Chapter 3

"Mr. Sterling, Chloe, I need to use the restroom."

I kept my eyes down, my voice barely a whisper.

"Don't leave yet, Elena," Chloe grabbed my arm.

"When clients throw up all over me after drinking too much, I don't just walk away."

Someone chimed in, "Exactly, Elena. Frankly, you're lucky Mr. Sterling values old loyalty, or he wouldn't tolerate your attitude."

"With your communication skills, you wouldn't even get a job as a janitor elsewhere."

"Elena, Mr. Sterling isn't actually holding a grudge. You should pour him a drink and thank him for giving you this chance."

Before I could react, someone shoved a glass of vodka into my hand and pushed me forward.

I stumbled two steps, landing right in front of Arthur at the head of the table.

Arthur leaned back in his chair, looking at me with a greasy grin.

"Elena," he murmured, his fingers sliding over the back of my hand, giving it a suggestive squeeze.

"I've always appreciated your skills. It's just your temper..."

This absolute bastard!

I yanked my hand back, aimed at his oily face, and threw the vodka straight at him.

"Ah! Arthur! Arthur, are you okay?"

Chloe panicked, rushing over with napkins to wipe his face.

Arthur grabbed Chloe’s hand and screamed at me, "Elena, if you don't want to work here, get the hell out!"

"Fine! Consider this my resignation!"

With that, I turned and stormed out.

Behind me, Chloe and Arthur’s furious curses echoed.

Leaving the restaurant, I unlocked my old bicycle and rode toward the hospital.

On the road, the tears I had held back all night finally poured down.

Just before reaching the hospital, I wiped my face clean, forcing myself to look normal.

I pushed open the door of the ward. Barbara was already asleep.

My husband, Stuart, looked up when he heard the door.

"You're back..." His voice trailed off as his eyes locked onto my face.

"Elena, what happened?"

"Nothing," I turned my head, avoiding his gaze. "Just had a drink, and someone spilled it on me."

Stuart was silent for a few seconds. He placed a warm hand on my shoulder. "Elena, don't carry everything on your own."

"Barbara's surgery is done. My company is finally making a profit. We'll have a big payout next month."

"Don't push yourself so hard, okay? You don't have to carry the world."

My nose stung. I quickly looked down, whispering a soft, "Okay."

I barely slept that night.

The next morning, I still went to the office.

Even if I was leaving, I had to pack my things. Some of my research notes and personal files were too valuable to lose.

The Tech Department was at the end of the hallway.

When I reached my office door, I found it slightly ajar.

I pushed it open, and my heart sank.

My desk was completely bare. Not even a scrap of paper was left.

Chloe was standing right in front of where my desk used to be.

Hearing my footsteps, she turned around, a smug grin plastered on her face.

"Oh, look who's here! You're quite early." She picked up an envelope from the desk and tossed it at me.

"Here. Your termination letter."

I stared at the envelope but didn't touch it. "Where are my things?"

Chloe smirked, her manicured finger pointing toward the trash can in the corner.

My blood ran cold.

Scattered around the trash bin were shattered pieces of glass.

Those were my trophies and awards from the past few years.

My professional textbooks and research notebooks were thrown into a messy pile next to them, covered in dirty footprints.