Chapter 4

"Ethan? You... when did you get here?"

The room went dead silent. Everyone turned their gaze toward me.

I paused for a second, my face completely expressionless. "Just got here. Why?"

Chloe’s face soured, clearly annoyed that I had ruined her moment. She waved her hand to dismiss the crowd.

"Since you're here, pack up the files for the Zenith Group partnership. Hand them over to Julian."

Hand them over to Julian?

I had been working on this project day and night for over six months. We were right on the verge of signing the contract, and she wanted me to hand it over to Julian with a single sentence?

I let out a cold laugh, my eyes narrowing.

"And why should I do that?"

Chloe’s eyebrows shot up. She scoffed, "I am the CEO. You do what I tell you to do. Since when do you get to ask why?"

"I’ve thought this through. Giving this project to Julian is the best move for the company. If you don't like it, you can leave!"

I didn’t argue. I just nodded.

"Fine. I'll leave. But don't regret this later."

I walked to the exit, pulled out my phone, and replied to the email from Zenith Group’s CEO, accepting their job offer.

Zenith Group was a Fortune 500 company. Their short-form video platform was sweeping the globe. They were a titan in the tech and entertainment industry.

What Chloe didn't know was that the core AI recommendation algorithm I created was something Zenith Group had been begging to buy for years.

The only reason they were even considering partnering with a small company like AuraTech was because of me.

Without me, AuraTech’s system would collapse.

Suddenly, Chloe ran out of the office like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, blocking my path.

"Ethan! Have I been too nice to you lately? How dare you speak to me in that tone!"

In her mind, she probably thought I was still the same obedient dog who would crawl back to her the moment she snapped her fingers.

Julian stood beside her, a smug smirk on his face. He stepped forward, acting concerned.

"Ethan, you shouldn't talk to Chloe like that. What if she actually fires you? What are you going to do then?"

I frowned and pushed him aside. He took a dramatic stumble backward, pretending to lose his balance, and collapsed onto the floor.

Chloe’s face turned bright red with rage. She slapped me hard across the face, then rushed to help Julian up.

"Ethan! I've clearly spoiled you too much, making you forget your place! How dare you lay a hand on Julian right in front of me!"

"Apologize to him right now! Or I swear to God, I will fire you!"

I touched my stinging cheek and laughed.

"No need to fire me. I already resigned. Sign the papers."

Chloe, who had been expecting me to beg for forgiveness, froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You resigned? How dare you!"

I shook my head slowly.

"It's not just a resignation, Chloe. I'm dumping you, too."

"I'm done playing this toxic game with you."