Chapter 2

"What's this? You've finally come around? Didn't you refuse to come back even when I offered you a million-dollar annual salary?"

Porter's tone was full of teasing.

Thinking of how Livia had made me leave the company because of Parker, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Don't even mention it. As long as your company doesn't have rules like 'get fined if you don't reply received in the work group within five minutes,' that's good enough. I'll report to your place in three days."

"Then it's settled. You can't back out this time!"

Not long after I finished talking with Porter, Livia called me.

"I left the bidding documents in my car. Come get them for me."

Parker's deliberately amplified voice came through.

"Ms. Livia, these tasks are what I, as an assistant, should do. How can we have Mr. Joseph do them? Mr. Joseph already resents me after being fined today. Let me go instead..."

That stern female voice didn't even think twice before comforting him.

"It's so hot out, and you have a weak constitution—you're not suited for running back and forth. Besides, he showed contempt for company rules. You were just doing your duty by giving him a friendly reminder."

"Joseph, I'm only giving you ten minutes. If I don't see those documents, pack up your things and leave the company!"

The call was hung up mercilessly. I stood there stunned for a long time, then laughed at myself mockingly.

My fiancée had scolded me without question for the sake of another man.

She'd even made me take over what should have been someone else's task because she felt sorry for him.

I still went to get the documents—after all, I still needed to hand things over for my resignation.

Livia took the documents. I was about to bring up resigning when, without even looking at me, she handed the documents directly to Parker.

"I'm announcing something now. Because Joseph showed contempt for company rules, I've decided to demote him."

"From now on, Parker will take over Joseph's position. Joseph will be demoted to assistant to support his work."

Parker looked at her with flattered surprise.

"I... Ms. Livia, you're so good to me!"

"It's just a bit hard on Joseph. But you've been Vice President for several years now and had enough leisure time. You should work as an assistant for a while to get some proper training."

Listening to Livia heap praise on him, my heart felt as if it were being strangled by a pair of hands—for a moment, the pain left me unable to breathe.

Everyone at the company knew I was Livia's fiancé, but under her management, I'd never received any special treatment because of that relationship.

On the contrary, she was even stricter with me than with ordinary employees. I started from the bottom, drank until I ended up in the hospital, secured countless projects—all just to make it to Vice President.

She always said, "I don't want you to be treated differently because you're my fiancé. This is how I'm tempering you."

But when it came to Parker, her principles could bend again and again.

Parker's face was full of smugness as he pulled out several reimbursement forms.

"Joseph, when you're in a position, you do the work. So I'll have to enforce the rules. These are receipts from the hotels you stayed at on previous business trips."

"The company has long said we need to cut costs, yet you still stayed at five-star hotels. You're just an assistant now—these expenses can't be reimbursed."

Livia snorted coldly and praised him.

"You've just taken over and already know how to create profits for the company. My judgment really is excellent."

My fingertips dug deep into my palms as I forced myself to stay calm.

"You can give the Vice President position to whoever you want, but I won't accept this assistant position."

"I came here specifically to resign. And Livia, let's cancel our engagement."