Chapter 4

He froze, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Don't tell me your 'congratulations' meant congratulations on getting me fired?"

His face paled.

The office was terribly quiet. I didn't have to look to know that Malcolm and I were the center of everyone's attention.

I looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

After five seconds of silence, he finally spoke, his voice a little dry.

"Effie, can you stop being so nitpicky? What's wrong with congratulating a coworker?"

"The one who got dismissed was your girlfriend."

He stalled, his expression turning ugly.

"So what do you want from me? It's already done. Do you want me to break down and cry? Or have the whole company mourn for you?"

"As your boyfriend, if I don't post it first, who else would dare? How is Chloe supposed to save face?"

I laughed, a laugh that felt foreign even to me.

"So her face gets to stand on top of my dignity?"

Malcolm's expression turned even uglier.

"Effie, you're being completely unreasonable. I already told you it's company policy. Do you really have to go after Chloe like this?"

"Malcolm, that's the fourth time you've called me by my full name."

He froze, his eyes flickering.

After we made things official, he called me "baby," "Effie sweetheart," and at his coldest, just "Effie."

Even when we fought, he never called me by my full name.

Chloe, like a child who'd done something wrong, carefully tugged at his sleeve.

"Malcolm, don't blame Effie. She lost her bonus and her job—it's understandable she's upset. It's my fault, I shouldn't have come to handle the handover, but Mr. Whitney insisted…"

Her eyes were rimmed red, and she spoke the most hurtful words in the softest tone.

Digging out my wounds to whip them, and rubbing in a handful of salt on top.

Malcolm's eyes filled with tenderness, and his gentle tone gave me goosebumps all over.

"Chloe, this isn't your fault. Don't take the blame on yourself. A handover is normal work. Even if she's in a bad mood, she has to cooperate."

"You're the project manager now. You have the authority to assign tasks to your subordinates."

A flash of smugness crossed Chloe's eyes, but her expression stayed timid.

"Is that okay? Won't Effie be angry?"

Malcolm patted her shoulder gently.

"Even if she's angry, she has to comply. You don't have to coddle her."

I was so disgusted I could throw up.

I really am a complete idiot. These two were this cozy with each other, and I didn't notice a thing.

What a lovesick fool.

I quickly printed out the appeal materials I'd written, picked up my employment contract, and stood up to leave.

Malcolm's expression changed.

"Effie, where are you going?"

I didn't spare him a glance, and I didn't stop walking.

"To get back what's mine."

He hurried after me and grabbed my wrist.

"You're going to labor arbitration?"

My voice went cold. "None of your business."

He gripped harder.

"You really have to take it this far? What good does it do you to file a complaint with the Department of Labor?"

I looked up at him. "The good is that I get my $200K back, so certain people don't get to sit around enjoying what isn't theirs."

Right on cue, Chloe flinched.

"Malcolm, if Effie blames me for taking the bonus, I'll just give it to her. Please, don't fight because of me."

Malcolm turned to comfort her. "You don't have to give it to her. It's what you deserve."

When he looked back at me, his face was livid, his fingers nearly digging into my flesh.

"Effie, look at Chloe—she knows how to see the big picture, unlike you, always nickel-and-diming."

"Let me tell you—if you go to arbitration and embarrass Chloe, then we're through!"

I looked up at him.

"Malcolm, do you dare say that again in front of the whole company?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, and right then Chloe sobbed twice.

"Malcolm, if you break up with Effie for my sake, I'll feel so guilty."

Malcolm immediately gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll say it. Effie, if you insist on being this selfish, then let's break up!"

That was exactly what I wanted.

I looked at him and burst out laughing.

"Fine. Then let's break up."

I shook him off and walked straight into Zion's office.

"Mr. Whitney, I've already broken up with Zion. My $200K bonus—give it back."