Chapter 3

Chloe Belle looked at Ethan Calderon with an admiring gaze.

“James, did you see that? That’s what a truly intelligent person says!”

“Unlike you, all talk and no action, just making a fool of yourself.”

I didn’t speak, waiting to see how Belle Corp.’s people would react.

Chloe Belle shifted her gaze to everyone else, her voice carrying an undeniable authority.

“You all heard what was said, didn’t you?”

“So I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Do you support Ethan Calderon as Vice President? Or James as Vice President? Let’s decide by a show of hands.”

“Now, those who support Ethan Calderon as Vice President, please raise your hands!”

Everyone saw that Chloe Belle highly valued her assistant; who would dare to defy her and not raise their hand?

Everyone in the room, except me, raised their hands in approval.

Ethan Calderon smirked, very pleased with the scene before him.

Chloe Belle curled her lips into a smile, nodding with equal satisfaction.

I instantly understood; she was humiliating me in public.

“Those who support James remaining as Vice President, please raise your hands!”

Everyone exchanged glances; no one raised a hand.

Ethan Calderon scoffed and raised his hand, and even Chloe Belle looked a bit bewildered.

Only I knew why he raised his hand.

“Oh, my! How can you treat our current Vice President this way?”

“At least one person could raise their hand so James wouldn't lose face completely, right?”

My confusion vanished, and his mockery grew stronger.

“I’m such a considerate person; seeing James so pathetic, I just had to raise my hand.”

“Oh, James! Don’t be sad, I’ll hold onto that position for you really well.”

He looked at me with a fake smile. I didn't get angry; I just lightly tapped the table.

“Chloe, it’s not that I underestimate your abilities.”

“Belle Corp. is a legitimate company, after all. You’re dismissing a Vice President by letting a bunch of nobodies make the decision? Without the shareholders’ input?”

I was going to leave, but not by being casually dismissed by this bunch of worthless people.

Honestly, without me, Belle Corp. would probably be close to bankruptcy.

“James, are you looking down on us?”

Someone slammed the table and stood up, starting to openly oppose me, seeing I was at a disadvantage.

“Exactly! We are senior executives of Belle Corp. Don’t we have the right to vote?”

I pulled out my phone, sent a message, and then stood up.

“Yes!”

“Simply put, to fire me, you need the support of the board of directors.”

Seeing me about to leave, Ethan Calderon called out, smiling.

“Wait!”

“Didn’t you say Robertson Corp. representatives would bring a contract to cancel the deal?”

“What, can’t keep up the act anymore?”

“See! That’s the kind of competence our Vice President uses to help Belle Corp. thrive.”

“Laugh all you want!”

“Anyway, everyone gets arrogant when they’re in power.”

“The partnership between Robertson Corp. and Belle Corp. depends on tomorrow’s board meeting.”

If they want to dig their own grave, I won't stop them.

After my figure disappeared through the door, everyone stopped laughing.

My departure didn't cause a ripple; instead, they continued ordering food and occasionally mocked me for entertainment.

Back home, I washed away the day’s fatigue.

Holding a bottle of red wine in one hand and a glass in the other, I lay on the single sofa on the balcony, poured myself a glass, and slowly savored it.

Just then, my phone vibrated.