Chapter 2

My new company's headquarters were abroad, a well-known multinational corporation.

Near graduation, because of my excellent grades, I had received an invitation from them.

But Mark had persuaded me to stay and help him start his business, so I rejected the opportunity.

A while ago, when I broke up with Mark, they immediately called me, inviting me to join.

But just before I boarded the plane, I suddenly received a call. Their domestic subsidiary had decided to acquire local enterprises to integrate resources, which included Mark's company.

They had decided to appoint me as the new CEO.

After I got home and put my luggage away, I arranged to meet with Ms. Smith, the head of the domestic subsidiary.

I arrived at the restaurant early and waited for her.

But I never expected to see Mark and Chloe there, laughing and chatting, until they saw me.

Mark froze for a moment.

Then he walked over, looking annoyed.

"Skylar, are you stalking me?"

"You were so defiant earlier, weren't you? What, regretting it now?"

Before I could speak, Chloe chimed in, chuckling.

"Mark, with so many people watching, Skylar probably just didn't want to lose face by saying yes."

"How about this? Skylar, if you apologize to Mark properly, I'm sure he'd still give you a job opportunity."

"What do you say, Mark?"

Mark looked me up and down, displeased, then feigned a difficult expression.

"Since Chloe is pleading for you, it's not impossible. Drink this bottle of wine, and I'll let you be an assistant again."

He pointed to the bottle on the table.

A cold laugh echoed in my heart.

Mark knew perfectly well I had stomach issues and couldn't drink alcohol, yet he proposed such a condition.

He was just waiting for me to humble myself and beg him.

But he had miscalculated.

"You're overthinking it. I'm waiting for someone."

"Waiting for someone? Ha, you're really stubborn, aren't you?" Mark sneered. "I've known you for years; don't think I don't know your little schemes."

"You just think being Chloe's assistant is beneath you, don't you?"

"But these days, what's face worth?"

As she was speaking, Ms. Smith, my scheduled guest, walked over.

She extended her hand to me.

"My apologies, Ms. Skylar, I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long."

I completely bypassed Mark, smiling as I shook Ms. Smith's hand.

"Ms. Smith, let's talk inside. We have a couple of flies buzzing around out here, quite annoying."

"Yes, yes, of course."

Mark stared at me in disbelief.

As I was about to walk into the private room with Ms. Smith, I heard Chloe whisper to Mark, loud enough for me to hear:

"Looks like Skylar's meeting some headhunter for a job, huh?"

The next moment, Mark suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

He sneered.

"Skylar, you've really gotten cocky. You'd rather find a job yourself than beg me?"

"But I have to warn you, considering your past performance, I've already warned everyone in the industry about you. No one will hire you."

"Now, do you regret it?"

He watched me with a smirk, seemingly waiting for me to turn back.

But he was wrong.

Mark's meager influence wasn't enough to threaten me.

And because of my departure, and Chloe taking over all major projects, his company had already accumulated many risks and was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Of this, he was completely oblivious.

I said blandly,

"Mark, confidence is a good thing. But I hope you'll maintain that same attitude when your company goes bankrupt and gets acquired."

"Skylar, you–!"

Mark was so furious he was about to curse me, but then he turned his attention to Ms. Smith.

He pulled out a business card and practically shoved it into Ms. Smith's hand, his tone oozing arrogance.

"Mark, CEO of Sterling Group. Skylar is my former employee. She has a terrible work ethic and was just fired."

"I advise your company to choose very carefully."

With that, he shot me one last glance, linked arms with Chloe, and strutted away.

Ms. Smith frowned, clutching the business card, and looked at me. "This…"

"He's just a pathetic little man. Let's go inside and talk," I said with a faint smile.

Ms. Smith casually tossed the business card into a nearby trash can.

Inside the private room, we discussed the acquisition of Mark's company.

We strategized to capitalize on the recent project failures and acquire it at a rock-bottom price.

Ms. Smith then pulled out the personnel list from the original company, asking me to help create an optimization plan.

I knew everyone's professional capabilities and conduct like the back of my hand, so I promised to provide a solution as soon as possible.

After talking with Ms. Smith, I went home.

But as I stepped through the door, I saw Mark sitting on my sofa.

With his long legs crossed, staring at me with a chilling gaze.

I couldn't help but frown. "What are you doing here?"