Chapter 2

The moment I finished speaking, Callum Huxley's expression darkened. Without warning, he grabbed a pen from the table and threw it at me.

I didn't move quickly enough, and the sharp tip grazed my right cheek, leaving a long, painful cut.

Gasps filled the room.

Elowen Marlowe, the intern, looked at me with concern, though a hint of satisfaction flickered in her eyes.

I endured the pain, lifting my gaze to Callum, but he simply glanced at me before turning his attention elsewhere. His voice was cold, his words cutting.

"Sylvie, you've been making trouble for the new hire. Take this as a lesson and don't do it again."

I almost laughed.

He had a real talent for twisting things around.

Earlier, when he called the emergency meeting, I'd held on to a small hope that he would defend me. Instead, it was clear this meeting was only to pacify Elowen.

Callum's words hung in the air, and soon, I felt eyes on me, sympathy from some, judgment from others.

One of my colleagues, someone who had always been supportive, spoke up, "Mr. Huxley, Elowen doesn't even have an alcohol allergy. At the last department gathering, she drank more than anyone else..."

Before she could finish, Callum slammed his hand on the table, cutting her off. He turned to look at me, his expression cold and unwavering.

"Ellie isn't lying. You've been targeting her, rallying people against her. Anyone who defends Sylvie can forget about their bonus."

The room went silent.

Elowen, ever the actress, managed a small, knowing smile before speaking, her voice sweet and innocent.

"Callum, don't blame Sylvie. I'm sure she's just upset because you gave me her project. If I had known it would upset her this much, I wouldn't have taken it. Sylvie, if you feel that strongly about it, I'll give it back to you. And as for my mother's medical bill, I'll find a way to handle it."

I felt a pang of frustration. Not long ago, Callum had taken pity on Elowen, thinking her struggles in the city alone were too much to bear. He'd handed over a project I had already put most of the work into, leaving her to finish what was easy.

I'd objected, but he called me heartless.

"Ellie has a sick mother and needs support. Can't you be a little more understanding? And besides, you're the one who hired her. You should be looking out for her."

It was settled, and though I'd been reluctant, I'd eventually given in to avoid further conflict.

Now, here was Elowen, pretending to offer the project back with a smile, but it was obvious she had no intention of following through. And Callum, as always, bought into it.

He fixed me with an icy gaze, his voice sharp as he spoke, "It's just a few projects. Do you really have to be this petty? How can someone so selfish even work here? You're more than capable. Why make a big deal out of it? You don't need these projects, but for Ellie, they're her mother's medical bills. Can't you show some compassion?"

I couldn't help but feel the sting of his words.

"I'm capable, yes. But that doesn't mean you can just use me however you like. Elowen's problems aren't mine to solve. Why should I be the one to pay for them?"

At my words, Callum's brow furrowed, and his tone turned icy. "Sylvie, after all this time, is money all you care about? When did you become so... cold? So ruthless?"

I stared at him, the words feeling like they came from a stranger. He used to say my practicality was charming, and that I had the instincts of an entrepreneur.

Now, apparently, that very trait was something he despised.

It was funny, in a way. When love fades, even your strengths turn into weaknesses.

When I stayed quiet, Callum assumed I was agreeing with him. He raised an eyebrow and spoke down to me with that same familiar superiority.

"So, you've accepted it, huh? Realizing you were wrong? Don't bring up the project again. This was your fault from the start. Apologize to Ellie, write an apology, and get her to sign off on it. Then we're done with it."

One of my colleagues, someone I'd always gotten along with, gently tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "Sylvie, just do what Mr. Huxley says. You don't need to throw away your future over this."

I let out a dry laugh.

The whole office thought Callum and Elowen were a couple, but they had no idea that the man constantly giving me grief was my husband of six years, the one I had secretly married.

Over the years, Callum had used the company's growth as an excuse, never wanting to go public about us.

I had hoped that the annual meeting would finally bring that moment, but Elowen ruined it.

I'd always been good to her. When she couldn't find a job, I hired her, trained her, and helped her when she needed it.

And this was how she repaid me... a backstabber.

As I wasn't responding, Elowen's eyes started to well up.

"Sylvie, why aren't you saying anything? You really do hate me, don't you? Fine, I'll just quit. If I'm such a bother, I'll leave."

She wiped her tears, sniffling as she turned to walk away.

"And for my mom's medical bills, I'll just sell my kidney or something..."

Callum quickly grabbed her, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face.

"Sylvie, are you done yet? Is it not enough to drive Elowen to the edge? Is that what you want?"

The sting from the slap was sharp, and the cut on my face that had barely healed was reopened, blood starting to seep through.

I held my cheek, glaring at Callum.

For years, I'd helped him build this company from scratch.

To get investors, I waited outside their offices in a snowstorm, standing out there all night, only to end up with a fever for a week.

Back then, Callum had been full of concern, promising that when he made it big, he'd never forget me.

Now that he was successful, he was using that power to control me.

Callum saw the look in my eyes and, without a hint of remorse, spoke coldly, "What are you staring at? Sylvie, listen carefully. If you keep pushing Ellie, don't say I didn't warn you. I'll fire you."

I chuckled bitterly.

Callum thought I was giving in, and his tone softened. "Alright, apologize to Ellie, and I'll let it go. We won't make a big deal out of it."

If this had happened a few years ago, I would have swallowed my pride, and apologized even though I knew it wasn't right.

But not now. I laughed coldly, then slapped him right back across the face.

"This one's for you. As for firing me? I don't need you to do that. I'll quit right now."