Chapter 6

Hiding behind him, Tessa cried so hard her bare shoulders shook.

Grant was silent for a few short seconds.

"She just made a mistake on impulse. I've already scolded her."

"The smear articles have already spread all over the internet. Forcing her to apologize now will only make the public backlash worse."

I looked at him. "And so?"

"So I just deserve to take the blame as an escort?"

"I'll have PR kill the story and bury the online buzz."

Grant's tone was calm, as if nothing had happened.

"The internet has the memory of a goldfish. The storm comes fast and goes fast. In a few days, no one will bring it up again."

"Tessa is still young and doesn't know the rules. She still has to make a living in this industry, so stop hounding her."

My last sliver of hope for him vanished completely. I couldn't understand how, after I stayed by his side for so many years, he didn't care about our history at all.

"You're actually blaming me for hounding her?"

Grant frowned, looking at me in confusion. "Reese, I'm already doing my best to coax you. What exactly do you want?"

"Will you only be satisfied if you force her to apologize in public and drag the entire production company through the mud?"

"Reese, you've been in Hollywood for five years. What kind of mud hasn't been slung at you?"

"As long as PR kills the story, this matter is completely over."

"I thought you were mature and wouldn't care about these things."

So just because I never broke down and lost my composure in front of him, he naturally assumed I wouldn't feel sad or hurt.

Because I was low-maintenance enough, I had to quietly swallow the shameless rumors by myself.

Tessa gently tugged at his sleeve.

"Grant, maybe I should just apologize."

"Reese must really care about how others see her..."

"You don't need to apologize to anyone."

Grant interrupted her, shooting a cold glare at me.

"Reese, those late-night meetings were your job in the first place. You are highly paid to handle this. Swallow your pride."

"Now it's just a few rumors being gossiped about. Do you really have to lose your mind and take all your anger out on Tessa?"

"Be good. Go drop the lawsuit and make peace with Tessa."

His commanding tone left no room for argument.

"Otherwise, I'll have to book a new hotel for you and have you move out to cool off for a few days."

I looked at his self-righteous face and laughed out loud.

In his mind, all my drawing of boundaries was just throwing a tantrum.

He was absolutely certain that once my emotions passed, I would obediently roll back to his side and continue being the canary who cleaned up his messes.

I took out the keycard from my bag and slapped it onto the coffee table.

"I'll move right now."

Grant obviously didn't expect me to be so decisive. His tone softened a bit. "Reese, stop making a fuss, okay? If you feel wronged, I'll buy you a new villa in a few days. We'll be fine."

"I am not making a fuss."

I took one last look at Tessa, who was hiding behind him pretending to be pitiful.

"This mansion goes to her, and the spot by your side goes to her too."

"As for your difficult drinking parties and scandalous messes, whoever wants to do them can do them."

I was unusually calm. "Grant, I formally resign, and we are completely over."

He stared at me for a few seconds, then suddenly sneered, dropping the act.

"This threat is getting old."

"You're mistaken. I'm not threatening you. I'm notifying you."

I turned back to my room and dragged out the two suitcases and IDs I had packed long ago.

Even as I dragged my luggage out the front door, he didn't get up from the sofa.

He probably still thought I would come back on my own soon enough.

I got into the ride-share waiting by the road and texted my lawyer.

"Send the cease and desist for the defamation as planned."

"Also, don't miss a single cent of the money owed to me."

After sending the message, I turned off my phone and pulled out the SIM card.

The lights of the mansion grew smaller in the rearview mirror, like a gorgeous cage that had trapped me for five years.

But now, I had smashed it myself.

I never looked back. I turned to the driver and said, "To the airport. As fast as you can."（卡点）