Chapter 7

Perhaps realizing his tone had been too harsh, Julian’s indignation on his face softened slightly, replaced by an almost condescending “peace-making” gesture.

He sighed, his voice softening. “Alright, Anya, I know you’re protective. If you’re really unhappy… I’ll have HR call Chloe back? Just to save face for you.”

His tone made it sound as if bringing Chloe back was a huge favor.

“Of course she’s coming back.” I stared at him, my voice firm. “Restore her to her original position, with full compensation. Not a cent less.”

“But Julian, I can handle that myself. What I want to talk to you about isn’t that at all!”

He paused, surprised. “Then what is it?”

“It’s *you*!” I took a step forward, glaring at him. “It’s your series of unprofessional behaviors that have fallen below all standards, ever since this ‘pure-hearted’ Skylar came to the company!”

“You let her swap black coffee for sugary kiddie drinks.”

“Because she was late, you fired a loyal employee who had made significant contributions to the company!”

“Tell me, is this still the Julian I’ve known for ten years? I barely recognize you anymore!”

Julian was nailed to the spot by my barrage of questions, his face cycling through shades of red and white.

He opened his mouth, his eyes shifting with complex emotions.

Finally, a familiar, self-satisfied smirk crept onto his lips.

He suddenly reached out, trying to pull me closer, but I sidestepped, avoiding his touch.

“Anya…” His tone was a mix of helplessness and smugness. “Are you… jealous?”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice, intimately. “There’s really nothing going on between us! Professor asked me to help her find a job.”

“She’s clumsy and a little clever, which reminds me of our university days… I felt a bit nostalgic, so I indulged her a little.”

“I promise! It absolutely won’t happen again! I’ll handle company matters by the book from now on, okay? Don’t be mad?”

“Jealous?” Those two words felt like a red-hot iron branding my heart.

I looked at his face, wearing that “I’m trying to make you happy” expression, and my stomach churned.

Ten years of weathering storms together, and now, at a critical moment with the company on the verge of going public.

I was utterly exhausted, trying to talk to him about boundaries, principles, and his appallingly hypocritical and unprofessional conduct. And he just lightly dismissed it as “jealousy”? And blamed it on “nostalgia for youth”?

This was no longer simple favoritism; this was a double insult to my intelligence and my character!

I was about to make myself clearer when a sudden commotion erupted outside, mixed with a deliberately raised, overly sweet shout:

“Everyone’s worked so hard! The CEO is treating everyone to fruit salad! Come and get it!”

It was Skylar.

Julian and I exchanged a glance, and I saw a clear look of “saved by the bell” relief in his eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, he moved past me, pushed the door open, and walked out.