Chapter 7

"Got it," I said, pulling my resignation letter back. "The CEO can't hold onto an employee whose contract's already expired. And Andrew, as a brother, you didn't ask me to stay."

Andrew's fist tightened suddenly.

Victoria quickly tried to smooth things over. "Vivian, that's not what Andrew meant. The company could really use you right now.

"You've been here for so many years. If you leave all of a sudden, how are we supposed to handle all those projects?"

"I've got all the handover materials ready," I said, pulling out a portable hard drive and setting it on the table. "Everything's in here, including the project progress for this quarter, the supplier list, the Design Department's staffing, and the client requirements."

"I've already signed all the documents that needed my signature. It won't affect the company."

Charles's face grew darker. "You've really covered all your bases."

"I'm doing what I'm supposed to," I replied.

"With all that, there's all the more reason you shouldn't quit. The company needs you, and there's no reason to let family issues mess with your work."

"Family isn't the reason."

"Then why?"

"I want to go somewhere else."

"Where do you want to go?"

"I haven't decided yet."

That was a lie.

Ella's studio was already holding a spot for me.

My first solo project was all lined up. The contract needed my signature.

There was no reason for them to know, at least not yet.

Charles was used to deciding where I should go.

If he found out too soon, he'd shut that door on me.

Lucas suddenly asked, "Are you thinking about joining Ella's studio?"

I looked at him. "How did you know?"

"Ella was at that antique jewelry show you attended overseas," he said.

So he really did look into it.

I thought he'd spent the whole year wrapped up in Stella.

It turned out that he thought about me sometimes.

Lucas fixed his gaze on me. "Ella's studio is tiny. She can't give you the kind of resources Shea Group can."

"So what?" I shot back.

"Don't risk your future to prove a point."

"I'm not doing this out of spite."

"Then why are you quitting the moment you get back?"

"Because my contract ended."

"You know that's not what I'm asking."

I looked at him. "Lucas, do you really think everyone who walks away from your family is doing it out of spite?"

He didn't say anything for a moment.

"Vivian," Victoria's voice trembled. "Are you still mad at us for sending you overseas?"

"No," I replied.

Victoria pressed, "Then why are you leaving as soon as you get back?"

I hesitated, then said quietly, "Because you already have someone to take my place."

Victoria's eyes instantly turned red. "You're my daughter."

"Stella's your daughter, too," I said.

"That's different."

"How is that any different?"

Victoria opened her mouth, but couldn't get a word out.

Over the past year, Victoria had thrown Stella a birthday party, taken her to the doctor, and helped her set up an art exhibition.

Victoria only called me three times.

The first time, she asked me not to hold anything against Stella.

The second time, she wanted me to get Lucas to spend more time with Stella.

The third time, she told me Stella would get really upset if she saw my photo, so I should stay away for a while.

Yeah, it really was different. Stella needed her, but I had to keep it together and not cause trouble.

Andrew tapped the table. "I don't agree with you quitting. You're coming to the office with me tomorrow. Stella's joining the Design Department. You'll help her get familiar with the projects."

"Which project?" I asked.

"The wedding jewelry collection," he replied.

I couldn't help but laugh.

So it wasn't just my fiancé they were giving to her. Even the collection I designed for my own engagement was being handed over, too.

"Fine," I said.

Andrew looked relieved. "I'll have the driver take you both at nine tomorrow morning."

"No need," I said, sliding the hard drive over to him. "Here are the files. I'm not going."

"Didn't you say you'd do it?"

"I said she could join the Design Department. I never promised I'd be her guide."

Andrew's face turned cold. "She doesn't have any experience."

"Then she can start as an assistant," I said.

"Stella's background is way too high for an assistant job."

"So my status was good enough for an assistant, huh?"

"You're not like her."

Here we went again.

Whenever they needed me to give something up, we were family. But when it was her turn to take responsibility, suddenly we weren't the same anymore.

I nodded. "If we're so different, then I shouldn't have to be the one looking after her."

Charles slammed his cup down. "Are you really going to keep stirring up trouble at home?"

"I've already handed over the engagement and my room. Now I've quit my job. What more do you want from me?" I said.

No one said a word.

The study was so quiet that every tick of the clock seemed to echo in the silence.

Victoria suddenly covered her face. "Vivian, what do you want us to do?"

I looked at her.

I'd asked that question so many times before.

I asked it when Stella threw me under the bus, when Andrew pointed fingers at me, and right before they shipped me overseas.

I kept asking them, "What do I have to do for you to trust me, once?"

And every time, all I got was, "Stop causing trouble."

Now it was her turn to ask me. But this time, I had no answer left.

"You don't have to do anything," I said, getting to my feet. "I'm doing what you've always wanted. I'm not competing with Stella anymore."

I headed for the door.

Andrew called out coldly from behind me, "If you skip the office tomorrow, don't blame me if you regret it."

"I won't," I said.

"Do you really think anyone else out there will give you an opportunity as good as Shea Group?" Andrew sneered.

I grabbed the doorknob. "Then you can stop worrying about me, Mr. Shea."

Before the door closed, I heard the sound of glass shattering.

Andrew must've smashed it.

He's always had a temper, but no one ever shipped him overseas to reflect.