Chapter 3

After sending the message, I began packing up my things.

The company's 200-person group chat suddenly updated with an announcement.

Paul was calling me out by name.

[Former Sales Manager Chloe, due to requesting seven days of wedding leave for personal marriage, has severely disrupted the company's daily operations. We have decided to revoke her Sales Manager position and reduce her salary by eight thousand. Let this be a warning to everyone.]

The group went quiet for a moment, then came a long string of "Acknowledged" messages.

Immediately after, my Twitter exploded with dozens of messages.

[Sorry Chloe, something came up last minute this weekend. I won't be able to attend the wedding. Wish you happiness.]

This was from my desk neighbor, a workplace partner I'd worked with for five years.

[Chloe, um, my elderly relative is sick and I can't get away. I'll send you the gift money. Happy wedding.]

This came from a colleague—I'd covered his shifts when he was sick and took leave last month.

And then there was Lisa, the first intern I'd trained, who was also my bridesmaid.

[Chloe, John hinted in the group chat that we shouldn't attend your wedding. Find someone else to be your bridesmaid...]

I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the keyboard, not replying.

I knew this was part of Paul's manipulation.

Making sure no one came to my wedding, turning me into a joke on my wedding day.

I closed my phone, forcing myself not to look anymore.

Suddenly, a document was slammed down in front of me.

"Chloe, SKY Group's CEO is getting married this weekend. I'll have to trouble you to come in on Saturday for some overtime."

John looked at me with a fake smile, deliberately emphasizing:

"This is Paul's decision."

I remained silent. On my wedding leave application form, I'd clearly written:

Wedding date: January 31st, this Saturday.

So demoting me, cutting my pay, and isolating me wasn't enough for Paul.

He actually wanted me to cancel my own wedding?

"Are you and Paul sure about this?"

I asked in a flat tone.

"Of course. How could we joke about something like this?"

John tilted his chin at me.

"Chloe, don't feel wronged. Marriage, well, good things come to those who wait. Changing the date is the same thing."

"Fine."

I stood up, picked up the box of items I'd just packed, and showed an unusually warm smile:

"Then I'll see you on Saturday."