Chapter 4

Anne straightened up, with a faint, knowing smile on her face.

“Stop making a scene, Sean.

“We've been together for nine years. Everyone in our circle knows that.

“Besides, who would want a man in his thirties?

“You know it as well as I do, without the company—and without me—you're nothing."

So these were her true thoughts. Even though I'd already given up, my heart still ached as if pierced.

I forced down the lump rising in my throat.

"I'm not messing around. I’ve already canceled the appointment. It was supposed to be that day…"

Before I could finish, Anne's phone rang.

Her voice immediately softened when she answered it.

"What is it, Shawny? What did Cloudview say?"

The panic in the voice on the other end made her expression change instantly.

As soon as she hung up, she strode toward the door.

"We'll postpone getting the marriage license. Something's happened with Shawn."

Before I could say a word, she hurried out the door.

I laughed at myself. Whenever something happened to Shawn, it was enough to shatter Anne's composure.

After a long while, I pulled out my suitcase, packed my belongings, and headed to the office to complete my resignation.

The moment I arrived, the entire office felt heavy with tension.

Leo leaned over, speaking barely above a whisper.

"Sean... something went wrong with the Cloudview project. There was an error in the core data, and the client is furious."

I froze. At that moment, Shawn walked out.

“Sean, Anne wants to see you."

The smile tugging at the corner of his mouth filled me with a bad feeling.

When I entered the office, Anne’s brows were tightly furrowed.

“Did you do it on purpose?”

I blurted out instinctively, “Do what on purpose?”

Shawn's eyes reddened.

“Anne... I sent the files Sean gave me without changing anything. I really don't know why he would do this.

“Even if he doesn't like me, he shouldn't jeopardize the company's interests!”

Just two lighthearted sentences, yet every drop of blood in my body rushed to my head.

I looked at Anne in disbelief.

"You think I deliberately gave him the wrong data?"

Her face remained cold, but she didn't deny it.

My fingertips trembled with anger.

“Anne, when have I ever made a mistake like that?”

Every project I'd handled over the years had been flawless, and she knew better than anyone how meticulous I was.

But after hearing me out, she remained unmoved.

"Nobody but you has a reason to ruin this project. You've been at odds with me lately.

"You couldn't accept that I gave the project to him, so you deliberately set Shawn up to fail, hoping I'd regret it. Am I wrong?”

Her words were like a bucket of ice water poured straight over me.

I stopped expecting her trust. Instead, I let out a cold laugh.

“The transfer records are still there. Check them yourself.”

A trace of hesitation flickered across Anne's face. Just then, Shawn stepped forward in tears and grabbed my arm.

“Sean, it's fine if you don't like me, but why hurt the company?"

I didn't want to watch his pathetic act anymore. I yanked my arm away, accidentally grazing his face with my finger.

I barely used any force, but he clutched his cheek and collapsed onto the floor.

Anne immediately seized my wrist, disgust written all over her face.

"You really are beyond redemption."

She turned to Shawn and said in a deep voice, “Shawny. Get up. Hit him back.”

I couldn't believe it.

Anne couldn't see how fake he was, yet she still allowed Shawn to get away with his behavior.

A flash of satisfaction crossed Shawn's eyes.

I stared at Anne and enunciated each word clearly, “The biggest regret of my life was joining your company."

Smack.

My head snapped to one side.

The room fell silent.

Anne slowly let go of my wrist, but her tone remained as condescending as ever.

“I can't stand by and watch you keep making the same mistakes.”

I glanced at her before turning and walking away.

The moment I got home, I saw the official statement released by the company.

[Sean Reed committed serious professional misconduct by deliberately leaking confidential project data. Effective immediately, his employment has been terminated!]

My head buzzed, and my mind went completely blank.

For Shawn's sake, she was willing to smear my reputation across the entire industry, completely cutting off any path left for me.

Just then, a message from her came in.

[As long as you apologize to Shawny, I'll let you return to the company after the project is over.]

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, the sharp sting brought about clarity.

I didn't reply. I picked up my suitcase and walked out of that home without looking back.