Chapter 1

“Olivia Lock, do you really think resigning means this is over? Dream on!

“Your financial misconduct cost the company at least $1.6 million in losses!”

The moment I returned to my desk, Ivy Kane swept all the belongings I just packed onto the floor and began scolding me arrogantly.

The surrounding employees exchanged glances, but not a single person spoke.

I shot back, “And what exactly do you want from me?”

Ivy immediately lifted her chin and pushed even further.

“Of course you need to cover the funding shortfall and make up for the company's losses! And you’ll hand over every project you're currently managing to us and stay on to help us complete them!”

The projects under my name were practically the lifeblood of the company. Every one of them was a major account that I fought tooth and nail to secure.

What Ivy wanted was not only to cement the accusations that I embezzled company funds and falsified financial records, she also wanted to squeeze every last bit of value out of me before I left.

I turned to look at my husband, Sean Cooper.

He nodded, walked over to Ivy's side, and gave her an approving look.

“Ivy's right. What's done is done. Cover the shortfall, help them complete the projects, and I'll consider keeping you on.”

Sean's agreement only made Ivy look more pleased with herself.

As early as six months ago, when Ivy first joined the company, I already noticed that Sean treated her differently.

A man who never paid attention to entry-level interviews suddenly volunteered to be an interviewer.

In the end, he ignored a pool of highly qualified candidates and personally selected her to become his assistant.

I had asked him why.

He told me that seeing a young woman struggling to find work reminded him of my early days, and he couldn't bear to stand by and do nothing.

He said he was simply lending her a helping hand and told me not to overthink it.

But afterward, despite keeping our marriage secret for seven years, the man who always prided himself on fairness lowered his standards for Ivy again and again.

I used to comfort myself by believing he was trying to make up for the difficult years when we had nothing.

But at that moment, I could no longer keep lying to myself.

I let out a mocking laugh.

“Ivy's nothing more than an assistant. What qualifies her to take over those projects? And you expect me to help her?”

Sean had never expected me, the woman who always swallowed her grievances in silence, to suddenly fire back.

He froze.

A flash of irritation crossed Ivy's eyes, but she quickly put on a wounded expression.

“Olivia, I only suggested it because you're one of the company's senior employees and I wanted to give you a chance to make amends. Even if you don't appreciate it, that doesn't give you the right to attack me personally, does it?”