Chapter 4

I put down my phone, opened the closet, and started packing my luggage.

I had no intention of seeing Lydia again. I only hoped she would not regret this.

On the way back home, my phone kept buzzing.

When I opened the screen, it was full of screenshots from colleagues and people in the industry.

The contents were all more or less the same. Lydia had posted announcements in various groups.

"Former colleague Connor Bryce was fired for moral misconduct and for forging a contract in an attempt to misappropriate company property."

"This person is stubborn, dishonest, and full of lies. HR contacts, please beware."

She was afraid I could still find a job.

She even posted the same message in the group for my previous company, attaching a large cash reward and asking HR contacts to spread my "glorious deeds" to everyone they knew so no one would hire me.

She wanted to cut off every path I had.

I leaned against the cold taxi window, and my heart slowly turned just as cold.

Back then, she had a poor academic background and could not find work anywhere.

After she finally entered this company, I used my connections and asked countless friends to buy properties from her so I could help her hit her sales targets.

That was how she became sales manager.

She complained that my job required too many business trips and that we spent too little time together. She kept urging me to transfer to her company.

For her, I gave up my training at one of our family subsidiaries and came here.

Now, for a man she had only known for a week, she was trying to ruin me completely.

How laughable.

My phone rang abruptly, interrupting my thoughts.

I answered, and before I could speak, my sister's bright voice came through.

"What happened, my dear little brother? Did you fall out with your Cinderella?"

My sister had never liked Lydia. She thought Lydia was too calculating and did not deserve me.

A huge wave of grievance surged into my throat, and for a long time, I could not speak.

"Victoria..."

I only said one word, and my voice already broke.

She immediately sensed something was wrong. Her tone turned anxious at once.

"Oh no, don't be upset. Don't be upset. What happened?

"Who bullied you? Tell me. I'll get justice for you."

She paused, then lowered her voice. "The contracts for Eastbank haven't been signed yet. Don't worry."

I stayed silent, listening to her comfort me with heartache in her voice, and my eyes stung.

Our parents had been busy since we were children, and I had practically been raised by my sister.

After graduating from college, I left the family company entirely to her so I could stay with Lydia.

Yet she had never complained once.

"All right, all right. Men don't cry.

"Come home. If the sky falls, your sister will hold it up for you."

My nose stung again, and I nodded heavily.

After hanging up, I had just caught my breath when my screen lit up again.

Lydia had sent more than a dozen messages. They had started as questions, then turned into furious orders.

"Connor, answer me!"

"Come back to the company immediately! Right now!"

I switched my phone to silent.

Less than two minutes later, an unknown number called.

I frowned and answered. Ryan's hypocritical voice came through with a hint of accusation.

"Connor, why aren't you replying to Lydia? Are you guilty and afraid to face her?"

I snapped, "What the hell are you? What right do you have to question me?"

He instantly shifted into a hurt tone.

"It's fine if you snap at me, but don't delay Lydia's important business."

Before I could speak, the phone was snatched away by someone else.

"Connor!

"Why are you yelling at him? Are you insane? I told you to come back to the company. Did you hear me?"