Chapter 3

I went to the company dormitory, planning to go home after resigning.

The company I'm currently working at is Lena's.

All these years, I've worked myself to the bone to bring in business and secure investments for the company, striving tirelessly to realize her dreams.

I thought that once her career was more established, we could go home together. Then my parents wouldn't object to us being together anymore.

Now it seems there's no need for that anymore.

I called my mother. Before I could speak, tears welled up in my eyes.

Mom didn't ask anything, just sighed.

"My dear boy, you've suffered out there."

Like a child who had endured too much hardship finally returning to his mother's embrace, I broke down sobbing.

After I calmed down, I said softly, "Mom, I broke up."

She seemed to have guessed it already, her tone very calm.

"If you're tired, just come home. We'll always be waiting for you."

Dad jumped up angrily when he heard the news, but was calmed down by Mom.

"You calm down. I won't let anyone who dares bully my son off easy."

My mind felt emptied. I hung up the phone, exhausted.

After a few days, I went to the company and submitted my resignation.

As soon as I submitted the resignation letter, my phone rang.

When I answered, Lena's agitated voice came through. "Evan, what are you up to now?"

"This project is very important for the company. You need to know your limits. Get back here and entertain the clients right away."

I cut off her words. "I've resigned. Find someone else to take over these things."

The other end of the line went quiet for a moment before erupting with even more intense emotions.

"You really want to do this, huh?"

"Fine, there are plenty of people who can do your job. Don't think you can threaten me like this."

As if to punish me, Lena immediately approved my resignation application.

She thought I wouldn't last half a day before begging her to take me back. But a whole morning passed, and I showed no signs of giving in.

She started to get a bit antsy. She called my coworkers several times to pressure me.

I ignored it all and continued doing my own work.

It turns out when you stop caring about someone, nothing they do has any effect on you anymore.

After lunch, I returned to my desk to find Dylan sitting in my chair, strutting around like he owned the place.

My things had been thrown all over the floor.

When he saw me, he slowly stood up.

"Evan, this was all Lena's idea. She said to have me take over your position."

Then he walked over to me and lowered his voice next to my ear:

"Who told you to be so stupid and resign? From now on, I'll be the one enjoying the good life here."

Seeing his smug expression, I suddenly found it quite amusing. I don't know where he got the confidence to say he could replace me.

All these years, I've poured my heart and soul into maintaining this troubled company.

Yet he thinks my position here was about enjoying the good life.

Well then, I wish him success.

Seeing his face fall, I forced a detached smile, took the box of belongings an employee had helped gather, thanked them, and strode out.

I spent a few days saying goodbye to friends before bending down to pack my bags.

From now on, I would be leaving this city for good. This place held my youth from recent years, as well as my first love that ended without closure.

Bitterness welled up in my heart. I closed my eyes, forcing myself not to think about it anymore.

My phone rang abruptly, Lena's furious voice coming through.

"Evan, you've gone too far. You deliberately sabotaged things with the business partners, causing Dylan to be ostracized."

Before I could explain, she imperiously ordered me, "Get your ass back here right now. This big deal is crucial for the company's performance in the second half of the year. If we lose it because of you, we're finished."

Her absurd yet confident words made me feel truly ridiculous.

What gave her the right to think I would still care?

"Didn't you say you'd be fine without me? Then go find someone else," I said.

Ignoring her angry tone, I hung up and blocked her number.