After I Quit

And what happened in the end?

He took everything I had fought so hard to build, accepted it as if it were owed to him, then turned around and kicked me aside so someone else could take my place.

Maybe there had been no room for me in his heart for a long time.

I was the only fool still believing that if I tried hard enough, he would eventually see me.

Thinking about it now, I had been unbelievably stupid.

Grant's cold voice pulled me back.

"Cat got your tongue, Natalie? Apologize to Chloe. Now.

"If you don't apologize, don't even think about leaving this room today."

The moment he finished speaking, the security guards around me closed in, each one holding a baton.

So that was how determined he was to force an apology out of me.

Chloe watched with expectation written across her face, satisfaction glinting in her eyes.

Seeing Grant so determined to defend Chloe, I felt something press down on my chest until even breathing took effort.

Once, he had stood in front of everyone and defended me just like this.

He had demanded justice for me.

That was the moment I fell for him.

Who would have thought that one day, he would demand justice from me for someone else?

And worse, I had done nothing wrong. I had never framed anyone.

The justice he wanted was never going to be the truth.

When I stayed silent, his brows knitted tighter.

Chloe handed him a glass of wine and whispered something by his ear. His gloomy expression softened at once.

Then he looked at me coldly again.

"Natalie, you owe Chloe this. I'm doing this for your own good. When someone makes a mistake, they should take responsibility. Isn't that what you always tell your subordinates?

"Why does that rule suddenly not apply when it's you?"

As soon as he said that, the room filled with agreement.

"Mr. Hale is right. Ms. Shaw, you should just apologize."

"Why make such a big deal out of it? Maybe if you apologize, you won't even have to leave the company."

I looked coldly at them and said nothing.

They were nothing but opportunists.

Now that I had lost power, they could not wait to step on me personally and use it to curry favor with the newly appointed Grant Hale.

When I still did not move, Grant finally lost his patience.

His irritation grew more obvious, and he snapped, "Since you refuse to apologize, then bow to Chloe.

"Once you bow, this ends here. I won't use this against you again."

I stared at him coldly and refused without hesitation.

"You want me to bow and apologize to her? Dream on.

"This matter had a conclusion a year ago. Now you're dragging it out again. What exactly are you hiding?"

The moment he announced my termination in front of everyone, I saw him clearly.

His whole heart was with Chloe now. There was no trace of me in his eyes.

So why should I keep lying to myself and keep orbiting around him?

Grant heard me and smashed the wineglass in his hand.

His voice turned icy.

"Natalie! I'm only asking you to apologize and admit you were wrong. Is that really worth twisting into some conspiracy against you?

"Besides, I'm doing this for you. So many colleagues are watching. Do you really want to embarrass yourself and be criticized for this in the future?

"Apologize now, or we will—"

He paused deliberately before finishing.

"Choose what happens next for yourself."

I had heard those words from him countless times.

Whenever I resisted or refused to obey, he would threaten me with a breakup.

In the past, I treasured our six-year relationship so much that before he could even say the word "break up," I would rush to agree with him.

That had taught him that those words were my weakness.

After I gave in, he would look at me with that pitiful, condescending expression and warn me that there would not be a next time.

That move had worked on me again and again.

But this time, I did not want to compromise anymore.

I looked him in the eyes and said each word clearly.

"Fine. Then let's break up."

The moment I said it, an unexpected lightness spread through my chest.

Grant, however, stiffened where he stood.