Chapter 3

Jade Monroe's POV

By the time I got home, it was already dark.

There was a pair of pink slippers by the entrance, like a territorial marker.

Xavier sat on the sofa holding a tablet, looking at reports.

Hearing the door open, he didn't look up. His first words were reproachful.

"Why are you making trouble with an intern at the company? Amber sent me photos-her face is swollen. Can't you be more magnanimous?"

I ignored him and walked straight to the bedroom, dragging out my suitcase.

Xavier followed me in, leaning against the doorframe with furrowed brows.

"I'm talking to you! Jade, are you going through early menopause or something? Amber's family is poor, she's trying to work hard and get ahead. I'm just giving her an opportunity. You're engaging in workplace bullying."

I opened the closet and took down the clothes hanging inside one by one, throwing them into the suitcase.

"I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."

I swept my skincare products into my makeup bag.

Xavier finally sensed something was wrong and stepped forward to hold down my suitcase.

"What are you doing? Running away from home again? I told you it's just a work relationship. Can you stop being so unreasonable?"

I backhanded him with a slap.

This slap was harder than the one I'd given Amber earlier.

Xavier's head snapped to the side, and five finger marks quickly appeared on his face.

He covered his face, looking at me in disbelief.

"This slap is part of the resignation handover process."

I said.

Xavier took a deep breath, his eyes turning cold.

"Fine, Jade, you've grown bold. Since you want to make a scene, let's settle accounts. Everything you eat, wear, and live in-which of it wasn't paid for with my money? You can leave if you want, but don't expect me to beg you to come back. And I'm freezing your supplementary card as punishment for hitting someone today."

"Do whatever you want."

I closed the suitcase.

"I don't want that mess anymore."

"Don't regret this!"

Xavier pointed at me.

"Once you walk out that door, don't ever expect me to spend another cent on you!"

With that, feeling he'd lost face, he stormed out and slammed the door.

The force knocked a framed photo off the wall.

I surveyed this mansion filled with seven years of memories.

I pulled out a stack of yellow sticky notes and placed labels on all the furniture, appliances, and decorative paintings I'd purchased myself.

After finishing this task, I took one last look at the house with my suitcase, then turned and left.

As I drove away from the villa district, my phone vibrated. It was a message from the security guard.

"Did you just leave? A young woman just claimed to be your relative and asked me to let her in."

Sure enough, the replacement was eager to move in the moment I left.

I replied.

"I don't know this person. If she's a solicitor, I suggest calling the police."

An hour later, I arrived at the small apartment I'd purchased before the relationship.

I immediately opened my computer and connected with Sebastian White.

The screen lit up, showing Sebastian's background as an overseas conference room.

A group of executives sat solemnly, but he raised his hand to pause the meeting and focused on the camera.

"Did I interrupt your acquisition?"

I asked.

Sebastian stared at me.

"The acquisition isn't as important as you. Are you sure you want to activate the agreement? Once you sign, I won't let you go."

"I'm sure."

I looked at him.

"I want to get married. To you."

Sebastian couldn't suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth and immediately turned to instruct his assistant to book flights.

"I'm not waiting two months. I'm flying back tomorrow to get married. Put the wedding on the schedule."

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

The video call ended.

I sat alone on the carpet.

Ten years ago he'd said if Xavier ever let me down, he'd be there.

I thought it was a joke then. Now it was a lifeline.

Xavier's love was a consumable good. Sebastian's love was a fixed asset.