Chapter 2

Connor smiled faintly at me and patted my shoulder.

"I'll withdraw your resignation; just come to work as usual. But find a time to publicly apologize to Chloe."

"Also, you're fully responsible for this rear-end collision, and I'll deduct the compensation amount from your salary."

It all clicked.

I scoffed, looking up at Chloe.

She probably knew exactly what Connor was going to say. Her face was full of smugness, and she winked at me provocatively.

I sneered.

"No, thank you."

"We can check the surveillance cameras to see whose fault the collision was. If not, just call the police."

"I have somewhere to be. I'm leaving."

With that, I walked straight away.

Connor was fuming behind me. "I've given you a chance! Don't you dare regret this!"

Regret?

Never.

I got back in my car and sent a message to Liam.

"I've resigned. I can start working at your company tomorrow."

Less than half a second later, Liam called back, his voice full of surprise. "Are you serious?"

He sounded a little unsure. "Are you sure you don't want to talk to Connor again?"

Liam and Connor had started their companies around the same time.

Compared to Connor, who started from scratch, Liam had more resources and more attractive benefits.

Liam desperately needed excellent technical talent, so he'd promised me higher shares and profits if I'd come help them. He even made an exception and offered me a part-time role, even after knowing my relationship with Connor.

But for Connor's sake, I had always unequivocally refused.

When I was at my lowest, almost freezing to death in the snow, it was Connor who dragged me into the police station and saved my life.

I was incredibly grateful to him, so I'd abandoned everything and dedicated myself entirely to the business, finding every possible way to help Connor's company grow step by step.

But now, it seemed he didn't care.

Besides, after all these years, no matter how you looked at it, I'd repaid his debt of gratitude enough.

I didn't need to put myself through this anymore.

"No need. I can make my own decisions."

After chatting with Liam for a few more minutes and confirming the contract signing time, I drove home first to grab the necessary documents.

I expected Connor to be out until late, as usual.

To my surprise, not long after, he walked into the living room, his face beaming with joy, while on the phone with Chloe.

Seeing me, his face instantly darkened. He intentionally rolled his eyes at me, then pushed open the bedroom door and went inside.

I knew he was waiting for me to go and soothe him.

Every time we argued at the company, I would find ways to apologize and ask for his forgiveness.

Even if he was the one in the wrong, I had to swallow my pride and admit fault.

Before, I thought it was my duty, whether to repay his kindness or to maintain our relationship, I should always indulge him.

But now, I just found it tiresome.

I focused on searching for things in the drawer.

Not long after, he walked out of the room, his face dark.

"Chloe's car is fixed. Is yours fixed yet?"

I knew this was his signal, an olive branch of sorts.

In the past, I would have immediately felt that he had forgiven me and gone to appease him.

But now, I didn't even look up. I said calmly, "It's just a beat-up old car. Not worth fixing."

Connor frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

I looked up at him, puzzled, not understanding what he was unhappy about now.

This car had been scratched many times before, and when I suggested fixing it, he'd always said the same thing.

I expected him to explode again, but to my surprise, he sighed.

"Chloe's work has been quite good lately. I gave her the car to retain her talent."

"You're my girlfriend, and when we get married, the company will be yours anyway, so why bother with salary amounts or compete with her?"

"Harper, everything I do is for the company. I don't want other colleagues to think I'm playing favorites with you."

I was surprised that he was actually explaining himself to me.

He'd never bothered to say such things before.

But I knew deep down that these were just excuses.

At the company, colleagues all knew how Connor treated Chloe and me.

Projects I slaved over for three days, he'd suddenly, on a whim, hand them over to Chloe, and with just a simple PowerPoint presentation, they'd become her achievement.

Clients I spent days negotiating with, on the verge of signing a contract, he'd use my name to take Chloe out to dinner with them, and suddenly the contract became Chloe's accomplishment.

Such incidents were countless.

Over time, other colleagues simply thought Connor favored Chloe more.

They even believed Connor didn't like me, and because of this, I suffered many snubs and bullying at work, which he saw but pretended not to.

I didn't want to explain; he'd just say I was making excuses anyway.

"Oh," I replied flatly. "You don't need to tell me all this. I have nothing to do with the company anymore. You can do as you please."

Connor didn't speak.

Finally, he sighed.

He walked over to me, lowered his head, and gently touched my face.

"Actually, I have a selfish reason too. I want you to take some time off and think about our wedding."

"When do you plan to marry me?"

He asked, smiling.

But I had brought up marriage many times before, and each time, he had refused.

Every time we fought and he wanted to placate me, he would bring up marriage.

Sometimes, I felt less like his girlfriend and more like a dog he strung along.

I remained silent.

Connor, as if playing with a dog, scratched my chin.

"Don't be mad, can you just smile for me?"

Saying this, he leaned in, as if deliberately trying to please me, and kissed my neck.

He rarely initiated physical affection with me.

In the past, I probably would have been thrilled.

After his kiss, I would have taken the lead, only to be pushed away and laughed at for being "dirty-minded."

Now, thinking about it, it just felt tiresome.

I yanked his arm away, pulled out a wet wipe, and scrubbed at my neck.

Connor was thunderstruck, frozen in place.

"You're disgusted by me?"

"I have to go out later. I'm going to change."

I said calmly, then turned to go back to my room.

Connor tried to follow, but I unhesitatingly closed the door and locked it.

"Fine! Harper, don't you dare regret this!"

Connor seemed genuinely furious. After his angry outburst, he kicked the door hard and stormed off.

When I came out of the room, the living room was empty.

In the company SnapChat group, Connor had sent a message, inviting everyone out for dinner and asking who wanted to come.

Complete silence followed.

Only Chloe sent three "happy" emojis in a row.

I knew Connor was deliberately trying to provoke me.

This had happened many times before; other colleagues were always reluctant to join, but Chloe was always enthusiastically responsive.

In the past, I would have been so jealous that I would have gone along, only to be mocked by them.

Now, I couldn't care less.

I went straight to Liam's place and signed the contract.

Liam was incredibly happy and specially arranged a celebratory dinner for me.

After several rounds of drinks, when I went to the restroom, I heard familiar voices from the private room next door.

I instinctively paused.

Through the slightly ajar door, I saw Chloe leaning into Connor's arms. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Connor was laughing joyfully.