Chapter 4
Returning to my pre–marriage apartment, I spent three days alone, during which Knox didn’t send a single message.
Meanwhile, the company group chat kept buzzing with gossip.
“Secretary Reed is now a company shareholder? Talk about a rags–to–riches story! Wedding bells can’t be far off, right?”
“Is that even a question? Haven’t you noticed how Mr. Reynolds calls her into his office every day? A man and woman alone… what else would they be doing?”
“But what about Manager Vale? Doesn’t she have feelings for Mr. Reynolds-”
“Get real! She doesn’t even wear makeup. What man would be interested in a woman like that? The company’s full of unrequited crushes…”
Thinking back to the beginning, when Knox and I decided to keep our marriage secret, he claimed he didn’t want employees gossiping. Looking back now, he just wanted an easy escape route.
Unable to hide forever, on the fourth day, I returned to work as usual.
I submitted my resignation to Human Resources.
The HR manager gave me a surprised look.
“Manager Vale, you’re resigning? Does Mr. Reynolds know? I don’t dare approve this.”
“Everyone knows you’re a company pillar. You leaving would be like cutting off Mr. Reynolds‘ right
arm.”
Just as she finished speaking, contemptuous voices drifted in from outside.
“What’s the big deal about approving it? She’s obviously too embarrassed to stay.”
“After all, every project she handled only succeeded when Secretary Reed took over. If I were her, I’d have packed my bags ages ago!”
“Secretary Reed’s latest contract is taking the company public. Could Vale ever pull that off? Calling
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her eye candy would be generous–she’s more like a toilet bowl!”
All the projects she mentioned were proposals I’d slaved over day and night.
But at the crucial final stage, Knox would always hand them over to Marlow.
Pushing down my frustration, I looked up with a smile.
“You’re right. That’s exactly why I’m resigning. Excuse me, please.”
“I hope the company reaches new heights under Secretary Reed’s leadership. With her in charge, I’m sure everyone’s salaries will increase accordingly.”
“What’s with that passive–aggressive bullshit? I’ve disliked you for ages. Just because you’re a manager, you think you’re the boss’s wife or something?”
One coworker, fuming with anger, tried to lunge at me but was held back by others.
“Enough. Why waste time on someone like her? Can’t do her job properly, can’t keep a man, still single at her age–she’ll get what’s coming to her!”
Ignoring their reactions, I took my resignation letter and headed for the elevator.
As the doors slowly closed, my strength gave out. I crouched down, hugging my knees tightly.
But when the elevator doors opened again, I stood up, resuming my usual decisive demeanor, and
marched straight to Knox’s office.
As expected, Marlow was there too, currently sprawled on Knox’s couch, munching on potato chips.
“Manager Vale? I mean, Mrs. Reynolds! What brings you here?”
As Knox’s secretary, Marlow was the only person in the company who knew my true identity.
Knox’s explanation was that it made work arrangements easier.
After ten years, I hadn’t seen any professional benefits from this arrangement.
It had, however, made it convenient for her to taunt me.
My gaze swept over the crumbs on the sofa, and I couldn’t help but feel the irony.
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Chapter 4
In the past, when I entered his office, even having a sip of coffee was a luxury.
He always worried I’d dirty the carpet or stain the sofa, concerned about maintaining the company’s image.
Now with Marlow, all those rules had mysteriously disappeared.
When Knox saw me enter, his expression instantly hardened.
“Don’t you know how to knock?”
“Can’t you see I’m busy? Get out and try again properly!”
Marlow carelessly tossed her chip bag on the floor and quickly tried to mediate:
“Don’t be angry, Mr. Reynolds. She probably didn’t mean it–just in a hurry.”
“Besides, you’re family. How would it look to the staff if you send your wife away like that?”
I shot Marlow an icy glance.
“Since when do you have any right to speak here?”
Her coquettish expression immediately froze, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have upset you. I’ll leave right now.”
She had barely taken two steps when Knox grabbed her wrist forcefully.
“Stop right there. She doesn’t make the rules in my office.”
“You stay right here today. Let’s see who dares make you leave!”
He looked up at me, his gaze challenging.
“What? Realized your mistake? Coming to beg me now? Too late!”
I gripped the papers in my hand tightly.
“Sorry, I’m here to collect the divorce agreement.”
My remaining dignity wouldn’t let me show vulnerability in front of Marlow.
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Chapter 4
After this instinctive lie, Marlow’s expression changed completely.
She rushed over to me, grabbing my hands.
“Please don’t be so impulsive! Are you divorcing because of me?”
“What did I do wrong? I can apologize. If necessary, I can resign and leave. Please don’t fight
because of me!”
Marlow’s words added fuel to the fire. Knox seemed to have reached his limit, his voice barely
suppressing his fury.
“Raven, I’ve told you–there’s nothing between Marlow and me. Believe it or not!”
“You want a divorce? Fine! Just don’t come crying back later!”
“Before you go, transfer all your project leadership positions to Marlow, return all your bonuses to
the company, and then go wherever the hell you want. I won’t stop you!”
Hearing this, my eyes reddened as I stared at him in disbelief.
“Those projects cost me countless sleepless nights. What right do you have to give them to her?!”
Knox frustration turned away without even looking at me and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply.
Seizing the moment, Marlow deliberately slammed her head against the corner of the desk.
Blood immediately seeped from her forehead, and her face turned deathly pale.
“Mrs. Reynolds… I’ve already apologized. I don’t want the projects. I don’t want anything. Isn’t that
enough?”
“I’ll go. I’ll leave the company right now. Please don’t be hard on Mr. Reynolds…”
Before I could even react, Knox had already scooped her up in his arms.
SLAP!
The next second, a solid slap landed hard across my face. I looked up only to meet his fury–filled
gaze.
“Raven, Marlow has already apologized. When will you stop?!”
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“All these years, my patience has made you forget your place. Fine! You want a divorce? I’ll sign right now!”
My resignation letter fluttered onto the desk, overlapping with the divorce agreement.
Knox didn’t even look as he briskly signed his name three times.
He left me with nothing but the sight of his back as he carried Marlow away.
A sudden breeze blew through the room just as I wiped the tears from my face.
Silently, I went downstairs, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the airport.
At the hospital, after treating Marlow’s wound, Knox felt inexplicably agitated and went to the
corridor to calm down.
Thinking of the project Raven had worked on for six grueling months, he forced himself to calm
down.
He knew projects meant everything to Raven, which is why he deliberately mentioned transferring her responsibilities–certain she would refuse.
So, this would give him a perfect excuse to deny the divorce.
But he hadn’t anticipated signing in that moment of anger.
After much deliberation, Knox tentatively messaged me:
“There’s an issue with the project. Come to my office later so we can discuss it face–to–face.”
But what he received was a prompt that I had already blocked him.
The next second, a call from his subordinate suddenly came through.
“Mr. Reynolds, disaster! All our company projects have been poached!”
“The competitor is using identical proposals to ours–they even know our bottom–line pricing!”
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