The next day.
In the largest conference room at Fidelia Entertainment, the atmosphere was tense.
On either side of the long table sat the company's executives, key investors, and its top celebrities.
All eyes were on me.
When Evan walked in with Jayne in his arms, the three swollen red marks on his face hadn't faded completely, like unmistakable marks of humiliation.
He saw me seated next to the head seat, his gaze momentarily freezing before a look of annoyance settled in.
"Mallory, do you have to make this a big deal out of this? Are you trying to embarrass me in front of so many people?" He walked up to me, his voice low but warning.
Jayne leaned against him, her face feigning concern, but her eyes were full of provocation. "Evan, don't be angry. Mallory probably just wants one last moment in the spotlight, since she won't have the chance anymore."
I just ignored them.
Evan pulled out a chair and sat down, attempting to maintain a semblance of dignity. "Can't we discuss this privately? I won't shortchange you on your dividends. You can settle down and be my wife. You don't need to work anymore. What's wrong with that?"
"I don't have to work?" I finally looked at him and sneered. "You want me to be a housewife and watch you bring different women home every day? Evan, you're disgusting."
His face darkened instantly. "Mallory," he leaned forward and said angrily, "Think carefully. Once you leave here today, you'll have nothing to do with Fidelia Entertainment. You can leave, but you'll leave with nothing—don't even think about taking a single cent of company shares."
Looking at his familiar yet strange face, I felt absurd.
"Leave with nothing?" I repeated softly, the words echoing clearly in the silent conference room. "Evan, have you forgotten? This company is half mine. When you begged me to attract investment, why didn't you think about taking over the company for yourself? And now that you've gained power, you think you can just kick me out?"
"Exactly!" Jayne suddenly interjected, her voice sharp. "The company relies on Evan now! You're just a washed-up manager. What are you putting on airs for? Hurry up and sign the document, don't waste everyone's time."
Evan didn't stop her. Instead, he tossed a document from his briefcase, sliding it in front of me.
It was the "Share Transfer and Termination Agreement."
The conditions were outrageously harsh.
"Sign it," he leaned back in his chair, eyes cold. "Once you sign, we're done."
The conference room fell into silence. Everyone held their breath, their gaze darting between Evan and me.
I picked up the pen he had pushed over, my fingertips cold.
All my efforts, time, and trust had culminated in this humiliating document.
"Alright. As you wish." My voice was eerily calm.
The pen tip scratched across the paper, making a soft rasping sound. I signed my name.
When I finished the last stroke, I completely gave up on him.
Evan visibly relaxed, a triumphant smirk tugging at his lips.
"Well, and," he added as if he suddenly remembered, in a tone as dismissive as instructing a servant, "Don't forget to move your things out of my villa. Jayne doesn't like traces left by other women."
My grip on the pen tightened, knuckles whitening slightly.
Well, we had been together for seven years, and he was in such a hurry to kick me out.
He wouldn't even show me the slightest bit of leniency.
I put down the pen, looked up to meet his triumphant gaze, and suddenly sneered.
"Evan, I hope you won't regret this," I said softly.
He frowned, seemingly wanting to say something. But I didn't give him the chance.
Under everyone's gaze, some surprised, some sympathetic, and some eager for drama, I took out my phone from my handbag, publicly dialed a number, and put it on speaker.
It rang only once before it was quickly answered.
A deep and unmistakable male voice reverberated through the silent conference room via the phone speaker. "Mallory? You rarely call me first."
The moment that voice rang out, the expressions on the faces of half the people in the conference room changed drastically.
Several seasoned investors sat up abruptly, their eyes widening.
A few executives exchanged shocked glances.
Even Evan's smile froze, pupils constricting sharply.
The voice continued, carrying a rare gentleness and a hint of a smile. "Is it about the Oscar-bidding, multi-million-dollar film project we've prepared for? Are you finally ready to start?"
A multi-million-dollar project aiming for an Oscar?
Each word hit everyone's heart.
Facing Evan's suddenly pale face and Jayne's bewildered yet subtly uneasy gaze, I spoke into the phone in a clear and calm tone. "Mr. Wilson, I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
I paused, my gaze slowly sweeping over Evan's trembling fingers, and spoke each word with decisive clarity. "I was just fired from my company. So, the multi-million-dollar top film project on your end..."
I sneered, uttering the final few words. "I can't take it on."
