Chapter 3

Sophia Bennett POV

Late at night, I returned to the penthouse apartment I shared with Ethan Pierce.

The location was prime, the property worth a fortune, yet it was as cold and empty as a showroom.

Over these five years, I'd tried so hard to fill it with life—buying flowers, adding soft rugs, changing to warm-toned curtains. But looking at it now, it all seemed ridiculously futile.

I pulled out a suitcase and began packing my things.

Actually, I didn't own much—just a few changes of business attire and some professional books.

At two in the morning, the sound of the password lock opening came from the entrance.

Ethan Pierce walked in carrying the faint scent of alcohol and Lily Hayes's floral perfume.

He loosened his tie and saw the suitcase in the living room, his brow furrowing.

"What are you throwing a tantrum about now?"

He approached, habitually reaching out to hold me.

"I already explained what happened tonight. Tomorrow, finance will transfer fifty million into your account. Sophia, don't make me think you're being unreasonable."

I sidestepped his touch.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum."

I looked at him calmly.

"Mr. Pierce, since Miss Hayes is back, it's inappropriate for me to continue living here."

Ethan Pierce's hand froze in midair.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms, lowering his head to kiss me.

"Let go!"

My stomach churned violently. I pushed him away with force.

Ethan Pierce stumbled back a step, his expression darkening completely.

"Sophia Bennett, my patience has limits."

He looked at me coldly.

"The position of Mrs. Pierce can only belong to Lily, but I never said I was kicking you out. As long as you behave yourself, you'll still be Pierce Corporation's Chief Analyst, and you can still stay by my side."

I looked at this devastatingly handsome man before me and suddenly felt he was utterly unfamiliar.

How could he speak such shameless words so matter-of-factly?

He wanted Lily Hayes as his legitimate wife and me as his hidden mistress.

"Ethan, you're disgusting."

Leaving those words behind, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the apartment without looking back.

The next morning, at Pierce Corporation's Investment Department.

I had just stepped out of the elevator when I saw that my formerly spacious and bright private office had been fitted with a new nameplate: "Vice President - Lily Hayes."

Lily Hayes was directing staff to move my files out. When she saw me, she gave me an apologetic smile:

"Sophia, Ethan said I needed a quiet environment to familiarize myself with the business, so he's letting me use this office first. I hope you don't mind squeezing into the open office area for now. You understand, right?"

Colleagues around us were stealing glances.

I looked at my personal belongings being carelessly piled into a cubicle and said lightly:

"I don't mind. As long as Vice President Hayes is happy."

I walked to that cramped cubicle, sat down, opened my computer, logged into the company's HR system, and clicked on the "Resignation Application" page.

On the third day after Lily Hayes's airborne appointment as Vice President, Pierce Corporation held an important board meeting.

The core topic was a risk assessment for an overseas new energy project.

This project involved five billion dollars in funding—one misstep could severely damage Pierce Corporation.