Chapter 5

"Let me congratulate you in advance, Shawn," I said with a smile, giving a mocking little clap as I brushed past him. "You finally managed to turn from a sparrow into a phoenix."

I walked straight toward the banquet hall.

The truth was, I knew exactly why Olivia had gone out of her way to drag me here today.

It wasn't because she cared about me.

It was because the industry-leading corporation signing with the Ranch Group tonight was a client I had personally landed.

The executives at that company only recognized my skills. They had made it clear that all future cooperation between our companies had to be handled exclusively by me—otherwise, the deal was off.

If I didn't show up tonight and they realized their terms had been ignored, that multi-billion-dollar project would fall apart.

That was why Olivia had lowered herself enough to go all the way to the slums to bring me back.

The moment I reached the entrance of the banquet hall, Olivia walked over from the side.

Her perfectly shaped brows furrowed as she looked me up and down in my cheap pajamas, undisguised disgust written all over her face.

"You're seriously planning to go in like this? Isn't that embarrassing enough?"

After taking her shot at me, she grabbed me and pulled me into the backstage dressing room.

She picked out a tailored suit that matched the white gown she was wearing and threw it at me.

Then she gave a sharp order to the makeup and styling team. "Get him ready. Fast."

Like a puppet, I was pushed around and handled by one person after another.

By the time they were done, even I barely recognized the man staring back at me in the mirror.

"At least you finally look halfway decent," Olivia remarked sharply from behind me, her arms crossed.

Hearing her tone, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

The truth was, I had never cared much about looks.

After all, once tonight was over, I would be leaving her world for good.

Since this was the final night, I honestly didn't care what anyone thought of me.

Once the styling was done, Olivia forcefully looped her arm through mine and led me into the banquet hall.

The second we stepped inside, spotlights hit us.

The surrounding chatter and clinking glasses immediately went silent.

A strange dizziness washed over me.

For a brief moment, it felt less like a corporate banquet and more like my wedding with Olivia.

And then the host's voice confirmed what I was thinking.

He cleared his throat and loudly recited blessings about everlasting love and happiness.

Then he announced that the signing ceremony would officially begin after Olivia's engagement banquet.

As his final words landed, I finally snapped out of it. I tried to shake Olivia off, but she clung tightly to my arm.

"Patrick, you'd better cooperate with me tonight!" Her voice was sharp with warning.

I let out a cold laugh and used all my strength to pry her hand off me.

Under the stunned and gossipy stares of the crowd, I spoke calmly.

"Today's engagement ceremony is nothing more than a performance personally orchestrated by Olivia. I knew nothing about it, and I do not accept it.

"Olivia and I no longer have any kind of relationship. She and her assistant, Shawn, are already legally married. I have no interest in interfering in someone else's marriage.

"And finally, I formally announce that as of today, I am no longer an employee of the Ranch Group. I will not be involved in any future business matters for the company."

At the end, I looked at Olivia and smiled.

"I've already transferred the penalty fee for my resignation into your account. From now on, we're done."

Olivia stood frozen in place. Her hands clenched tightly around the fabric of her gown as she stared at me in disbelief.

Then I turned and walked away.

Realizing I wasn't joking, the representatives from the signing company angrily slammed their wine glasses down and stormed out in a group, leaving behind only one furious remark.

"What a complete circus."

The smaller companies that had been invited to the banquet, however, stayed right where they were, all eager to watch the spectacle unfold.

Just as I reached for the doors, Olivia finally snapped back to reality.

Shouting orders at the bodyguards, she ran toward me in a panic.

"Patrick, stop right there!"