Chapter 4

I quietly packed my things and walked out of the company where I had poured my heart and soul for a year.

I had dedicated all my passion and intellect to this company, relying not on connections but on my own abilities to make it flourish.

Yet, I was met with termination. My heart felt as if it had been rolled in ice, cold and aching.

Colleagues came out to see me off, offering words of comfort.

Chloe said tearfully, "Leo, you're so talented, you'll succeed wherever you go. Don't let Derek's words get to you; you'll definitely find a new job."

I just smiled without speaking. Derek didn't have that kind of power.

Outside the company, I received a call from my aunt, who had been unreachable for half a month.

"Leo, I'm signing a contract with your company next week, but I'll be in Africa for a survey, so I can't be there."

I spoke, my voice low. "Aunt, I quit."

A pause on the line. "Did something happen at work? Do you need me to step in?"

No. I want to return to the company and take over this project myself.”

I hung up. A slow smile touched my lips.

The real show was about to begin.

My appearance at the signing stunned everyone from my old company.

Especially Mr. Henderson and Derek, whose stares could have cut glass.

Derek sneered at me. "What are you doing here? You're fired. You have no standing at this signing.”

I barely glanced at him. "Not being your employee doesn't mean I can't attend. What if I'm here on behalf of Skyward?”

He laughed, sharp and mocking. "Leo, that's pathetic. The CEO of Skyward is my mother. I'm the client. I'm signing for her.”

"Don't flatter yourself by calling yourself the client. A lowlife like you isn't fit to scrub Skyward's floors.”

His words drew every eye in the room.

"So he's Ms. Jonathan's son! No wonder he has such presence."

"How dare he offend Ms. Jonathan's son? This guy must not want to get by in this city anymore."

"He looks like he works at a nightclub. Definitely a kept man!"

"He's nothing like Ms. Jonathan's son, who's such a respectable young man."

Derek stood in the center, surrounded by flattery, already feeling on top of the world.

He looked at me with an even more triumphant smile and ordered the security guards, "Get this lowlife out of here right now, and let's proceed with the signing immediately!"

Several security guards moved toward me. I calmly took out a seal and held it up.

"Derek, without this, how can you sign the contract?"

The room went still, all eyes locked on my hand.

"Isn't that Ms. Jonathan's personal crystal seal? It's priceless. She never lets it leave her side. How could he have it?"

I walked straight past a stunned Derek, stepped up to the podium, and picked up the microphone.

"Effective immediately, Skyward Group is terminating its partnership with Conflux Company."

Mr. Henderson's eyes narrowed. He glared at me, furious. "Leo, who the hell do you think you are, speaking for Evelyn?"

I met his gaze, my voice level. "Didn't you hear me? I am the client."

Derek stared at me in disbelief. "Leo, how do you have my mother's seal? Who are you? What gives you the right to make decisions for her?"

I held his stare and spoke slowly, clearly.

"Because she's my aunt."