and embarrassed, and none of them dared to look me in the eye.

I didn't even have to use my brain to know that this had to be all Irene's doing. She had to have told them not to inform me of this, afraid that I'd throw a tantrum and make a huge fuss about it.

Also, what kind of team-building was this anyway? It was obviously a celebration for Cody's promotion instead.

Irene kept her chin high as she snorted and said haughtily, "I don't think you're suited to be a department manager at all, Sebastian Hart. You're way above your league.

"You're too impetuous. You should start all over again as an intern from now on."

With the CEO of the company speaking to me that way, the other colleagues immediately and naturally understood the implication and quickly chimed in with their support.