Chapter 2

Celeste was momentarily stunned, not expecting me to resign.

I had given up a high-paying opportunity to support her startup, even invested half of my savings into the company without asking for any shares.

I drank with clients till dawn, putting up with being treated like a clown. To perfect projects, I worked on just three to four hours of sleep, pushing myself to multiple cardiac arrests.

Now that the company is big, anyone would think twice before leaving.

Celeste, realizing this, laughed coldly. "Think carefully, resigning means no compensation. Even as my boyfriend, there's no exception."

"I know. But I'll take them all with me."

"Here are their resignation letters. Have a look."

I handed her a stack of resignation forms from the colleagues who had their bonuses docked.

They had long been fed up with Celeste's exploitation and favoritism towards Finn. They'd been submitting resignation applications to me, which I had been holding back.

I tried convincing them to hang on, assuring them Celeste wasn't always like this. Maybe she just needed time for Finn to adapt.

They didn't believe me, but for my sake, they stayed.

This incident, however, left us all disheartened.

Celeste's face darkened.

"A bunch of ingrates. I supported them for four years, and they show no gratitude."

"Forget it, I'm too tired to argue."

She quickly tore up the resignation letters and tossed them into the trash.

"Let's just forget about this incident. I won't hold it against you, okay?"

Celeste acted magnanimous.

But I knew she didn't have the luxury to hold a grudge.

Despite her disdain for us and favoritism for Finn, she was well aware that most of the company's operations were in our hands. If we left, the company would collapse.

Perhaps fearing I might press further, Celeste tried to ease the tension.

"Let's just end this matter here."

"Knowing you were so stubborn, I shouldn't have set a year-end bonus."

"These cars add up to over five million, you know. Don't forget it's your money too. We're now further from getting married, it's heartbreaking."

Celeste sighed, but I found it mildly amusing.

She often said things like that. She had a bank card where she deposited money each month, telling me we would marry once it reached ten million.

I believed her completely, often secretly adding money to it myself.

It wasn't until last month that I stumbled upon the fact that the card, which should have contained nine million, had only five million left.

Upon checking the statements, I discovered she spent the money on dates and gifts for Finn.

Shoes costing twenty to thirty thousand each pair, and she had given over twenty pairs in just half a year. Underwear costing two thousand each, and she once bought eighteen pairs. A seafood banquet for their dates cost at least eighty thousand per table.

These were luxuries I couldn't even dream of.

Yet, whenever I wanted to buy a new outfit for a hundred bucks, she'd scold me for being wasteful, questioning if I was serious about marriage.

It was absurd. I often blamed myself, not realizing that she was the one not serious about marriage.

I couldn't understand how she could lie so effortlessly.

Just as I was about to speak, her phone rang.

Celeste dismissed me, stepping onto the balcony to take the call. Whatever was said seemed to lift her spirits, as she returned humming a tune, looking pleased.

Seeing me, she suddenly seemed to remember something, her smile fading, her expression turning awkward.

"A business partner needs to see me. I have to go, take some time to think things over at home."

I didn't bother to confront her. I watched her pick an outfit from the closet, choose a different purse, and then leave.

I checked the bank card details.

Just then, another hundred thousand was withdrawn.

The payee was a bar she frequented with Finn.

After a few moments of silence, I picked up my phone and called the police.