Chapter 3

Unlike in the past, seeing her fury didn't make me panic.

I even patiently repeated what I had just said.

Giselle snatched a cup from her desk and hurled it at me.

"Declan, what is that supposed to mean? Making you Zion's assistant is for your own good, a chance for you to learn something! Otherwise, what can you do with your level of education?"

"I haven't even dealt with you for what happened yesterday, and now you’re trying to threaten me with quitting?"

Seeing her seething, I laughed.

“Ms. Thorne, have you forgotten I’m an Ivy League graduate? If I remember correctly, Zion here barely scraped by at a community college.”

"But if you want to promote your little boy toy, I have no objections."

Giselle was stunned that I would lay everything out in the open.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go pack my things now.”

With that, I turned and walked away.

Looking around my office, I realized there was nothing I wanted to take with me.

This job had once been a symbol of Giselle's approval.

After Jared died, she gave me the Director position.

I thought it meant I finally had a place in her heart.

But it was all just a fantasy I had created for myself.

Just then, my assistant, Liam, knocked and entered, looking nervous.

“Director Vance, if you leave, what will happen to us?”

I looked at the young man who had worked with me for two years.

I handed him a business card.

“You should give this company a try.”

Liam glanced down at the card, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Emblazoned on it was the name of Giselle’s biggest competitor.

I patted his shoulder.

“I’m off,” I said softly.

Halfway out the door, I turned back.

I picked up the framed photo of Giselle that had always sat on my desk and tossed it into the trash.

As I walked out of the company building, it felt like half the storm clouds in my mind had cleared.

On my way back to the hotel, I started planning my future.

While Giselle had been emotionally abusive, she’d never been cheap. I was well-compensated.

After some thought, I booked a flight for two days later, deciding to travel abroad for a while.

These past two years, cleaning up the mess Jared left behind had drained me.

I'd spent countless nights writing proposals and negotiating deals.

My doctor had repeatedly warned me to take a break.

Now was the perfect time.

Back at the hotel, just as I was about to get some sleep, Giselle’s mother’s name flashed on my phone screen.

I answered, and her commanding voice immediately filled my ear.

"Declan, are you busy?"

Before I could even reply, her words shot out like bullets.

"It's your uncle's birthday in two days. He's craving your BBQ ribs."

"And your aunt wants your shrimp scampi, so make sure you come over early to cook."

I closed my eyes. "Auntie, a professional chef can make all of those things."

Without missing a beat, she retorted, "How can that be the same? Didn't you take classes specifically for this? If you want to marry our Giselle, you have to show your sincerity."

"Our families are not on the same level. How can I trust you with my daughter otherwise?"

This was her go-to speech.

She always felt I was "marrying up" into her family.

And I had to prove myself worthy.

For seven long years.

Every time the Thorne family had a gathering, I was given a menu in advance.

I used to do it with a happy heart.

But this time, I clenched my phone, suppressing the rage in my voice.

"Auntie, you probably don't know yet, but Giselle and I are breaking up."

"So all that 'sincerity' you're talking about? It's no longer necessary."