Chapter 5

Irene knew exactly how much I had sacrificed for the Eurentia project, yet she still handed it to Steven to force me into backing down.

My phone buzzed with a new message from her. "You still have a chance to admit that you were wrong."

I didn't reply. I set my phone down and went to wash up.

She seemed to forget that I was the one who secured the Eurentia project. The partner didn't care about the company—they only trusted me.

…

After washing up, I went downstairs to grab some breakfast. When I returned, I found that all my things had been thrown out of the office.

My mug and files had been tossed out, and the signed divorce agreement was torn in half. The only thing left was the wedding photo of Irene and me, set carefully on the balcony.

Steven sat proudly in my chair, a mocking grin on his face. "Sorry, Jason. Irie already gave me this office. You can take that spot over there from now on."

He pointed smugly toward the storage room by the restroom, where water was leaking. I didn't bother responding to him and turned to look at Irene, who had stayed quiet off to the side.

She looked like she hadn't slept a wink. Her eyes were bloodshot, yet the corners of her mouth twisted into a wicked grin. "Steve is right. I've already given him the office. But if you withdraw the divorce, maybe I could—"

"No need."

I cut her off and grabbed the wedding photo from the balcony. I met Irene's slightly smug gaze and tossed the photo into the trash. "I don't need this either. You can throw it out, too."

As soon as I finished speaking, I picked up my laptop from the desk and walked out, pretending not to notice the anger burning in Irene's eyes.

…

It was Monday, and I was set to start my new job abroad the next day. I still needed to go back and pack my things.

I didn't attend the launch event that evening. Instead, I stayed home to conduct a final discussion with the Eurentia partner as DM Group's manager.

The moment the deal was confirmed, I received a message from Irene. "I've invited the media to livestream tonight's launch. If you still don't apologize, the Eurentia project will really have nothing to do with you."

I glanced at the message and muted the chat. It was almost time, and I had to get going to catch my flight.

At 7:00 pm, the media began to arrive. The event was being broadcast live across the city.

Steven had spent a fortune on a celebrity makeup artist and was impeccably dressed. He linked arms with Irene and smiled radiantly. Irene wore a gray skirt suit, exuding elegance, but her gaze flicked anxiously across everyone in the audience.

She wondered why I still hadn't shown up. Her initial excitement gradually gave way to anxiety, but the launch had to go on.

Irene pressed her lips together and took the microphone. "Hello everyone, I'm Irene Johnson, CEO of Johnson Corporation. Today's launch is about our company's 'Victoria' project in partnership with GK Group. This project—"

"Hold on!"

A reporter with a badge from an international financial news channel suddenly stood up. "Ms. Johnson, are you certain that it is the Victoria project?"

Irene froze. "Of course. This is our company—"

Irene's assistant rushed onto the stage and whispered frantically in her ear. "Ms. Johnson, something's wrong! Just a minute ago, DM Group issued an official statement. The Victoria project has been taken over by them, and Mr. White has joined their team."