Chapter 4

Or maybe they wanted to provoke me.

They went everywhere together.

Whenever Marcus attended an event, Hannah appeared beside him as his female companion.

She even started acting like the lady of the company, ordering people around and waiting for me to leave so she could take my place.

Riley complained about them several times.

I patted her shoulder.

"Hold steady. Let her get arrogant."

After Hannah's fifth attempt to provoke me failed to get a reaction, she finally could not keep pretending.

She stormed into my office without knocking.

"Marcus doesn't want you anymore. Why are you still clinging to this place?"

I casually straightened the newest designer blazer on her shoulder.

"Men are simple. Their money goes where their love goes.

"Don't tell me you forgot. I own forty-nine percent of this company. What do you have?

"Want to bet? If he is willing to give you ten percent of the company, I'll give up my shares and leave.

"If he refuses, you leave. Dare?"

Her face went pale.

But in the end, she nodded.

"Fine. Bet. Don't regret it."

A few days later, Hannah brought Marcus into my office.

She slammed a share transfer agreement on my desk.

When I saw the clause transferring fifteen percent to her, I laughed.

"Constance, stop pretending you're calm. Pack up and get out."

Marcus looked at me unnaturally.

"Constance, don't blame me for helping her. It's just a bet. Think of it as a consolation prize for a young girl."

Then his tone shifted.

"But businesspeople value credibility. Even a private bet must be honored."

"Don't worry. Even if you give up your equity, I'll still marry you. You can be Mrs. Vale."

"Your monthly allowance will only go up, not down."

"As for Hannah, I won't let her appear in front of you again or challenge your position."

After all these years, he had not learned much, but he had somehow learned to dream of having both.

"Marcus, what a beautiful calculation. You expect me to give up dividends and go home to become a woman who asks you for spending money?"

"I don't want it."

Hannah produced a recording of me clearly saying I would honor the bet and give up my equity.

Then she handed me a voluntary equity waiver.

Riley's eyes reddened, and she rushed forward to snatch it.

I stopped her.

Then I picked up the pen and signed.

Hannah's face flushed with excitement.

A complicated emotion flashed through Marcus's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by triumph.

I set down the pen.

"Enough?"

Marcus nodded and announced to everyone, "From now on, Hannah is my partner. She will replace Constance's position."

Some employees looked frightened.

Others immediately began flattering Hannah.

"We'll follow Ms. Price's instructions from now on."

"What are you waiting for? Move Ms. Rivers's things out and make room for Ms. Price."

The thermos Marcus once bought me was knocked to the ground and dented.

The blanket I knitted myself fell and was stepped on.

Even the orchid I had raised for years had a branch snapped off.

I did not stop them. I did not get angry.

I only remembered the day we moved into this office and Marcus spun me around in his arms.

"Constance, we did it. This is our business empire."

My vision blurred for a second, then cleared.

I quietly watched the place I had fought for over the years be emptied piece by piece.

Only when the sign on my office door changed to Ms. Price's Office did I turn around.

I walked straight into Marcus's office and sat in his chair.

"Marcus," I said, "you are now dismissed."