Chapter 2

Lydia Lane pov

In the end, the press conference still went on.

But because of my protest, Ethan Hayes had no choice but to temporarily remove the media Q&A and only let Nora Wells go onstage to show off her “thoughts on returning to the country.”

I sat in the last row and watched Nora enjoy the applause onstage, my face expressionless as I closed my laptop.

If I hadn’t fought to the end tonight, I was afraid I would be the one standing onstage right now, facing everyone’s accusations.

I took a deep breath. If you back down for too long, other people will only start treating your blood, sweat, and tears as something they’re entitled to.

But from now on, I would never let anyone step on me to climb higher again.

The moment the press conference ended, an assistant ran over, drenched in cold sweat. “Manager Lane, Mr. Hayes wants you in the lounge immediately.”

When I pushed the door open, Nora was leaning against the sofa, wiping away tears. Ethan stood by the window, his face as dark as water.

The moment she saw me, Nora immediately played the victim first. “Lydia, you almost ruined my press conference just now!”

Ethan stubbed out his cigarette and gave an order in a charitable tone. “Organize a copy of the draft materials and send it to Nora tonight. Externally, we’ll keep the story consistent: you handled execution, and she was the lead creator. Bonuses, a promotion—any compensation you’re after, just say the word.”

Compensation again.

Every time he wronged me, he threw money at me, as if dismissing a beggar.

“I only want my credit.” My voice was firm.

Nora looked as if she’d heard a joke. “You insist on fighting me over this?”

“I’m taking back what belongs to me!”

Ethan’s expression sank completely to freezing point. “Lydia Lane, don’t take this too far. Nora is upset. If you lower your head, the project can continue.”

“If the project can only continue by making me lower my head, then let it die.”

The lounge fell into dead silence.

Ethan stared at me as if he were looking at a lunatic. “For the sake of one empty title, you’re willing to abandon a project worth tens of millions for Hayes Group?”

“Mr. Hayes, I’ve resigned.” I looked at him. “Hayes Group’s tens of millions are not my responsibility.”

Those words were like a poisoned thorn, stabbing into Ethan’s chest and making it contract abruptly.

He yanked open a drawer, threw out a check, and pushed it over. “Three million! Give the draft materials to Nora, and I’ll pretend your resignation never happened!”

Beside him, Nora sneered. “Lydia, stop pretending. The only reason you stayed by Ethan’s side was for money, wasn’t it?”

I walked forward and picked up that check.

Ethan’s tense jaw had only just started to relax when, in the next second—

Rip.

In front of both of them, I tore the check in half and threw it back onto the table.

“I used to like you. It’s true. I liked you in a way that had no dignity.” I looked at Ethan’s livid face, every word clear. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll have no self-respect forever.”

After I finished speaking, I turned and left, my steps not faltering once.

Nora cried and threw herself into Ethan’s arms, but this time, Ethan did not lower his head to comfort her.

He stared fixedly at the closed door, then at the shredded check on the floor. Suddenly, his heart filled with an uncontrollable panic.