Chapter 4

Charles and I first met at an investment conference, and we started working together on a project.

However, as time went by, my company had grown steadily, while his company had stagnated and even declined over the years.

If I hadn't passed some contracts his way over the past three years, his company would have been on the verge of collapse.

The next morning, I went straight to work.

I spent the whole morning buried in paperwork, and just as I was about to grab lunch, my phone lit up. Charles was calling.

I paused for a moment but answered.

He said, "Susan, I've got an important meeting today. Where's that new suit you got me? I can't find it."

I listened quietly, then said, "I threw it out yesterday. Just wear the clothes Natalie buys you."

Without waiting for Charles' reply, I ended the call directly.

Just then, my secretary, Bonnie Perez, walked in, holding some papers.

She said, "Ms. Linley, Ms. Jennings, who just joined last month, has been absent for the past two weeks, and she's still not in today. What should I do?"

I took Natalie's resume and skimmed it casually.

She graduated from some random college. If it hadn't been for Charles pulling strings, she would never have had the chance to join my company.

Now she didn't just refuse to work; she hadn't even shown up at the office.

I glanced at Bonnie and said, "Tell her she doesn't need to come in anymore. Make sure she gets whatever severance she's due."

Bonnie finally relaxed and quickly set the dismissal in motion.

After finishing up at work, I finally found some time to look at my phone. Sure enough, there was a whole stack of missed calls from Charles.

I didn't bother calling back. I could already guess what it was about.

When I got home, I could hear Charles shouting angrily and Natalie whining before I even stepped inside.

Natalie said, "I only missed a few days of work, and they fired me. I'm pregnant, okay? It's tough for me."

Charles said, "Natalie, don't worry. I'll make sure Susan takes you back. You're pregnant, and you deserve some extra care."

I took a deep breath, staring at the shopping bags littering the floor.

Not feeling well, huh? Funny how she had the energy to hit every store in town all day.

As soon as I pushed open the door, Charles stormed toward me, fuming.

He said, "Susan, do you realize how ridiculous your HR team is? How could they fire Natalie? You should kick them out of your company."

I said, "She was absent for two straight weeks. It was my decision, and they were just doing what I told them."

Charles paused briefly, then turned his frustration on me.

He said, "You knew Natalie couldn't work because she's pregnant. Why did you have to fire her?

"And what was that nonsense about my clothes? Why did you send my clothes away? If it weren't for the clothes Natalie bought me, I would have embarrassed myself with the clients."

I rubbed my forehead.

I wasn't sure when it happened, but it felt like everything he said was about Natalie.

He went way further than I ever expected to make Natalie happy.

He continued, "Why aren't you saying anything? You know you were wrong, right? Get Natalie back to your company, and I'll forgive you for what you did with my clothes."

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him.

I said, "Do whatever you want. If she wants a job at my company, she'll have to follow the process."

As I walked into the bedroom, I could still hear Natalie sniffling and whining.

She said, "See? Susan hates me. Fine, I'll leave. I won't even stay here if it bothers her."

Charles said, "Since Susan doesn't want you in her company, come and work for me. She's feeling too good about herself."

Just a few days after she started working at Charles' company, I got some good news.

Natalie made a mistake and ruined the partnership between Charles and a big client.

Charles showed up just as I was on the phone with Simon Warren from that company.

I said, "Just withdraw from the deal."

As soon as I hung up, Charles came in looking totally defeated, asking for a share of the business.

I said, "Weren't you always defending Natalie? She made a mistake, and she should apologize to Mr. Warren."

Charles looked frustrated in every possible way.

I knew Charles hated having to come to me for help, but if he lost this contract, his company might not even make it through the winter.

He pleaded, "Susan, I have no other options. If I don't get this, my company won't survive, and all those employees will be out of a job."

I grinned, handing him a document with a deliberately meaningful look.

I said, "Just put your signature here and I'll give you a fresh contract."

Charles' face lit right up. He didn't suspect a thing; after all, we had signed countless agreements before.

He opened it and started scrawling his name across the bottom, not even bothering to read through it. Only when he finished did he pause and look at me.

He said, "So, who are we working with?"

I looked at Charles with a knowing smile as I held up the document, pretending to be puzzled. "What are you talking about?

"This is a divorce agreement."