Chapter 4

Emily bit her lip, and she continued insulting me. "Are you out of your mind, Chad? You're already 35! Just ask around! Who would want you besides me? You can't survive on your own without me taking care of you!"

I knew she was trying to manipulate me into changing my mind.

When the company was first established, Emily told me that I was her savior and her hope. I was her right-hand man, her mental support, and the reason she kept working hard day after day.

However, now, I was just ‘useless’ to her.

Ivan smiled and leaned over to show off the brand-new Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. He gently touched Emily's hair and said softly, "Don't be sad, Em. I'm the only one who will never leave you.

“I don't need anything from you, but if Chad wants money so badly, I'm willing to sacrifice everything I have to compensate him."

Emily looked a little surprised as she turned to meet Ivan's eyes.

There was a time when I wanted to call her 'Em' too, but Emily lost her temper when I did. It took me a long time to cajole her and swear I would never call her that again before she was finally appeased. I guessed it was a nickname only Ivan could use.

I snapped out of it and saw Ivan about to take off his employee badge when he suddenly hugged his belly and exclaimed in pain. Emily became flustered, and she stood up right away, glaring at me accusingly.

"That's enough. You triggered Ivan's gastritis by wasting our time. Take your resignation letter back! I don't want this to happen again."

I sighed softly as I watched them walk away. I left the resignation letter on her desk.

Nothing mattered anymore.

As I walked out of the building, I got a notification that $600,000 had been transferred to my bank account, with a note from Emily.

Emily: [I know I was harsh. Please treat yourself to something delicious, my handsome Chad.]

This was the first time Emily had given in to me, and it took me by surprise. That was also when my friend Liam texted me.

Liam: [Did you fight with Emily, Chad? She sounded unhappy when I called her just now. Don't be mad. She just hasn't let go of the betrayal she experienced back then. Give her some time.]

I was suddenly reminded of how Emily's friend had been upset on my behalf. I was about to leave the country, so I had to at least meet up with my friends to tie up loose ends. After all, I might never return.

At that thought, I replied to his text.

Chad: [I'm fine. I'm preparing to leave the country for a project, and I might not be back for several years. How about having a meal before I leave?]

After I texted all my friends, everyone promised to meet up for a farewell lunch the next day. That night, I stayed at a hotel and had a great sleep.

The next morning, I cleaned up quickly and headed to the restaurant, only to see two familiar faces sitting at a couple’s table.

Emily helped Ivan cut up his steak and fed him intimately, while Ivan returned the favor and fed Emily too. They seemed at ease, and it did not look like their first time doing this. Emily's ears turned red, and she looked shy as he fed her.

Once, I used my utensils to help Emily cut up her steak, and she got so mad that she threw it away and refused to eat it, claiming it was covered in germs and unhygienic. However, it did not bother her when Ivan fed her.

When the restaurant staff saw me, he welcomed me and said, "Are you Mr. Chad Lyman? You may follow me to the private room."

Emily and Ivan turned to look at me when they heard him, and the look on their faces changed. Emily looked shocked and flustered, and she pulled away from Ivan to wipe her hand with a serviette.

Ivan relaxed instead, and he threw me a taunting look. "How did you find out that Em and I were having a meal here, Chad? How vain of you to dine at such a high-end restaurant the moment you run into some money."

Emily frowned and stared at my crumpled shirt. "Why weren't you home last night? Where did you go?"