Chapter 4

Since I had decided to walk away, I wasn't going to drag things out.

That night, I packed my few belongings and wrote my resignation letter. The next morning, I handed it in.

Since my role was specifically dedicated to assisting Ethan, there wasn't much to hand over. Because Leo was still away on the business trip with Ethan, I just sent Leo a long, detailed handoff email on WhatsApp.

Leo didn't reply, probably because he was busy in meetings.

It didn't matter anymore.

I went back to my desk and packed up my personal items.

My coworkers were shocked that I was resigning. After all, I had been working for the notorious devil-boss for seven years, and I was the only one who could tolerate his temper.

"Chloe, are you really leaving?"

I smiled and nodded.

"If you leave and the boss throws a fit... the entire assistant pool is going to suffer!"

"But why? Sinclair Enterprises offers the best pay in the industry. You won't find a better package elsewhere."

I gave them the honest truth. "I'm getting older. After grinding for so many years, I just want to settle down, marry a nice guy, and focus on family."

I said my goodbyes, held my cardboard box, and took the elevator down. In the lobby, I bumped right into a very pissed-off Ethan and a terrified Leo.

I gave a polite, professional nod.

"Goodbye."

Leo looked at me with deep regret. "Chloe, do you really have to go? Can't you... reconsider?"

Ethan cast a cold, indifferent glance at me.

I gave a firm, polite smile. "No, thank you."

Ethan let out a cold snort and walked straight into the private elevator. Leo hurried after him.

After leaving Sinclair Enterprises, I went back to my hometown.

It wasn't a massive metropolis like New York, but it was a beautiful, thriving college town. Thanks to Ethan, during those seven years of working all day and catering to him at night, I had saved up a hefty sum of money. While I wasn't filthy rich, I had more than enough.

Even with my mother's medical bills, I was financially secure.

Before, I lived to work. Now, I wanted to actually live.

I took a teaching and research position at my alma mater.

My old advisor had reached out to me a while back, asking if I wanted to join his research project. I was too busy being Ethan’s assistant back then, but now, I could fully commit to it.

My new life became a peaceful routine: home, campus, lab.

I was so busy I barely had time to think about Ethan.

By mid-autumn, the department organized a faculty social event—essentially a mixer for the unmarried staff to mingle.

We met at an upscale lounge downtown.

My colleague from the department nudged me with her elbow. "Chloe, aren't you single? You should keep your eyes open tonight."

"Yeah, a gorgeous girl like you deserves the best..."

Before she could finish, the crowd started whispering excitedly, "Professor Vance is here!"

"Oh wow, the competition is going to be fierce tonight. Julian Vance is a total catch... handsome, wealthy, and already a rising star in academia!"

My colleague pushed me forward. "Chloe, go get him!"

I looked up at the man walking toward us. Wait. Wasn't that Julian, the boy next door from my childhood?

I remembered Julian had gone to an Ivy League school and then vanished from my social circle after we lost touch.

An old friend. A reunion.

Julian was just as warm and gentle as he used to be. "Chloe, it's been a long time."

"Julian, long time no see."