Chapter 2

That day, the Human Resources Department informed me that I would be promoted. All my colleagues flocked to me to express their early congratulations.

Just as I was basking in my achievement, Yelena suddenly called me.

"Where the hell have you gone? Why isn't there anything of yours left in the house? Even if you're throwing a tantrum, there should still be a limit!

"I'm utterly exhausted after the past few days, and now that I've returned, I still have to deal with a man-child like you! Could you stop acting up and just cut me some slack?"

Today was a joyous day, and I didn't want her to affect my mood. Besides, it wasn't like this was the first time I'd had a taste of her self-centered arrogance.

"We're divorcing, so isn't it natural that I have to move out? This is just perfect for Phillip, isn't it? I've already cleared out my space so he can move right in without any delays. I assume you've already signed the divorce agreement? In that case, see you later in the afternoon at the courthouse.

"Oh, right. You might as well bring Phillip along too. The city hall is right next to the courthouse, so it's quite convenient for you two. You can just go ahead and get married right there and then."

Upon hearing that, Yelena exploded with rage. After all, in all our years of marriage, I had never once talked back to her.

Back when we were still in love with each other, I could accept every part of her. Lovestruck as I was, her arrogant and conceited behavior had seemed adorable to me.

However, she took advantage of my love and grew increasingly selfish and petty, to the point that she stopped loving me.

Now that things had developed to this point, I certainly wouldn't endure her behavior in silence and let her have her way anymore.

"Carter Chance, who the hell agreed to divorce you? Who gave you permission to move out? I didn't sign the divorce agreement, nor will I go to the courthouse to divorce you! You can just give up right now!

"You knew about Phillip long before this, so what's with the extreme reaction this time? Especially since you clearly know there's no way I'm marrying him!"

A marriage was supposed to be a union between two people, so the moment a third person appeared, it was over.

This was particularly true for our case, as Phillip had been around for a long while now, and things should've ended between us long ago.

However, perhaps it was due to Melinda's illness, or perhaps it was my own indignant reluctance, but I had allowed this to drag on for close to a year before finally making up my mind.

Melinda's last words to me had thoroughly enlightened me, so I definitely wouldn't be swayed now.

"You know better than anyone else whether you still love me or not. There's no need to cling on to what doesn't exist anymore. We will be getting a divorce, and that's an irrefutable fact.

"Even if you don't sign the papers, I'll just take this case to court. You've left behind way too much evidence, so I'll definitely win the case.

"If you don't want things to turn too ugly, then just quickly sign the papers. That would be the best outcome for me, you, and Phillip."

The crash of shattering glass rang in my ear as she threw something to the floor.

I understood her too well, so I knew that after she realized she wouldn't be able to change what was inevitable, her shame and frustration would turn into anger.

Her next step would be to threaten me, but my heart had died along with Melinda. There was nothing she could hold over my head.

"Fine, you can have your way! Let's divorce! However, since we're divorced and you've already moved your things out of my house, shouldn't you also be leaving my family's company? Surely, you'll want to cut ties cleanly, right? So there's no way you'll insist on staying?"

I was instantly rendered speechless, not expecting her to resort to this trick.

I had joined Lipton Corporation immediately after graduating and slowly worked my way up on my own. By the time Yelena and I started dating, I was already a department manager.

Even after we married, my every promotion had been earned through hard work and dedication, with my achievements speaking for themselves. Successful business negotiations had brought me to the position of general manager, not my marriage to Yelena!

Today, I had learned that I was to be promoted to the position of CEO, only for her to suddenly threaten me with it.

"Yelena Lipton, the company doesn't belong to you alone. You need the entire board of directors to discuss and agree to firing me before you can do it.

"Do you think you're scaring me with that threat? Everyone is a witness to all that I've contributed to the company all these years, so don't think you can take me down that easily!"

I was confident I could stay on in the company. After all, I'd accumulated quite a substantial amount of resources and contacts over the years, and those weren't connections that Lipton Corporation would readily give up.

I was nothing like Phillip. He was a good-for-nothing who only knew how to seduce women; I had clawed my way up from the bottom with my own hands, so I was naturally assured of my position.

"It's alright! If you refuse to leave, then be a good dog and continue working for my family's company. In fact, you can stay in the position of general manager till you die! I heard that you were just about to be promoted. Well, don't you worry. With me around, there's no way you'll succeed!"