Chapter 5

June Mitchell POV

Ethan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing my unusually calm demeanor.

In the past, if I had seen the office filled with roses, seen another woman embracing him, I would definitely have questioned him with red-rimmed eyes or smashed things with a cold face.

But now, I was like a machine, discussing permission handover with him without any emotion.

"Ethan..." Sensing Ethan's distraction, Sadie tugged at his sleeve in dissatisfaction and said gently, "Since June wants to do the handover, just finish it quickly. Didn't we agree to celebrate my birthday at the rooftop restaurant tonight?"

Ethan snapped back to attention, set his wine glass on the desk, and looked at me coldly. "Lead the way."

We walked toward the top-floor laboratory, one in front of the other.

The corridor was so quiet that only the sound of high heels striking the floor could be heard.

"You'd better not have any other ideas." Ethan walked behind me, his voice low and full of warning. "June Mitchell, my patience has limits."

I didn't turn around, only said lightly, "Mr. Sinclair is overthinking. I just want to end this as soon as possible."

Pushing open the laboratory door, I walked straight to the main console and pulled up the interface requiring dual authentication.

"Press your fingerprint, then look at the iris scanner." I stepped aside.

Ethan stepped forward, looking at the flashing "Permission Stripping and Core Reorganization" prompt on the screen, his brow furrowing slightly. Though he didn't understand the deepest algorithms, he knew the risks of this operation.

"You're sure this is just permission stripping?" Ethan looked at me suspiciously.

"What else?" I met his gaze, my eyes candid. "This is the dual lock you personally set. Without your authorization, I can't take even a single line of code. I'm just executing your order, handing over the system to your 'muse.'"

Ethan stared at me for a few seconds before finally extending his hand and placing it on the fingerprint collector.

"Fingerprint verification complete."

Then he bent down and aligned with the iris scanner.

"Iris verification complete. Dual authorization successful."

The instant authorization succeeded, my fingers struck several commands on the keyboard at a speed invisible to the ordinary eye.

The download progress bar that had been stuck at 99% instantly jumped to 100%.

"Download complete."

I quietly removed the USB drive and gripped it in my palm. My nails dug deeply into my flesh, using pain to mask the violent pounding of my heart.

"Done." I stepped back. "All my permissions have been completely cleared. From now on, this laboratory and that system have nothing to do with me anymore."

Ethan looked at the screen displaying "June Mitchell: User Not Found" permission status and whipped his head around to look at me.

I still wore that cold expression, without anger, without sorrow, without even a trace of attachment.

"June Mitchell, what exactly are you trying to pull?" Ethan's tone grew irritated as he grabbed my shoulder.

Based on my understanding of him, he had probably softened. That irritation in his tone was actually guilt about neglecting me, but he was accustomed to being superior, so what came out was still a rebuke.

"Do you think this cold war will get my attention? I've already compromised. It's just changing a system name. Is it really worth this? I'll have finance transfer fifty million to your account tonight. Buy whatever you want. Stop making a scene!"

His grip made my bones ache, but I didn't struggle. I just looked at him quietly.

"Ethan Sinclair." I suddenly spoke, my voice so light it seemed like it could be blown away by a breeze. "Do you still remember what you said to me ten years ago in that basement?"

Ethan froze. Seeing the confusion in his eyes, I suddenly smiled.

It was an extremely desolate yet liberated smile.

"If you don't remember, forget it." I gently pushed his hand away. "Mr. Sinclair, I wish you and Miss White eternal happiness."

With that, I turned and walked out.

"Stop!" Ethan called out behind me. "Did I say you could leave? Tonight at Sadie's birthday party, you must attend! I want you to apologize to her in front of all our friends and resolve yesterday's matter completely!"

He probably thought that as long as I toasted this glass of wine tonight, the matter would be completely over.

My steps paused.

"Fine." I didn't turn around, my voice echoing in the empty corridor. "I'll be there."

To leave you one final gift.