Chapter 3

The next day, I went into the office like always.

Everyone was waiting for the show.

"He actually had the nerve to come in?"

"He threw a punch last night. Noah's not letting that go."

"I heard Noah knows people high up at the parent company. Ethan's really done for this time."

Claire Morgan, our team's assistant, came over quietly.

"Ethan, are you okay?"

She looked worried.

"I heard what happened last night. If Noah gives you a hard time, tell me. I know someone who runs a recruiting firm. Maybe they can help you find another job."

While everyone else waited to see me fall, she was the only one who actually cared.

I smiled at her.

"Thanks, Claire. I'm fine."

"Erin's been waiting for you in her office all morning," she warned under her breath. "She looks furious."

"Got it."

I opened the door to the marketing director's office.

Erin sat behind her desk, and Noah was lounging on the couch.

When I walked in, Erin frowned.

"Where did you go last night? I called you more than a dozen times."

"We broke up," I said flatly. "Where I go is none of your business."

Her expression soured.

Seeing that, Noah quickly stood up to smooth things over.

"Come on, Erin. We're all adults. No need to make a big deal out of something so small."

He turned to me with a fake smile.

"Ethan, I was out of line yesterday. Forget the written apology. Let's work well together from now on."

Erin got straight to the point.

"Starting today, Noah will take full control of the key project you've been leading. You'll stay on the project team and help him deliver it."

That project was the company's most important contract this year.

From the initial negotiations to drafting the proposal, I'd handled almost every step myself.

The client signed because they trusted me.

And now they wanted to hand all the credit to Noah.

But none of that mattered now.

"Fine," I said.

They clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

Erin's expression softened a little.

"Good. As long as you cooperate, the company will treat you fairly."

"But I have one condition."

Noah frowned right away.

"You think you get to set conditions?"

"Put Claire on the project team," I said calmly. "She's meticulous and more than capable. She's a better fit for this project than a certain manager who can't even get a basic report right."

Noah's face darkened instantly.

Erin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine."

I turned and left.

As soon as I stepped out of the office, I heard Noah's voice from inside.

"Erin, why did you say yes to him?"

"Don't worry," Erin said, soothing him. "He's run this project from the start. Let him keep doing the work while you take the credit. Once you've got a win under your belt, the people at the parent company will think more of you."

Noah laughed.

"You really get me."

With a blank expression, I walked back to my desk.

People crowded around me right away.

"So? Did she chew you out?"

"Did you hand over the project?"

"Told you. That little bit of backbone from yesterday wasn't going to last."

Claire looked at me, worried.

"Are they giving you a hard time again?"

I shook my head.

"Starting today, you're working on this project with me."

"What?"

"Do it right. This is a good opportunity."

Before she could answer, Noah came out of the office.

When he heard what I'd said, he let out an exaggerated laugh.

"Ethan, are you teaching other people how to get promoted now?"

He walked up and looked down at me.

"A guy who's been held back by his own fiancée for three years and can't even make manager is giving other people career advice?"

Low laughter rippled around us.

Claire was so angry her face went red.

I held up a hand to stop her.

"It's fine."

I looked at Noah and smiled.

"You're right.

"Which is why I'd like to see what exactly you can make of this project."

He missed my point. He figured I'd given up completely.

"You'll find out soon enough."

He turned and walked off with a spring in his step.

I opened my laptop and looked over the project files.

Two more days.

Once the acquisition went through, they wouldn't be laughing anymore.