Chapter 2

2

I picked up the papers and walked out without looking back.

Once inside my office, I texted an old contact.

"Nina, is that overseas general manager position still open?"

My phone buzzed almost instantly. Even through the screen, I could feel her excitement.

"Of course it is! I've been keeping that seat warm for you. But you need to tie up all loose ends back home first."

"I'll be waiting for you across the ocean, boss!"

I smiled faintly at Nina's banter and pulled my official resignation letter out from behind the divorce folder.

Knowing Savannah, she would never let me walk away easily without a proper distraction.

When I briefed my secretary on the handover, he looked at me with deep distress.

"Mr. Hayes, we all know the truth behind those lawsuits. A lot of senior staff are furious on your behalf."

"What the CEO is doing is completely unfair. None of us want you to leave. Won't you reconsider?"

I sighed softly and patted his shoulder.

"My leaving is best for everyone."

Just as my assistant walked out, Savannah pushed open my office door, accompanied by Miles.

"Miles, this is your office now. Make me proud..."

Savannah froze slightly when she noticed me, but her face quickly hardened into annoyance.

"What are you still doing here? Don't you know what a target you are right now?"

Before the words left her mouth, an enraged mob barged through the doors, smashing everything in sight.

"Devon Hayes, you murderer! Go to hell!"

The brothers of the deceased factory owner surrounded me, raining punches and kicks onto my body.

I was knocked to the floor, my head slamming hard against the sharp desk corner.

Blood poured down, blurring my vision into crimson.

"Miles, let's go," Savannah urged, pulling the younger man away. "This office will be yours soon anyway. Don't get hurt."

She guided Miles out without sparing a single glance at me bleeding on the floor.

My eyes burned with a stinging sensation, unable to tell whether it was tears or blood running down my face.

A memory from years ago flashed across my mind.

Back when we first started the firm, we visited a construction site where corrupt contractors used substandard materials.

A heavy stone slab suddenly broke loose and plunged toward us.

In that split second, Savannah shoved me aside, taking the hit herself and fracturing her arm.

She refused to rest properly because of work, leaving her with chronic pain to this day.

Back then, when I held her with overwhelming guilt, she had comforted me with a gentle smile.

"Devon, thank God you're okay. If that slab crushed you, I would have lost my mind!"

Now, she still instinctively protected the person she loved.

It just wasn't me anymore.

The grieving family took all their rage out on me.

Looking at their devastated faces, I lowered my hands from fighting back and only shielded my vital organs.

They finally stopped out of exhaustion, sobbing as they left the ruined room.

I dragged myself up from the wreckage.

Savannah reappeared in the doorway, a flicker of guilt crossing her eyes when she saw my battered state.

"I'll drive you to the hospital," she said softly. "Stay home for a while and rest until the scandal blows over."

"No need. I can walk..."

Before I could finish, Miles hurried over clutching a folder, looking panicky.

"Savannah, the investors are here, but the numbers in the contract don't add up! What should I do?"

Savannah immediately dropped my arm to rush to his side.

"Miles is still learning, so I have to oversee this. Your injuries just look dramatic, Devon. You can patch yourself up. I'll check on you at home after work."

I retrieved the hidden divorce papers from my broken drawer and watched her hurry away with a bitter, hollow smile.

Savannah, we haven't had a home for a very long time.