Chapter 3

The celebration was held in the top-floor lounge.

When Claire hurried back to the office, applause was ringing out from behind the glass doors. Next to a champagne tower, Lily was wearing a gold sash that read "New Client Relations Manager." Adrian stood beside her, personally helping her cut the cake.

Claire pushed the door open and walked in.

The applause gradually died down.

Seeing her pale face, Adrian frowned slightly. "Why are you back?"

"To correct a mistake."

Claire placed her folder on the table and connected her laptop to the projector. The screen lit up, displaying the scoring records from the bidding system, meeting minutes, and executive feedback one by one.

Brand Director Bid: Nine judges, seven votes in favor.

Final Result: Vetoed.

Vetoed by: Adrian Vale.

Hushed whispers rippled through the crowd.

Claire looked at everyone. "My proposal passed the majority of the judges. It wasn't that I lacked the ability, nor did I lose to someone more suitable. Mr. Vale personally vetoed me."

She turned to Adrian. "Care to explain?"

Adrian's expression darkened. "This is not the appropriate setting for a public discussion."

"Didn't you choose to have a public celebration today?" Claire swept her gaze over the balloons and the cake. "Since someone can publicly celebrate their special treatment, why can't I publicly explain my rejection?"

The smile froze on Lily's face.

Adrian took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Claire, go to my office."

"I've been there too many times."

Claire didn't move.

"Six years ago, when you first took over the company, the board doubted you because you were too young. I turned down a high-paying position at a consulting firm in New York to stay and help you restructure the brand. I helped you secure your first batch of hospital clients, handled three PR crises for you, and pushed the company from a regional brand to a national one."

She paused for a second, looking at that familiar, cold face.

"Because you weren't just my boss. Oh, and it's about time everyone knew—this man, Adrian Vale, is the boyfriend I've been secretly dating for five years."

Dead silence fell over the lounge.

Someone knocked over a glass, and champagne slowly dripped down the tablecloth.

The people who had been mocking Claire in the group chat quickly averted their eyes. A few employees standing near Lily instinctively stepped away from her.

A flash of crimson crossed Adrian's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. "That's enough."

"Not yet."

Claire took out her resignation letter and placed it next to the cake.

"Effective immediately, I resign from my position as Senior Brand Strategist. The handover documents for my current projects have already been sent to HR and Legal."

Right on cue, her phone chimed.

It was an email from Vanessa, CC'ing the company executives. The subject line was bold and clear: "Official Offer for Managing Partner, New York."

Claire opened it in front of everyone.

Vanessa hadn't just listed the salary and equity; she explicitly stated that Claire would have the authority to build her own team independently, sign projects, and dictate client strategy.

Claire replied: "I accept."

The "Sent Successfully" notification popped up on the screen.

Adrian's face finally changed. "You can't make this kind of decision when you're emotional."

"I've spent six years considering things for you," Claire closed her laptop. "Now it's time I consider myself."

The celebration ended abruptly. As the employees filed out, the looks they gave Claire shifted from mockery to avoidance. Someone deleted the messages in the group chat, while others whispered about exactly how Lily had earned her promotion.

Claire picked up her documents and walked toward the elevator.

"Claire!"

Lily chased her into the hallway, blocking her path.

"Did you say all that today just to ruin my party?"

"Move."

"You're just jealous that Adrian treats me well." Lily lowered her voice. "Did you really think going public would make him acknowledge you?"

Hurried footsteps echoed from the other end of the hallway.

Catching a glimpse of Adrian out of the corner of her eye, Lily suddenly grabbed Claire's wrist. Claire shook her off, but Lily used the momentum to fall backward, crashing into a decorative shelf against the wall.

"Claire, why did you push me?"

Adrian was at her side in an instant, holding her by the shoulders.

His speed was inhumanly fast, but no one noticed. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Lily on the floor and Claire standing over her.

"Apologize to her," Adrian said coldly.

Claire glanced at the security camera above them. "You're not even going to check?"

"I saw her fall with my own eyes."

"You only ever see what you want to believe."

Adrian helped Lily up. "Whether you've resigned or not, until your offboarding is complete, you are still bound by company policy. Publicly attacking a colleague and instigating conflict—I can suspend your access and hold you accountable."

Claire laughed.

Someone finally couldn't hold back and asked, "Mr. Vale, is what she said true? Are you two really dating?"

More eyes gathered on them.

Adrian was silent for a moment, shielding Lily behind him. "No. I don't have a girlfriend. Claire is emotionally unstable today due to losing the bid. As for my private life, this conversation ends here."

In that moment, the last bit of pain in Claire's heart finally went quiet.

She pulled a delicate chain from around her neck. Hanging from it was a ring, engraved on the inside with the date they met. Because she couldn't wear it on her hand, she had hidden it for five whole years.

Claire took the ring off and placed it in Adrian's palm.

"I've resigned, so you are no longer my boss."

She folded his fingers over it and looked up at him.

"And your denial just now terminated everything else between us."

Adrian's hand clenched tightly.

Claire turned and walked to the elevator. No one behind her dared to make a sound.

Before the elevator doors closed, she gave him one last look.

"Now you can honestly tell everyone that you really don't have a girlfriend anymore."