Chapter 5

The next morning, I went to the office.

Chloe had texted me multiple times, insisting I wear a formal suit.

When I entered the building, my coworkers were whispering and pointing at me.

"Mr. Miller is back!"

"I heard he's getting promoted to VP today. That’s why he had to come."

"He deserves it. No one has worked harder than him... But do you know why Chloe is suddenly promoting him?"

"Oh, I know. Chloe and Tyler pranked his mom to death on his wedding day. And get this—Chloe slept with Tyler right after. She cheated on Ethan."

"Oh my god. So she’s giving him the VP title to buy his silence?"

Everyone stared at me with a mix of pity and disgust, thinking I was selling my mother's soul for a corporate title.

I ignored them, carrying a heavy weight in my chest as I walked to my office.

I began packing up my personal belongings. Halfway through, a colleague came to tell me the board meeting was starting.

Everyone was already there. Chloe looked at me and smiled, then stood up to speak.

"Everyone, thank you for coming. Today, I have a major announcement. The position of Vice President has been vacant for too long. It’s time we give it to someone with talent, dedication, and leadership."

Everyone in the room turned to look at me. In their eyes, I was the only one who fit that description.

Chloe smiled warmly at me, gesturing for me to stand up.

I paused, then stood.

But in the next second, Chloe’s voice rang out: "Let's welcome our new Vice President—Tyler Harrison!"

"Please give him a round of applause!"

The room erupted into quiet snickers and mocking whispers directed at me.

"Oh my god, it’s not Ethan? Why did he stand up then?"

"Hahaha, this is so embarrassing. I would literally die."

I had bled and sweat for this company for years, only for Chloe to hand my hard work to Tyler on a silver platter. She had publicly humiliated me.

Tyler stood up, strutting past me. As he did, he intentionally stepped hard on my dress shoe.

He leaned in, whispering so only I could hear, "You pathetic loser. Your mom was easy to fool, and you’re even easier. Chloe lost a bet to me, so she had to help me prank you guys. You have nothing."

I watched him walk to the podium. The rage in my heart crystallized into cold determination.

I turned around and walked out of the conference room.

Chloe tried to look after me while talking to Tyler, but Tyler held her back.

I had already known her promise of a promotion was too good to be true.

I walked into my office, placed my resignation letter on the desk, and pulled out my phone. I made a few quick calls to our top clients and partners, informing them that I was leaving Davis Tech Group and that none of their future projects had anything to do with me anymore.

Then, I blocked Chloe on Snapchat, Instagram, and cell.

I grabbed my box of belongings and walked out of the building without looking back.