All Chapters of The Promotion Built on My Broken Hands: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The moment I said it, my boyfriend, Marcus Winters, slapped me twice across the face.He frowned and snapped, "What are you making a scene for now?"Everything I did was for your own good. And now you're using resignation to punish me?"The sharp sound of the slap drew every eye in the room.Marcus's favorite protégée, Sophie Moresby, immediately stepped forward to defend him when she saw his expression darken."I honestly don't know what else you want. Marcus has already done so much for you. Why are you still not satisfied?"If Marcus hadn't vouched for you in front of the board chair, do you think you'd still be standing here after abusing your authority and monopolizing the department's only competition slot year after year? You should know better than to be ungrateful."Then she turned to Marcus, full of righteous anger."Marcus, I really don't think you should keep protecting her. Look at her face. Does she look sorry at all?"Your kindness is completely wasted on her."

Sophie had never been qualified to join the company in the first place.She had simply been lucky enough to run into Marcus when he was heading out.They had not seen each other in years, yet after one meal, Marcus arranged everything for her.Just like that, she became a member of the senior design team.At first, I thought she was honest and hardworking, only a little weak in technical skill.Then I asked her to help organize a draft and discovered she did not even understand basic color correction.From that day on, I realized Sophie's problem was not that her design ability was weak.She had no design ability at all.I told Marcus many times that she could not pass the monthly review and that keeping her there would only hurt her.Every time, Marcus agreed. Every time, he did nothing.Then I caught him secretly giving my drafts to Sophie.Only then did I understand. It was not that he refused to listen. He simply had no intention of removing Sophie.Even after I caught

Before he could finish, I cut him off."Marcus, we're breaking up."He froze. The words he had been about to say vanished.When he reacted, he asked in shock, "Why?"I don't accept this!"Then he remembered the rumors from the office that he and Sophie were together and assumed that was what bothered me.He immediately explained, "Don't listen to the department gossip. Sophie and I are only close because I mentored her."If anything were going to happen between us, would we have waited until now?"I had heard that excuse so many times I was tired of it.Every time, he used it to silence me.And every time before this, I believed him. I thought their relationship was just unusually close.But every incident after that made doubt impossible to ignore.What happened today only gave me a chance to say what I should have said long ago.Seeing the reluctance in his eyes, I exposed him coldly."Isn't it exactly what you want if I break up with you first?"Then you can openly tr

Mr. Collins paused, glanced at Sophie, opened another document, and continued."Sophie Moresby submitted a fraudulent work in the United Design Competition, a serious violation of the contest rules. By decision of Human Resources, effective immediately, Sophie Moresby is no longer an employee of this company. Her final month's salary will be withheld as part of the damages."Sophie's heart seemed to drop. Her eyelids twitched wildly.Marcus froze on the spot.The watching employees drew sharp breaths.The office atmosphere plunged into ice.I set down the things in my hands, clapped lightly, and laughed."Didn't I say the appointment hadn't been released yet? You were celebrating too early."Now your promotion party has turned into a going-away party."Then I looked at the opportunists who had just been flattering Marcus and Sophie."Though I suppose it makes no difference to you. A celebration dinner and a farewell dinner are both still dinner."Sophie glared at me and aske

The board chair stopped me, his voice full of regret."Julia, are you truly not willing to stay?"If you agree to stay, I won't have to hesitate about who should take the president seat."With your talent, you never should have remained only a director."As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and sighed deeply.I shook my head and refused.He continued with regret, "Very well. I can't force you. You have your own choice. I hope we still have a chance to work together in the future."Collins, see Julia out."I thanked the board chair, then walked away without looking back.Marcus still stood there, stunned.He had sensed something from the board chair's words, but he did not dare face it.Seeing that Marcus still refused to understand, the board chair finally revealed the private agreement between us."Marcus, both you and Julia were talents I valued. It pains me to see things end this way."You still don't know, do you? Julia and I had an agreement."If she won the