Chapter 1

"Fred Sloan, do you even know what you're saying?"

Sandra Wendell stormed over to confront me. This was the first time I'd seen her lose control like this.

I repeated flatly, "I'm resigning. It's over between us."

Without saying another word, I turned back to my desk and began packing my things.

I'd been with Wendell Group since its founding, and I'd spent years in this office. There was a lot to pack.

I placed my thermos, blanket, and other personal items into a box, then started going through the work files.

These were all projects I led, and many of those clients only agreed to work with us because of me. But I couldn't follow through on them anymore.

Sandra watched me like a hawk and said coldly, "Fred, you're 34. You've made it to deputy CEO. That's not an easy achievement. You know how bad the economy is right now. Are you seriously going to throw this all away on a whim?"

Instead of answering, I printed out my resignation letter and signed it.

Sandra's frown deepened.

Just then, Lester Hale, the intern, walked in carrying a cup of coffee. He stole a cautious glance at me and said, "Ms. Wendell, is Fred doing this because of me? Is he resigning to force me out? I won't put you in a tough spot, Ms. Wendell. Fred is a veteran here. I should be the one to go."

His eyes, red around the edges, shone with sadness.

Any hesitation in Sandra's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by nothing but deep annoyance toward me.

"Fred, I've given you an out, but you didn't appreciate it. Do you really think the company can't survive without you?

"Fine. You want to resign? Go ahead. I approve it."

With that, she grabbed the resignation letter, signed it with a sharp motion, and threw it at me.

"You're not an employee here anymore. Take your things and get out."

Her coldness stung.

Sandra and I had met back in college. Coming from a poor background, I spent all my time buried in my books, which often made me a target for my coursemates' ridicule.

Sandra was the one who had always stepped in to defend me, ate lunch with me, and even pursued me.

For four years, she was nothing but kind to me. After graduation, we established Wendell Group together and faced the toughest times side by side.

We had promised each other that we would get married once the company was stable.

But everything changed when Lester's father became a major shareholder and made him an intern.

Lester was lazy and often made mistakes. When I pointed them out, Sandra would warn me not to pick on the newcomer.

I stood my ground, always putting Wendell Group's interests first, yet she repeatedly humiliated me just to protect him.

Now, simply because I called him out in a meeting, she was using our relationship to push me out.