Chapter 4

I didn't expect his "next week" to be so immediate.

Two days later, he'd already handled the most critical matters and rushed back. The first thing he said when we met was: "Come on, let's go to city hall."

I teased him: "I'm not someone who goes back on my word. I'm not going to run away."

He gripped my hand tightly, slowly interlacing our fingers. This usually mature man was happy as a child:

"I'm afraid something might change if we wait."

He didn't want to wait even a second longer. He took me to complete the marriage registration.

When we received that legally binding marriage certificate, he finally relaxed completely.

That night—our wedding night—Victor sent me a text:

"Okay, I'm not angry anymore. Come back home. The house feels empty without you. I'm not used to it."

I didn't respond.

The day after our wedding, Adrian had to return overseas due to urgent business matters.

Before he left, he gave me an unlimited black card and the keys to an estate in the western district.

After moving, I went back to work as usual.

What I didn't expect was that Charlotte would be assigned to my project team as an intern.

"Victor said this project is my responsibility now."

"Since we're so 'close,' hand everything over."

She actually walked past me and went straight to my computer, reaching out to operate it.

I blocked her: "That's not your workstation."

"Victor said I can use whichever computer I want here."

She even pulled open my unlocked drawer and took out a core proposal draft I'd spent half a month on and just finalized, flipping through it carelessly.

"What is this garbage?" She pursed her lips and actually picked up my pen from the desk and scribbled several black lines across key data on several pages. "I don't think this works. It needs to be redone. Oh, but it's my responsibility now anyway."

Especially when she saw I was calm and not losing it like she'd imagined, she kept trying to provoke me with words:

"Victor and I are getting married soon. This company will be mine eventually. Are you going to hand things over or not?"

"Is this the level of a VP?!"

"No wonder Victor doesn't want you—you work like a zombie, no potential at all!"

I stared at her coldly: "Unlike you, who's like a rat—only knows how to steal."

"If you're not satisfied, you can request a transfer."

She angrily raised her hand to hit me, but I grabbed it mid-air.

"If you don't want the whole industry to know you got ahead by stealing trade secrets, go ahead and act out!"

She angrily jerked her hand back and glared at me viciously.

In the end, she seized control of the project and arrogantly ordered me:

"Organize all the raw data and give it to me!"

I reminded her: "This proposal involves the company's core secrets. You need to sign confirming you're taking over, and you'll be fully responsible for any leaks going forward."

She looked at me disdainfully: "How pathetic! My husband has plenty of money and connections—I can do whatever I want! The only reason he doesn't give you resources is because you don't deserve them."

I said nothing, secretly gleeful about the day they'd both fall.

While silently organizing the handover documents in the stairwell, she suddenly deliberately fell backward and cried out, accusing me:

"Why did you push me! It's not my fault Victor didn't choose you!"

"Why do women have to make things hard for each other!"

Such terrible acting.

Not only that, she pitifully called Victor to complain.

Victor soon arrived to find Charlotte sitting on the floor crying.

Without asking what happened, he accused me:

"Lynn, when did you become so vicious!"

"I'm so disappointed in you!"

I found it laughable and let out a small laugh: "I'm very disappointed in you too."

Charlotte sobbed: "It hurts, it hurts so much..."

Victor held her in his arms and cooed at her.

Then he slapped me across the face, lecturing me:

"Now you know what it feels like to be hit! Otherwise you'll never learn your lesson!"

This was the first time he'd hit me in public. I was stunned by the pain for a moment.

Watching him carry Charlotte away, I took a deep breath.

Back in my office, I calmly submitted my electronic resignation.

Then I copied the resignation notice to all senior management.