Chapter 5

The woman in her early twenties stood in the middle of the crowd, smiling as she shook hands with one coworker after another.

Simply because she'd caught the attention of the big boss, even her supervisors were now bowing and scraping in front of her.

"Ms. Campbell, when are you and Mr. Cox getting married? Don't forget to invite us to the wedding!"

"Once you two tie the knot, you can have a baby next year. Poppy, you'll really have it all!"

...

Poppy's cheeks flushed as she turned toward Cameron, who smiled without saying anything. Yet that was enough for everyone to take it as an unspoken confirmation.

I couldn't help finding the whole spectacle ridiculous. Years ago, someone had noticed the unusual vibe between Cameron and me and started spreading rumors around the office.

Cameron had been furious enough to fire the employee responsible and issue a strict order forbidding anyone from gossiping about relationships in the office.

Yet after Poppy arrived, that ironclad rule had somehow disappeared. Apparently, Cameron hadn't hated office gossip after all; he'd simply hated hearing people gossip about us.

The moment I walked into the room, the celebration fell silent.

Everyone turned toward me with expressions ranging from contempt to barely concealed amusement, as though they were waiting to see what would happen to the secretary who had angered the big boss.

"Well, well. If it isn't Stephanie, the secretary who's supposedly quitting." Cameron's cold gaze swept over me before he glanced at the clock. "It's already eleven. You're two hours late, so I'm counting this as half a day of unexcused absence."

I knew he was deliberately making things difficult for me. I'd put up with him for ten years, and now I wasn't willing to spend another minute doing so.

I'd already made myself clear, but he was still determined to drag this out as though the entire world should revolve around him.

When I remained silent, his expression grew even darker.

"Didn't you say you weren't capable enough for this job? If you can't handle being a secretary anymore, I'll transfer you to the Facilities Department."

I had only claimed so because I needed an excuse to resign. After everything I'd done for the company, there was no way he could have forgotten how many deals I'd brought in or how much I'd contributed to the business.

Yet now, he was throwing my own words back at me. I knew he was trying to spite me. It was simply childish.

Poppy grabbed Cameron's arm and spoke with feigned concern. "Cameron, that's not fair. Stephanie is capable, and everyone knows how much she's done for the company."

Several employees exchanged uneasy looks. No one could deny that I'd practically given the company nine years of my life, but I had long since grown tired of these pointless battles.

I simply waved a hand. "There's no need for all this. Just sign the agreement."

Cameron froze, his mouth parting as though he was finally about to say something useful. But Poppy suddenly started sobbing, "Maybe they're right. I guess I'm not qualified for the position after all. I'll give the vice president position to Stephanie."

"You earned that position through your ability," Cameron reassured her. "I won't let anyone question it."

Turning back to me, he was still convinced that I was just throwing a tantrum.

"Go work in Facilities for now," he said, entitled. "Once the company goes public, you can stay home and enjoy yourself. I'll take care of you."

I almost laughed.

Was that his idea of taking care of me? Keeping me at home to have his children, raise them, handle the housework, and then come begging to him whenever I needed money?

In other words, he wanted a wife who would function as a free maid while he went on living his life.

What a joke!

I glanced at the time on my phone. "Sorry, but I have a flight to catch. Whatever else you have to say can wait."

I started toward the elevator, then stopped and looked back at him with a faint, almost triumphant smile. "Oh, I almost forgot. We don't have a future anymore."