Chapter 3

Security hauled me away while Flora tipped up the corners of her mouth in triumph.

My best friend dragged me by the hair and threw me into a pitch-black room.

The moment the darkness closed in, my breath went ragged, my chest crushed as if under a boulder, the pain shaking through my whole body.

She locked the door, then sneered and kicked it.

"You wanted to ruin the wedding, so you can just stay in there!"

My head swam. I had no strength left to speak.

"I have claustrophobia."

"So you have it. Rufus already told me. If you came to make trouble, lock you in here."

"Works every time~"

The last of my strength drained away, and I slid down the wall to the floor.

The first year the company was founded, an elevator broke down.

I was trapped inside for three hours, and that was when the claustrophobia started.

Back then Rufus promised me he would never let my world fall into darkness again.

He broke that promise. For someone else.

Just before I passed out, someone kicked the door open and rushed in against the light.

The silhouette looked exactly like Rufus.

When I woke again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

Rufus's messages hadn't stopped coming.

【I only did it for the company! The Fox family has money and power. Once I marry Flora, the company will rise to a whole new level!】

【As for the three million, consider it payback for bullying Flora.】

【Just apologize to Flora publicly. She's kindhearted, she'll forgive you.】

A trace of blood rose in my throat, sweet and metallic. I coughed lightly and, with a trembling hand, blocked him.

The livestream had gone viral, and my phone flooded with countless abusive texts.

I was reading them when my phone was suddenly pulled from my hand.

Sarah Henson brought a spoonful of soup to my lips. "Don't look at that. It'll only upset you."

She was the CEO of a listed company I'd once worked with.

And the one who got me out.

I thanked her. The soup had barely touched my lips.

Then Rufus and Flora swept into the ward with a whole crowd behind them.

Rufus's face was cold. "Because of your scene, the whole internet's in an uproar. People are saying Flora framed you."

"Tomorrow the company's holding a press conference. You'll go and clear it up. You'll say you were the bully."

He demanded it as if it were his right. It almost made me laugh.

"Whether she was framed or not, don't the two of you know perfectly well?"

Rufus frowned and shot a glance at Flora.

"Whether it's true or not doesn't matter. That you bullied Flora is a fact now."

I let out a scoff.

So he knew I hadn't done it.

It was just that to him, my innocence didn't matter.

Rufus's lips moved slightly. "Don't forget, the company's future has no room for your antics."

My breath caught.

I'd been with him building the company since my junior year of college.

Ten years now. The company was my life.

I gritted my teeth and, with difficulty, nodded.

"I'll agree to it. Only—"

I hadn't finished my conditions before Rufus cut me off.

"Since you've agreed, then sign this resignation letter."

"From today, the general manager's seat belongs to Flora."

My eyes went wide. I stared at the two of them, unable to believe it.

"I worked at that company for ten years!"

Something flickered in Rufus's eyes, a flash of reluctance.

"Sign it, and I can still give you some compensation. Don't, and you won't get a cent."

"You caused the company all this trouble. Not demanding compensation from you is already more than fair."

"Don't forget your parents are still sick."

My hand shook, and for the first time, the letters on the page came out crooked.

Rufus, since you've shown me no mercy, don't blame me for showing you none.