Chapter 2

2

The onlookers waiting for a catfight froze in disbelief.

Someone even dropped their phone with a loud clatter.

Everyone in the industry knew my reputation as a relentless workaholic and how fiercely I guarded my projects.

This deal was worth over seven million dollars, and the commission alone was a fortune.

Naturally, everyone assumed I was being sarcastic to protest Paige's decision.

It took Paige a few seconds to snap out of her shock.

Assuming I was trying to threaten her, she flushed with rage.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, Luke?"

"I'm the CEO! Am I not allowed to critique you anymore?"

"Are you trying to pull a mutiny in front of everyone?!"

Looking at her furious expression, I only felt contempt.

She actually had the nerve to get angry.

Shouldn't she be thrilled that I was stepping down?

Having Brett run the show by her side was exactly what she wanted, wasn't it?

Beside her, Brett stared at the proposal, his eyes flashing with raw greed.

Still, he forced out a hesitant, pathetic voice.

"Luke, are you mad at me?"

"I really just wanted to help out. I never meant to steal your spotlight."

"Everyone knows you're the backbone of this company. If you think I overstepped, I'll resign right now."

I scoffed internally at his fake performance.

He claimed he wanted to quit, yet his fingers gripped my proposal so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Suppressing my disgust, I patted Brett on the shoulder and smiled calmly.

"What are you talking about, Brett? You're overthinking it."

"I couldn't be happier that you're stepping up to carry the burden."

"I'm getting older and burned out. Having you lead this project gives me total peace of mind."

Paige raised an eyebrow, eyeing me suspiciously to see if I was faking.

Seeing not a trace of anger on my face, she lifted her chin haughtily.

"Take it, Brett. You don't need to feel bad."

"If it weren't for you, this pitch would've failed. You deserve this."

"With your talent, you were bound to become a director anyway."

With Paige locking it down, Brett nearly jumped for joy, while Paige gazed at him with affectionate, doting eyes.

I suppressed a cold chuckle.

Paige was utterly blinded by infatuation.

Ever since hiring Brett, she spent every waking hour flirting and completely ignored actual operations.

She had no idea that this lucrative contract was actually a ticking time bomb.

The client was an industry giant―they paid top dollar, but their performance standards were brutal.

They chose my proposal solely because of the cutting-edge tech I designed, which delivered industry-leading efficiency.

Giving Brett the title meant nothing.

Without my proprietary tech, that proposal was just useless ink on paper.

The moment Paige breached the contract, that corporate titan would sue her into bankruptcy.

Seeing me stand there quietly after handing over the project, Paige seemed to feel a slight prick of guilt.

She cleared her throat and looked at me condescendingly.

"Fine. Since we won the bid, I won't hold your lateness against you."

"We're hosting a company celebration dinner for Brett tonight. I suppose I'll let you tag along."

She tilted her head, acting as if she had just bestowed a royal blessing upon me.

Her arrogance almost made me laugh out loud.

Everyone in the company knew who truly built this victory.

Yet at the celebration dinner, I was expected to beg for a seat at the table.

Did she seriously think I wanted to waste my evening playing pretend with idiots?

Just as I opened my mouth to decline, Brett suddenly gasped with dramatic realization.

"Oh no! I completely forgot! The client asked me to hand-deliver the detailed technical files right away."

"Paige, why don't you guys go ahead without me? It doesn't matter if I eat or not."

I rolled my eyes.

Even a toddler could see Brett was playing the martyr to test his importance to Paige.

Sure enough, Paige immediately melted.

She grabbed Brett's hand anxiously.

"Brett, you're the star of this project! What's the point of a celebration without you?"

"You've worked so hard lately. Go treat yourself tonight. We can just send a grunt to run the errand."

With that, Paige turned to me, her face twisting into immediate disdain.

"What are you standing there for? You've been here for years, yet you still have zero initiative."

"Take the files to the client immediately. If you're late and mess this up, don't even bother coming back."

Watching her double standards, I sneered inwardly.

She flipped her attitude faster than turning a page.

Did she really think I cared about her stupid dinner?

With Paige backing him, Brett couldn't hide his triumphant smirk, though he still sighed with fake reluctance.

"I'm really sorry, Luke. I guess I'll have to trouble you to make the run."

"Once I'm done with dinner, I'll definitely―"

Before he could finish, I ripped the files in half right in front of them.

Under everyone's shocked stares, I ripped off my company badge and threw it onto the floor.

"Save your fake-ass act!"

"I'm not a braindead fool like Paige. I don't have time for your bullshit!"