Chapter 3

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly.

Julian gasped, his suppressed emotions finally exploding.

"I did all this for the company's development! Other girlfriends would be thrilled, why can't you get it, Harper?"

I ignored his twisted logic.

He, however, continued to ramble on, as usual, about the importance of the company's growth, promising me a place once the company went public.

My ears were bleeding from his lectures. I raised a hand to cut him off.

"No need. I'm packing my things and leaving right now."

Julian had wielded his authority as a boss for so many years; this was the first time he'd ever been interrupted.

His face flushed with anger. He glared at me for a long time before snorting.

"Fine! Then I'll leave!"

He slammed the door shut as he left.

I didn't chase after him. I quietly packed my belongings.

The client had arranged a free, luxurious single staff apartment for me, ready for immediate move-in.

Just as I finished packing and called the moving company, I coincidentally saw Chloe dropping Julian off at his place.

They were walking hand-in-hand, laughing and chatting.

Julian had shed his usual cold, distant CEO persona, looking down at Chloe with utmost tenderness, completely smitten.

Chloe noticed me first and deliberately squeezed his hand tighter.

Julian sensed something was off, followed her gaze, and quickly released her hand.

He walked towards me, instinctively starting to explain, but when he saw me loading my things into the car, he paused, then changed his question.

"It's so late. Where are you going?"

Was he blind? Didn't he see the huge "Moving Company" logo on the truck?

I was about to continue moving my stuff.

But Julian blocked my path and suddenly shoved a bag of clothes he was carrying into my hands.

Seeing me unresponsive, he pulled out a shirt and held it up against me.

"I know you've been busy and haven't had time to shop. I just picked this up for you when I passed by the mall."

For me?

This designer shirt was clearly not my size.

A receipt peeking out from the bag showed Julian's credit card number and a price of over ten thousand dollars.

He hadn't "just picked it up for me." He'd specifically taken Chloe to the store to choose it!

He sure was generous.

Just two days ago, I bought a two-hundred-dollar shirt and asked him if it looked good.

He coldly lectured me for over an hour, calling me wasteful, rambling about how hard it was to make money, and saying that strong ability was more important than fancy clothes.

And now?

Now making money was easy, huh?

My hands in my pockets, I looked at them coldly.

"No thanks. As they say, 'clothes make the man, saddles make the horse, and a bell makes a dog run happily.' Keep such expensive clothes for Director Chloe."

Chloe, who had been holding the clothes, froze for a moment. When she realized what I'd said, she furiously threw the clothes down. "How dare you insult me?"

Her eyes red, she glared at me, charging forward to strike.

I didn't move. One slap sent her sprawling to the ground.

"Not just that. I dare to hit you, too."

Chloe's slender limbs were like matchsticks. The only reason she'd managed to hit me earlier was because I was caught off guard.

Now, I'd returned the favor.

Julian cried out, clutching Chloe protectively in his arms.

"Harper! Let's talk this out! Why would you hit her?"

"If you want to leave, then leave! Don't you dare come back!"

He didn't need to say it. I wasn't planning on coming back.

I turned and got into the moving truck, speeding off towards my new life.