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“Sign my resignation today, and I’m gone tomorrow. Send a courier for my things—I don’t care,” Caroline said bluntly. “Just do her this favor. Look at the poor thing, crying her eyes out after working so hard to get rid of me. Don’t you feel bad for
her?”
Caleb took a deep breath. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Every word I just said, I meant it,” Caroline replied, her tone unwavering. “I’ll submit my resignation right now. Ten minutes, tops.”
She pulled her laptop from her bag, flipped it open, and fired off the resignation form.
She’d even filled out the reason for leaving in meticulous detail— clearly premeditated.
Caleb watched her. His woman. The one he’d always controlled.
But now? She was ready to let even Michelle’s crap slide, just to
leave.
His frown deepened. Shit. She’s actually serious.
His face darkened further. With a sudden move, he slammed her laptop shut and grabbed her by the throat.
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“How many times have I warned you?” he growled. “This company is your only option now. I’m not your fucking stepping stone. And I’m sure as hell not letting you run off to some other bastard.”
His eyes narrowed to slits. “You schemed so hard to marry me back then. Well, now? Leaving won’t be that easy.”
Caroline met his gaze head–on, not flinching an inch.
Before he could tighten his grip, she raised her voice sharply.
“Michelle, it’s not that I won’t step aside. It’s Caleb who won’t let me go! How about this? Wire me the money first, and I’ll figure out the rest later.”
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Caleb exploded. “You know she’s fragile, and you’re still trying to provoke her with this crap? I’ll handle the company stuff for her. Drop the resignation talk. No matter who you try to drag into this, I’m not signing off.”
“You greedy bastard,” she shot back. “Want it all, don’t you? Playing sweet with Michelle, chasing old flames while keeping your corporate slave at home. Disgusting!”
Caleb’s grip tightened, cutting off her air.
“There’s nothing shady between me and her. She’s not some
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homewrecker. Watch your mouth!”
Caroline thrashed against him. Yet, his grip tightened. Black spots danced in her vision.
The pen. The stylus from earlier.
She grabbed it and stabbed it hard into his hand.
Not sharp enough to break skin. But enough to make him howl and loosen his grip.
Seizing the moment, she swung her hand and landed a loud, stinging slap across his face.
While he stood there frozen, she ripped free.
“Oh, so you’re not screwing her?” Her lip curled in disgust. “Like that’s something to be proud of? Can’t be faithful to your wife, can’t commit to your precious little flame. You’re a fucking failure at everything. And you’ve got the nerve to lecture me?”
She grabbed her backpack, ready to storm out.
Still fuming, she swung her laptop bag and slammed it hard into Caleb’s face.
She thought Caleb would angrily chase after her, but no sound came from behind her.
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Caroline didn’t look back. She bolted for the elevator. One cold glance back as the doors slid shut.
Caleb was still standing there, head bowed, his bangs hiding his expression.
He seemed lost in thought, maybe mulling over her words.
Just then, Michelle burst out of the ward, barefoot.
Spotting the red handprint on Caleb’s face, she immediately broke into distressed sobs.
“How could Caroline hit you? No matter how mad she is, she can’t just lash out like that! And your neck… It’s bleeding! We need a doctor, now.”
Caleb absently touched his neck.
It must’ve been scraped by a metal clasp on Caroline’s bag, but he hadn’t even felt the sting until now.
Her words still rang in his cars like another slap, sharp and unrelenting.
How dare she? After all her schemes to marry him, now she is playing judge?
Just as Caroline stepped out of the hospital, her phone buzzed. It was Walter.
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“Heard things got messy with you and Caleb?” Walter’s voice was old but commanding.
“We’re already-” Caroline started.
“I’ve told you, don’t handle serious stuff over the phone.” Walter cut in. “Quick decisions lead to regret. If you need to talk, do it face–to–face. I’m sending someone.
He didn’t ask where she was, but within three minutes, a Rolls–Royce rolled up.
The driver rolled down the window. “Sir Martin wants you
back.”
Caroline peeked through the tinted glass and spotted a bodyguard in the passenger seat.
Message received. Walter was letting her know she couldn’t
make a move without him knowing.
This time, she’d have to lay it all out.
Escorted by the bodyguard, Caroline arrived at Martin Manor.
Walter sat in the living room, his demeanor stern and unyielding.
His phone lay on the table, showing a screenshot of her
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Instagram post.
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They weren’t even connected online, so someone must’ve tipped him off.
“I agreed to let Caleb marry you because I thought you had brains,” Walter said, tapping the phone screen with a stony expression.
“You’ve done well over the years. Worked hard and gave me a grandson.
“But now? Divorce is one thing, but quitting his company and making it public? What the hell are you playing at?”
His voice rose with those final words, his displeasure palpable.
“Sir Martin, since you’re tracking my every move, you know the answer. He’s cheating,” Caroline said calmly. “He and Michelle aren’t even hiding it. Yeah, our marriage started without love, but I won’t put up with betrayal.”
“I’ll deal with him,” Walter said, his face darkening. “But blowing this up? That disappoints me. I backed you when you trapped Caleb into marriage. Now you want a divorce? You’re making me look foolish.”
“You stood by me back then, and I’m grateful,” Caroline said, steady. “But let’s be real. You needed me to clean up the Martin name. We’re even.”
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She met his gaze, firm and unyielding.
“I don’t owe anyone now. Stay quiet and take it? That’s betraying myself.”
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