Chapter 3

After Lucky's cremation, I buried him next to my mother's tombstone.

Early on the third day, Professor Davies sent me the exact departure time. I replied, "Received," then walked into the Human Resources office.

The process of formally resigning went unusually smoothly, perhaps they had been displeased with me for a while.

As soon as I closed the office door, hushed voices drifted out:

"Quitting just like that? It's different when your fiancée is about to be CEO. I heard Valerie's grandmother designated half her trust fund to him."

"What CEO's husband? They're not even married yet. I bet it's because Valerie transferred his key project to Brandon."

"Wasn't that the project he'd been working on for almost two years? It was almost finished. Letting Brandon take over now is like letting him just waltz in and claim the credit."

"So what? Brandon is Valerie's favorite."

I couldn't blame them for thinking that. As soon as Brandon returned to the country, Valerie gave him a Senior Vice President position. Even though he was completely unqualified, she would personally hand projects to him.

She even made me pull all-nighters to revise proposals for Brandon, to entertain clients for him, until I ended up hospitalized with a stomach hemorrhage. Even then, she merely said, "You owe him."

Listening to the continuous mockery, my heart remained calm.

I just wished time would pass faster.

Paperwork done, I returned to the apartment with a box of personal belongings, only to find Valerie and Brandon having breakfast in the dining room, chatting and laughing.

Watching Valerie naturally feed Brandon a bite of food, my fingers tightened slightly.

Once, I accidentally used her water glass, and she immediately hired a professional team to disinfect the entire kitchen, sternly warning me to mind my boundaries.

Turns out she wasn't a germaphobe; she just recoiled from intimacy with me.

Seeing me return, Brandon deliberately hooked his finger around Valerie's hand, his tone light but subtly pointed. "Valerie, if you gave Julian's position to me, won't he be upset?"

Valerie didn't even lift her head, scoffing. "I'm the CEO. Do I need his permission for my decisions?"

"But he hasn't been home for days."

"Let him throw a tantrum, ignore him." Valerie's voice was impatient.

A victorious smile flickered in Brandon's eyes, and he leaned casually on her shoulder, an intimate gesture.

I remained silent, walking straight towards the stairs.

"Julian!" Valerie finally noticed me, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face. She angrily dropped her knife and fork onto her plate, ordering, "Stop!"

I didn't stop. She took a few quick steps and grabbed my arm.

"Julian, are you done with your tantrum? You decided to come back?" She reached for the box in my arms.

I stepped aside to avoid her. "Don't bother, you have other things to tend to."

Valerie's face darkened further, about to erupt, when Brandon's voice chimed in, just the right hint of dependence. "Valerie, I'd love some scrambled eggs. Yours are the best."

"Okay." Valerie immediately turned and walked to the kitchen.

I was about to head to my room when Brandon blocked the staircase.

"Something wrong?" I looked at him.

He glanced towards the kitchen, his docile expression vanishing.

"You heard it all, didn't you?" He lowered his voice, an undisguised arrogance in his tone. "Julian, you know perfectly well Valerie's heart belongs to me. If her grandmother hadn't forced her, do you really think you'd have been in this position?"

"I heard the old lady left you a lot of stuff? Don't actually think those things are yours." He advanced half a step, his gaze intense. "Be smart, hand over that agreement yourself. If I say the word, she'll make you leave anytime."

He paused, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I forgot. Your family is gone. You're pretty much a stray dog with nowhere to go now. No wonder you're clinging to Valerie so desperately."

I could endure any humiliation he threw at me.

But he shouldn't have mentioned my family. A cold fury instantly gripped my heart. I lowered my voice, each word deliberate. "Brandon, shut your mouth."

"Julian! What crazy stunt are you pulling now?!" Valerie's angry shout came from the kitchen doorway. She had clearly heard my low growl and quickly rushed over, instinctively shielding Brandon behind her.

I froze. In that instant, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brandon's mouth twitch almost imperceptibly. Then, his foot slipped, he let out a gasp, and his body seemed to lose balance, falling backward, but his hand "accidentally" slammed hard into my arm.

I was already standing at the edge of the stairs, holding a box and off-balance. The sudden force sent me sprawling backward, tumbling down the stairs. Excruciating pain shot through my entire body.

"Julian!" Valerie dropped what she was holding and rushed down the stairs to help me.

Brandon followed, a hint of panic and helplessness on his face. He clutched his arm, his brow furrowed, and explained to Valerie, "Valerie, I... I lost my footing and accidentally bumped him. I'm so sorry." His voice was soft, with a deliberate note of suppressed pain, but his gaze darted quickly to me, a fleeting, almost imperceptible coldness in his eyes.

Valerie checked Brandon to make sure he was okay, then frowned at me. "Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital? Brandon didn't mean it, don't make a big deal out of this."

I shook my head, turning my face away in pain, only to see my resignation letter and that confidential document lying scattered among my belongings.