Chapter 5

Colleagues were whispering among themselves.

Some even showed looks of disdain.

Ethan's face alternated between pale and flushed.

I directed people to help me put everything back in place.

Even when Ethan tried to stop them, no one listened to him.

Amy was especially sarcastic: "Miss Clara, let me get some disinfectant to clean your office. It reeks of mistress in here!"

She sprayed alcohol all over them.

In the end, Ethan could only angrily repeat "Good! Good for you all!"

Before leaving with Lily.

As soon as I finished tidying up and sat down, I received a call from the village chief.

"Clara, are you sure you're coming home?"

"If you're sure, I'll have the Sullivan boy pick you up at the train station."

I smiled for the first time in a while.

"I've already bought my ticket, but don't tell Grandma yet. I want to surprise her!"

The village chief's tone became cheerful too.

He said "wonderful" several times before hanging up.

Our village really didn't have a rule about getting married at 30, but my grandma was 80.

She couldn't wait any longer.

Ever since Ethan and I had our falling out, they became more and more brazen at the company.

As if they finally didn't have to hide from me anymore, or as if they wanted to make me angry.

They were together every day, when Ethan attended events, Lily was always his female companion.

She even acted like the boss's wife at the company, ordering colleagues around.

Just waiting for me to leave so she could take my place.

Amy couldn't stand them and complained to me several times.

I patted her shoulder.

"Stay steady. Let her be arrogant."

When Lily provoked me for the fifth time and I still didn't take the bait, she finally couldn't keep up the act anymore.

She burst into my office without knocking.

"Ethan doesn't want you anymore. Why are you still clinging here refusing to leave?"

I casually adjusted the latest designer suit she was wearing.

Opening my mouth casually:

"Men, well, their love follows their money."

"You know that, right? I own 49% of this company's shares. What about you?"

"Want to make a bet with me? If he's willing to give you 10%, I'll give up my shares and pack up and leave."

"If he's not willing, you leave. Do you dare?"

Her face turned white.

But in the end she nodded: "Fine! You better not regret it!"

A few days later, Lily came to my office with Ethan.

She slammed an equity transfer agreement on my desk.

Looking at the second clause stating a transfer of 15% shares to her, I laughed out loud.

"Clara, stop pretending to be calm. Hurry up and pack your things and get out!"

Ethan glanced at me somewhat uncomfortably.

"Clara, don't blame me for helping her. It's just a bet. Consider it a consolation prize for the girl."

He changed his tone.

"But we're businesspeople who value credibility. Even personal bets require honoring the terms."

"But don't worry, even though you're giving up your shares, I'll still marry you. You'll be Mrs. Parker from now on."

"Your monthly allowance will only increase, not decrease."

"As for Lily, I won't let her appear in front of you anymore or challenge your position as Mrs. Parker."

I never expected that after all these years, he hadn't improved in other areas, but had learned to enjoy having multiple women.

"Ethan, you've really got it all figured out. I should give up my dividend shares to go home and be a full-time housewife?"

"I'm telling you, I'm not interested!"

Lily pulled out a recording of me clearly saying I'd honor the bet and give up my shares.

Then she handed me a voluntary share renunciation agreement.

Amy's eyes reddened as she tried to snatch it. I stopped her.

Then I picked up the pen and signed.

Lily's face flushed with excitement.

Though Ethan's eyes flashed with complexity, it was ultimately replaced by smugness.

I put down the pen and asked: "Is that enough?"

Ethan nodded and announced to everyone:

"From now on, Lily is my business partner. She'll take over Clara's position."

Some people felt threatened, but others started sucking up to her already.

"We'll definitely follow Miss Lily's instructions from now on."

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and move Miss Clara's things out to make room for Miss Lily!"

The thermos Ethan bought me was knocked to the floor, getting dented.

The blanket I knitted myself fell on the floor and was stepped on several times.

Even the orchid I raised had its branches broken off.

But I didn't stop them or get angry.

I just remembered the day we first moved in, when he spun me around in circles.

"Clara, we did it! This is our business empire!"

My vision blurred for a moment, then cleared.

I quietly watched the place I'd worked so hard for all these years being emptied bit by bit.

Until the nameplate changed from "Miss Clara's Office" to "Miss Lily's Office."

Only then did I turn around and walk straight to Ethan's office.

I sat in his chair.

I said: "Ethan, you're fired now."