Chapter 4

It was two weeks after my business trip when I returned, and the company had arranged a welcome-back party for me. As I settled in, Gia made a grand entrance, albeit late, casually seating herself next to Emmitt in the seat left vacant for her. The room, previously filled with lively chatter, fell silent, with all eyes turning towards me.

Once, such an encounter would have triggered my anger, but now I merely smiled and took a seat in an unoccupied chair. I remained silent, speaking only when necessary. The rest of the room visibly relaxed, except for Emmitt and Gia, who seemed completely unaware of the tension they'd stirred. Not that it mattered—I had reached a decision during my time away: I simply didn't care anymore.

As the evening moved on and drinks were passed around, Gia suddenly stood, raising her glass. "Natalie, you're the backbone of this company. Our recent success is largely thanks to your efforts. Here's to you, for bringing great profits to us," she declared before downing her drink in one go.

"I've finished mine; drink as you please," I replied, remaining seated.

Emmitt’s irritation was evident. "Gia's toasting you, and you’re just sitting there? Are you disrespecting her or me?"

I looked at him calmly. Was he really coming to her defense so quickly?

"I just took antibiotics; I can't drink," I explained.

"Who are you trying to fool?" Emmitt retorted, disbelief etched on his face. "You knew about the party, so you took antibiotics deliberately, didn't you?"

I sighed, feeling drained by his ridiculous demands. As I picked up my fork, intending to taste the spiced honey cake and quell my growing hunger, Emmitt abruptly slammed the table.

"Natalie Turner!" he shouted. "Are you deaf?"

The room went silent, everyone’s faces frozen in tension.

It was Gia who broke the silence. "Oh, Emmitt, don't be upset," she crooned, approaching me with her glass. "Natalie, whether you want to drink or not, you have to have this drink tonight. I'm sincerely apologizing. Are you really going to snub me?"

I looked up at her, suppressing a grin. "I told you, I took antibiotics. Are you deaf?"

With that, I casually knocked over the glass she extended toward me, spilling the drink all over her.

Emmitt was beside himself. "Have you lost it?!"

He stormed over. "Do you think sealing one deal makes you untouchable?"

Untouchable? I chuckled softly at his accusation. "Think what you want," I replied dismissively.

His eyes narrowed, misreading my calm demeanor as defiance. He grabbed a nearby bottle, filled a glass to the brim, and shoved it toward me. "You ignored Gia’s toast. My drink, you can't ignore."

His gaze was sharp, his tone dripping with threat. "If you don't drink it, start packing your things. As of tomorrow, you’re out of this company!"

There was a collective gasp around the room. Everyone knew how crucial my role had been in the company’s success, yet Emmitt seemed blind to this.

His relentless pressure didn’t bother me. Instead, I smiled, and in front of everyone, I produced the resignation letter I had prepared long ago. "I won’t be drinking. Here’s my resignation letter."

"Starting tomorrow, I won't be working with any of you," I declared, my voice steady and unwavering.