“Because of what happened last night, Stephanie was targeted and excluded everywhere in the company.”
After hearing his complaint, I picked up the spoon and scooped myself some soup without even raising my eyelids.
“What's wrong? She's the CEO's secretary, can't she handle such a small matter?”
Harvey directly argued, “I just want you to take care of your people and stop making things difficult for a little girl like her.”
Due to an implicit business rule, we each had our own people in the other's company.
What Harvey meant was that my people were deliberately targeting Stephanie to stand up for me.
Last night’s annual meeting, which was a joint event between the two groups with nearly all employees in attendance, would inevitably lead to Stephanie being criticized for her actions.
I stirred the spoon and took a sip of the soup, before answering, “First, I did not instruct anyone to target or exclude your secretary. You should know that is not my method or style.
“Secondly, if anyone is to blame for what happened to her today, it's her own lack of sense of propriety and boundaries.
“Harvey, you still don't understand human nature well enough. Your tolerance and indulgence towards her will sooner or later create more enemies for her. It's you who will harm her, not me.”
Stephanie, who had been silent all this time, suddenly took two steps forward and spoke anxiously, “Please don’t be mad at Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins.
“I was indeed inconsiderate about what happened yesterday. It was the first time I received such an expensive gift and I was so happy that I offended you. I apologize.”
I was stunned for a moment and laughed, “Harvey, your secretary is really interesting. She is indeed brave to protect his Boss more than anyone else.”
I did not accept Stephanie's insincere apology, nor did I step forward to stop my people from targeting her.
As a result, Stephanie's grievances and tears hurt Harvey's nerves.
He lost control of his emotions for the first time, got angry at me and smashed the soup bowl at my feet.
He also asked me to apologize to Stephanie.
But I did nothing wrong, why should I apologize?
In the end, Harvey and I parted on bad terms.
That afternoon, Harvey took Stephanie on a business trip and left that place of trouble.
While I just enjoyed my time hanging out with my best friend in the evening. She complained that I was living too smartly.
That was why a silly beauty like Stephanie caught Harvey's eye.
However, my current attitude was shaped by the weight of past memories.
My mother passed away when I was young and my father never remarried.
From an early age, I was groomed to be the successor in my family, carrying the responsibility of securing our future.
Because of that, I learned early on that softness and vulnerability were obstacles to my progress.
For thirty years, I adhered firmly to the principle.
At first, I thought Harvey would understand, but instead, it drained him and eventually, he stopped loving me.
But that was fine. I never truly loved him either. I had no desire for what was never meant to be mine.
“I went to Collins Group today to take a look at this secretary. At first glance, she looks like your figure, especially her eyes and dimples. They look a lot like you.
“I really don't understand what's going on in Harvey's mind. He doesn't care about the real you, but instead tries to please a fake one. Does he love you or not?” Claire asked in confusion.
I indeed felt a sense of familiarity as if there was a mountain mist between us when I first met Stephanie.
So, I sneered, “Who knows? Maybe the fake one is more gentle, considerate and understanding.”
Since I had a bad headache after that, Claire decided to take me home.
She was afraid that I would feel uncomfortable, so she drove very slowly throughout the journey.
“The divorce agreement has been drafted. When are you going to tell Harvey about it?” she asked in the middle of the journey.
I directly answered without thinking, “Maybe in the middle of the month. He will definitely come back to have dinner with his grandfather.”
In the middle of every month, we would return to the Collins Family’s old house without fail to have a simple meal with the elderly, so it was the perfect time to discuss it.
Divorce with Harvey was no small matter. So, I had to take advantage of the time to reserve all possible escape routes for myself.
