Chapter 4

Matthew's POV

Although it had been five years since I last saw Bradley, he was still as handsome as ever.

Julia ushered him to stand in front of the crowd before introducing him. "Bradley is a Magnolia League graduate who just returned to the country from abroad. He will be the new head of the planning department."

Everyone subconsciously glanced at me, while I ignored their gazes and just stared at the stage.

Julia and Bradley were very close. They looked like a match made in heaven as they stood side by side.

The knot in my heart loosened as I suddenly realized how pointless everything was.

Noticing my gaze on her, Julia asked coldly, "What's wrong? Do you have something to say about Bradley being the new head of the department, Matthew?"

Her words once again made me the focus of everyone's attention. A troubled and bitter expression flickered across my face. In the end, I fixed a faint smile on my face and said, "Not at all. Welcome, Mr. Holton."

I started clapping, prompting everyone to join in.

Bradley smiled brightly as he looked me in the eyes.

…

I returned to my workstation and turned on my computer to finish off what little work I had left. I had to drop by the hospital early in the morning, so I didn't have enough time to have breakfast, causing my stomach to throb painfully.

One of my colleagues complained angrily about what had happened while holding his mug. "I'm so mad. How could she just let some stranger become the new head of the department?

"So what if he came back from abroad? Does Ms. Snow even know how much you've contributed to the planning department? You were nearly hospitalized a few times because you had to drink so much. You don't deserve this type of treatment, Matthew."

Powering through the pain, I typed the last few words into the computer before saying lightly, "It's not about what I deserve. Ms. Snow just thinks that Bradley's a better fit than me to expand the company in the long run."

"Matthew—"

My colleague was about to voice another complaint when my phone started ringing. Julia's name was flashing on the screen. Her furious voice echoed from the receiver when I picked up.

"Come to the CEO's office now, Matthew."

I looked down, suppressing the turbulent emotions in my eyes. "Alright."

I noticed Bradley was in Julia's office when I opened the door. She looked completely unbothered as he boldly stood behind her chair and watched her work.

However, I clearly remembered her chewing me out when I accidentally stood behind her chair while she was working. She said that she wasn't used to people standing behind her while she worked, but it seemed that I was the only one she wasn't used to.

"The head of the planning department rightfully belongs to Bradley, Matthew. He's an outstanding graduate from a Magnolia League university. He's much better than a second-generation heir like you who only graduated from a regular, second-rate university.

"You could have openly voiced your complaints during the meeting just now. I gave you a chance, but you didn't say a thing. Instead, you chose to badmouth him behind his back. As expected, you're just as despicable as you were in the past. You only know how to stab people in the back."

Julia gritted her teeth as she spoke. Meanwhile, Bradley shot me a mocking smile as he stood behind her.

I knew he was ridiculing me, since I still couldn't win Julia's favor even though we had been married for five years. He was right. I should just abandon her since I couldn't win.

"I want you to make a public apology to Bradley in the company group chat, Matthew," Julia said. "I want you to explain that you weren't promoted to the head of the department because you were unqualified for the position, and that it has nothing to do with Bradley."

I laughed. "I do have to apologize to Bradley, but not because of the position. I worked just as hard as you for the company for the past few years, Julia. The position should rightfully belong to me."

"Then, why did you say that you have to apologize to Bradley if you're so confident?" Julia asked, scoffing.

The corners of my lips curled up into a faint smile. "Because I indeed owe him."