Chapter 2

2

As I reached the exit, I saw Seraphina leaning on Lucius's arm.

When she saw me, she pulled away and made her eyes turn red.

"Waverly, why are you leaving? Did I upset you at the meeting?"

Lucius's brow furrowed.

"Waverly, talk to us. Seraphina is only trying to help the company."

I stared at his face as if seeing him for the first time.

Back in middle school, a heavy bookshelf had started to fall in the library.

He had lunged forward to shield me.

The shelf slammed into his back with a sickening thud.

His arm was crushed and deformed, but he told me not to move.

Later, in the hospital, he smiled at me.

"Now you can't run away from me," he had joked.

I had cried and promised to be with him forever that day.

Now, he was protecting a snake and blaming me for everything.

Seraphina continued her act.

"Lucius, don't be mad at her."

I didn't want to waste another second.

I turned to leave, but Lucius grabbed my wrist.

"Waverly, apologize to Seraphina right now," he demanded.

My voice was cold.

"Let go of me. I've done nothing wrong."

"Still stubborn?"

He jerked my arm violently.

I stumbled back and hit the metal fire hydrant on the wall.

The pain in my back was sharp and blinding.

I collapsed to the floor, my muscles spasming.

Seraphina grabbed Lucius's arm, acting frightened.

"Lucius, forget it. She looks so pathetic."

"People might think we're bullying her," she whispered.

Her words only made Lucius angrier.

He looked at me with pure disgust.

"Waverly, stop acting. Do you think faking an injury will make me pity you?"

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

The other executives arrived, holding my resignation letter.

"Waverly, what is this? Why are you quitting?"

They looked from me on the floor to the two standing over me.

Seraphina started sobbing instantly.

"It's all my fault. If Waverly hates me, I'll just leave."

"Don't be ridiculous!" an executive yelled.

"We need you. You're brilliant, Seraphina."

Lucius's face darkened as he looked at me.

"Waverly, you're just throwing a tantrum. You think you can threaten me with a resignation?"

The others chimed in.

"You're being selfish! Lucius is the reason this company exists!"

"We're in a financial crisis. Apologize to Lucius and Seraphina right now!"

I looked at their greedy faces and laughed.

Lucius is the reason?

I spent three months in a lab for that patent.

I only added his name to the documents to help his career.

I made him the CEO, and now he was using his power to crush me.

Lucius sneered.

"If you want to go, then go. This company will thrive without you."

I looked at him and felt a chill in my heart.

The others might be ignorant, but did he really forget?

Every meal he ate when he started out was paid for by my salary.

Every big deal he almost lost was saved by my late-night revisions.

I pulled him out of the mud and took him to the top.

Now that he was stable, he called me malicious.

It was a sick joke.

I felt a lump in my throat and refused to say another word.

Seraphina spoke up, her eyes gleaming with victory.

"Don't worry, Waverly. I'll make sure all your work is handed over to me."

The executives nodded.

"Seraphina is so professional."

Lucius raised his voice so everyone could hear.

"Waverly has resigned, so we don't need her signature anymore."

"Start Seraphina's project immediately. We're moving forward today."

His words gave the others a sense of security.

The executives cheered.

"We're going to be rich! Lucius is a genius!"

Seraphina leaned into him.

"Waverly, you won't get a cent of severance pay since you quit."

I remained expressionless.

"Why are you all in such a hurry? We'll see who loses everything first."

Lucius snapped.

"You're delusional."

Seraphina giggled.

"Some people just can't handle seeing others succeed."