"Nathaniel’s new role is now Mr. Knox’s assistant. It’s time he gets used to his new identity."
When I heard the rumors, I finally understood what had happened. Cassandra had demoted me without my consent. She had handed my position to Damien and reduced me to his assistant.
Fury surged through me like never before. Without hesitation, I stormed into the conference room, where Cassandra was leading a company-wide meeting.
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the room.
"What the hell do you mean by this?"
Cassandra bit her lower lip and shook off my hand, refusing to meet my eyes.
"I think Damien is better suited for that position."
Oh? I was so furious that I actually laughed.
From the company’s founding until now, I had been working like a relentless machine, pushing the business forward, securing deals and ensuring its survival.
And where was Damien Knox back then?
He was a nobody, just a useless man who relied on women to climb the ladder.
And now, they expected me to become his assistant? Someone like him?
If it were not for Cassandra Sinclair, I would have accepted an offer from a top company with a high salary. But instead, I chose to stay to help her build this business from the ground up.
And now? All of my efforts had been handed to Damien like a wedding gift.
"Isn't everything fine? There's nothing wrong with being Damien’s assistant."
"Oh, let’s do this. Once I’m free, I’ll go back to our hometown with you to visit your mother and I’ll apologize to her."
I watched her closely as she continued rambling on, making excuses, but the more I looked at her, the more unfamiliar she became.
The love that once burned so brightly had now faded, just like a shooting star disappearing into the night.
"Cassandra, my mother is no longer around to receive your visit."
"And just so you know, when I said we were breaking up that night, I meant every word. I’m also resigning. Effective immediately."
Cassandra froze, her brows furrowing as irritation flashed across her face.
"Nathaniel Arden, how long are you going to keep this up?"
"I’m not making a scene. I’ve simply come to my senses. Shouldn’t you be happy? I’m making room for you."
Her face turned red with anger just as Damien stepped out of the conference room.
"You’re not leaving. Sure, the project is secured, but someone still needs to handle follow-ups."
"If you walk away now, I’ll fire all the employees who have worked so hard alongside you."
"I doubt you would want to see them lose their livelihoods."
I narrowed my eyes, my gaze locking onto him sharply.
"And you? Do you agree with him?"
I kept staring at Damien, but my words were meant for Cassandra.
She said nothing. Her silence was all the confirmation I needed. She had accepted his threats against me.
At that moment, something inside me shattered completely. Still, for the sake of my colleagues, I swallowed my pride and endured.
Seeing me give in, Cassandra smiled, looking completely satisfied.
"See? This is the right attitude. Just follow Damien and work hard. Once he gets promoted to manager, I’ll return your position as manager."
"Oh, and don’t be upset. I even asked a designer to make a new dress for your mother. I’ll personally bring it to her when the time comes."
After that, Damien treated me like a servant. One moment, he demanded coffee. The next, he ordered me to massage his shoulders like I was some kind of personal assistant.
When his younger sister, Bianca, visited the office, he acted even more condescending, using me however he pleased.
I kept repeating to myself that I needed to stay calm and not act impulsively.
I need to endure because behind the scenes, I was already making my move. I secretly reached out to the company that had once offered me a high-paying job, connecting my colleagues with them.
Since Cassandra did not know how to value talent, I would make sure they found a place where they could truly thrive.
Once the company saw their abilities, they immediately agreed to take them in without hesitation.
With everything set in motion, Damien suddenly started a video call.
I answered and the moment the screen lit up, disgusting, filthy sounds flooded my ears.
On the screen, Cassandra Sinclair was no longer the cold, proud woman I once knew. She was completely debased, moaning shamelessly as she lay beneath Damien Knox.
Strangely enough, I was not angry anymore. When I saw Cassandra, there was only calm.
She felt like a stranger to me now.
Damien had sent that video to provoke me, to push me into acting recklessly so that Cassandra would despise me even more.
Unfortunately, he miscalculated. By then, I was already sitting in the waiting lounge, ready to embark on the journey I had once dreamed of.
All of Cassandra’s contact information was blocked and deleted.
Meanwhile, back at the company, as soon as Cassandra and Damien walked in, her new assistant, Bianca, rushed up to her in a panic.
"Cassie, I’m sorry! Nathaniel and his colleagues… they all resigned and left. They didn’t even take their salaries!"
"Also, the client from the partnership project came by. They said they’ll only continue working with us if Nathaniel remains on the project."
