Chapter 2

The entire office froze. Everyone stared at me in absolute disbelief.

They thought I had lost my mind in a fit of rage.

After all, every veteran here knew exactly how much blood and sweat I had poured into building this empire.

"Julian, don't do something crazy!" a junior architect gasped. "If you walk away, years of your hard work will literally be gone!"

Claire sneered, convinced I was bluffing to gain leverage.

"What kind of tantrum is this, Julian? I'm the CEO! Can I not even give you constructive feedback anymore?"

I scoffed under my breath.

Isn't this what she secretly craved all along?

Allowing her precious golden boy to take over everything that belonged to me.

From my position and status to her personal life.

Shouldn't she be throwing a parade?

Austin clutched the equity transfer papers tightly, greed shining in his eyes even as he feigned reluctance.

"Julian, are you mad because of what Claire said? Please don't take it the wrong way. I genuinely just wanted to help..."

"You're a founding partner and the heart of this company. Everyone respects you. How could a newcomer like me accept equity?"

He held the paper out toward me in slow motion, clearly unwilling to let go of the sudden fortune.

Seeing his little show, I gave the papers a gentle push back into his chest with a smile.

"Why would I be mad? I couldn't be happier."

"With a brilliant mind from 'Yale' leading the charge, our company will reach new heights. You deserve it more than anyone."

Claire gave me a suspicious look before snorting coldly.

"Austin, if he's giving it to you, take it. With your talent, you were destined to become a partner anyway."

"Since everyone is gathered here today, consider this the official announcement: we have a new Design Director."

Austin finally dropped the modest facade. A wide grin broke across his face as he clamped onto the document.

I watched with a mocking chill in my eyes.

Claire had spent so much time playing house with Austin that she had zero understanding of how cutthroat this project truly was.

The only reason we were even in the running was that my former mentor personally signed off on my unique blueprints.

Those blueprints were still in my possession, known only to me.

On top of that, Austin had no clue that being Design Director meant taking on complete personal and legal liability for the firm's architecture deliverables.

Claire saw me standing there in silence after surrendering my position, and perhaps feeling she had pushed it a bit too far, she tossed me a bone:

"Alright, since you're being sensible for once, you can tag along to the celebration lunch today."

"Just make sure you offer Austin a few polite toasts."

Austin immediately pulled a pained expression.

"Oh... I honestly thought Julian wasn't coming today, so I didn't reserve a seat for him. Julian, you can have mine."

Claire instantly stepped in, her voice dripping with protective sweetness:

"You're the star of the show today, Austin! How could you give up your seat?"

"Julian can just stand by and take a couple of courtesy drinks. He's used to that kind of networking anyway."

A dry, cold laugh escaped my lips. "No need."

Austin's eyes flashed with mockery, but he whined aloud:

"Julian, are you still holding a grudge against Claire? If it makes you feel better, I'll apologize right now..."

With a face full of fabricated sorrow, he stepped toward me. Disgusted by his theatrics, I instinctively put out a hand to keep my distance.

Before I even touched him, Austin flailed backwards as if hit by a freight train and collapsed theatrically to the floor.