Chapter 3

Noah remained expressionless as his knuckles tapped impatiently on the conference table, waiting for me to give in.

Seeing the tension, Jessie hurried to my side. "Lola, are you really mad because Noah stayed with me in the hospital for one night? Or do you doubt my abilities? Don’t make me sad!"

The intense scent of her perfume overwhelmed me.

I instinctively turned my head, meeting Noah's disapproving gaze.

"Lola, don't bring your personal emotions into work," he said in a lowered voice.

I tightened my grip on the mouse and projected the data onto the white screen. "Mr. Lucas, this proposal was refined through repeated data analysis. It's the hard work of the entire team working overtime for a month."

Jessie stiffened for a second before she sheepishly smiled. "Don't be mad. If you don't want it, I won't do it. Don't argue at the company, you two."

After saying that, she lowered her head as her eyes turned slightly red, opened the door, and left.

Noah threw his pen onto the table. "This meeting is over. Lola, stay."

Chairs moved one after another. No one dared to stay for another second.

A suffocating silence ensued.

Noah and I sat on opposite sides.

"What's wrong with you today? Haven't you ever gambled on controversial traffic? You publicly undermined Jessie. How is the team supposed to work with her in the future?"

I felt myself growing numb. Then, I looked up and came clean. "Noah, after this Mother's Day event, I'm leaving Noala. You said it yourself: it's a gamble. This is my last project, and I just want it to end successfully."

His expression changed drastically as he stood up abruptly. "Are you still throwing a tantrum? I don't need a stay-at-home wife. Jessie saved you back then, and now that she's in a slump, you're unwilling to lend a hand? Lola, you're so cold-blooded that I don't even recognize you anymore."

'Was my decision to leave not enough?' I pondered as I refused to say anything more. I closed my laptop and left the conference room.

I walked to the pantry entrance, and Jason's voice came from inside. "Lola held back just now. She didn't even bring up the fact that Jessie's conversion rate fell below the minimum standard in her last three campaigns."

Another colleague sighed as well. "She comes to the company every day in Mr. Lucas' passenger seat, and she gets preferential treatment in terms of resources. Is she also taking over Lola's place as the boss's partner?"

Sensing someone behind me, I turned around to see Noah one step away.

Looking at his stiff back, I knew he had heard them too.

"They don't understand. Don't overthink it." He glanced at me briefly before hurrying toward the elevator.

A moment later, I saw his car leave the parking garage. Jessie's freshly done manicure was visible by the passenger window.

During lunch break, my office door opened gently, and a blanket was draped over me.

I was not asleep, so I got up.

Noah placed a beautifully packaged bag in front of me. "Jessie picked this out for you. She said you'd love it. I finally managed to squeeze in a weekend, but I couldn't spend it with you, so consider this my apology."

I opened it and saw a necklace from a top luxury brand's new collection. I really liked it.

Then, Noah took out six cups of coffee. "Please give these to your team members on Jessie’s behalf. She and the mother of three will take turns hosting the Mother's Day campaign. Everyone needs to cooperate with the new plan."

It turned out this was not an apology. He just wanted something.

I still checked my phone, intending to call Jason to pick up the coffee, since it was a perk for my colleagues. However, I then saw Jessie’s Facebook post.

[A new gift from the generous boss!]

Unsurprisingly, she had the same necklace too.

I quietly opened my drawer and tossed the jewelry inside.

Staying here would not change anything. I might as well leave sooner.

I opened my airline app and booked a flight ticket for tomorrow night.