My fingers tapped unconsciously on the table. This position should have been mine.
From the moment I gave up the family business five years ago and joined Wallace Group, I had worked my way up step by step from the bottom to deputy director—everyone believed it was a done deal.
"After careful consideration, I’ve decided to appoint Brian as the new Marketing Director, effective next month."
After a few seconds of dead silence, the conference room erupted.
Mr. Cameron, the Finance Director, was the first to slap the table and stand up. "Miss Wallace, this isn’t in line with the rules! Mr. Benneth has been with the company for less than three months—he hasn’t even passed his probation!"
Windy from the Operations Department also stood up to agree. "That’s right, in terms of seniority and ability, Mr. Benneth should be the one to take over!"
I sat quietly, my gaze fixed on Megan’s face.
Her expression didn’t waver in the slightest; she merely lifted her hand slightly to signal for everyone to be quiet. "Although Brian has only been here a short time, the new proposal he put forward has already been approved by the board of directors."
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an unquestionable firmness. "I believe he can lead the Marketing Department to new heights. So, it’s settled."
Brian kept his head lowered, wearing a modest expression. But the faint trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth still gave him away. When his eyes met mine, a glint of smugness flickered in them.
"If there’s nothing else, the meeting is adjourned." Megan closed the folder.
I stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound.
All eyes turned toward me.
Megan frowned slightly. "Raymond, do you have something to say?"
"No."
My expression remained calm as I turned and headed for the door.
"Mr. Benneth!" Brian suddenly stood up and quickly caught up with me. "Please wait a moment!"
He reached out to stop me. "I come from the countryside, with limited exposure and insufficient experience. For the position of director, I truly feel unworthy. So I think it would still be more suitable for you to take the role…"
His voice grew softer and softer, perfectly portraying the nervous humility of a newcomer facing a senior. But when he pretended to casually lift his hand to adjust his tie, I clearly saw the watch on his wrist.
It was the Patek Philippe that Megan had given me for my twentieth birthday. I had never worn it, unwilling to risk scratching it and had always kept it locked away in the safe.
The moment I recognized it, my blood seemed to freeze.
"Brian, don’t be like this." Megan walked over and gently patted Brian’s shoulder. "This is the company’s decision—you don’t need to give up the position."
She turned to me, a trace of reproach in her eyes. "Raymond, you’re not going to be this petty, are you?"
That sentence was like a knife plunging straight into my heart.
For years, I had given up my family business and started from the bottom. When she worked overtime, I brought her meals; when she was sick, I stayed by her side through the night.
I worked myself to the bone, driving Wallace Group’s business volume to climb year after year, its market value multiplying several times over and now, in front of all the company’s senior executives, she was calling me petty?
I nearly bit my lip hard enough to draw blood and said coldly, "Miss Wallace, I resign."
For the first time, a flicker of panic appeared on Megan’s face. "Raymond, what did you say?"
"I said, I’m done. Move!" I shoved Brian out of my way.
He staggered a little, immediately putting on a wounded expression.
"Mr. Benneth, please don’t be upset. This is all my fault, I apologize to you…" he spoke pitifully, yet his eyes kept flicking toward Megan.
