I didn’t look up. My fingertips tapped the word “Check” onto my phone screen and sent it to my assistant.
When I turned, I caught Ethan Walker pushing the door open, sweat still beading at his temple—clearly he’d rushed over.
“Claire, stop making a scene.” He grabbed my wrist so hard it hurt. “I’ve seen Isabella on a video call with Mr. Bennett. How could it be fake? Just sign the contract, and I’ll take you out to dinner to make it up to you tonight.”
A few people nearby snickered quietly. I yanked my wrist free, the skin already red. “Ethan, you’ve met Mr. Bennett?”
He froze, then stiffened his neck. “Of course! At last year’s annual gala… from a distance.”
“Oh.” I nodded, pulled a document from my drawer, and slid it toward him. “Then take a look at this.”
It was the headquarters board of directors list—my father’s name at the very top, with his photo beside it. Ethan’s face went pale the instant his eyes landed on it. Isabella leaned in, her finger tracing over “CEO Robert Bennett” for a long time before she suddenly screeched, “Fake! You must have printed this to trick people!”
Ethan jumped in then, snapping, “Claire, enough! Stop making trouble! It’s just a deal. I told Isabella to give you a $150 bonus—what’s wrong with that?”
“A hundred and fifty dollars?” I pulled my hand away again. “Two days ago, you told me this deal could get you promoted to department manager, and that if I worked harder, you’d propose by the end of the year. Now suddenly it’s ‘no big deal’?”
His eyes shifted away. “I just… I just thought Isabella has strong connections and could help us.”
“Help us?” I laughed out loud. “You mean I give her my deal so she can help you—and what about me? Am I just your stepping stone?”
Isabella shot to her feet. “Don’t push your luck. Letting you help is me doing you a favor! If you don’t want to, you can get out right now. The company doesn’t need people like you!”
Ethan stepped in to smooth things over, speaking to Isabella in a soft voice, “Isabella, don’t be angry. This isn’t worth it.”
She gave him a playful tap on the chest. “If it weren’t for you, I would’ve thrown her out already. Keeping her here is just a waste of company resources, hmph!”
Ethan’s face was full of flattery as he held her hand, practically drooling over her. The sight made me feel sick.
Holding the finalized contract, I told them, “I’m not changing the signature. I’m sending this to the Legal Department for stamping right now. If you think you can, go ahead and fire me!”
Isabella gave me a cold glare. “Fine! I’ll do you that favor. I’m calling HR right now. I don’t believe I can’t deal with you.”
Ethan put on a false tone of concern. “Claire, why go this far? Good luck to you.”
Isabella grabbed the desk phone and put it on speaker. From the receiver came the overly sweet voice of Linda Collins from HR: “Isabella, what can I do for you?”
“Linda, Claire Bennett from the marketing department refuses to follow company orders and talked back to her superior. Come over now and process her termination.”
She lifted her gaze to me, a triumphant smile tugging at her lips.
“My dad says anyone who disrupts team harmony is nothing but trouble.”
“Oh, right away! I’ll be there!” Linda’s tone was gleeful, like she’d been waiting for this moment.
Ethan gave a mock sigh beside her, his fingers still caressing the back of Isabella’s hand.
“Claire, look at you—why make it come to this? Isabella’s only thinking of the company. Just apologize…”
“Shut up.” I cut him off, sliding the contract into a folder.
“Once Legal stamps this, I’ll forward it to headquarters for record. As for this so-called termination—”
