Chapter 5

Michael flinched, stood up, his eyes red and brimming with tears, utterly wronged.

“I’m so sorry, Richard… I just wanted to do more for the company. I really didn’t mean to…”

Seeing a man in his twenties respond to a crisis by simply whimpering and crying, I couldn’t stand it.

Charlotte’s taste had apparently deteriorated to this extent.

Charlotte, having heard the news, rushed over and immediately came to his defense:

“Richard, don’t blame Michael. I gave him permission to take on this task.”

“He needs experience, and I gave him the client to practice with. Do you really need to scold him in front of so many people?”

At that, a bitter laugh escaped me, and I reprimanded her mercilessly:

“Charlotte, do you completely disregard my clients, and the company’s reputation as well?”

Charlotte froze for a moment.

Normally at the company, I gave her all the decision-making power.

No matter how outlandish her decisions, I would always cover for her privately and ensured she maintained her authority as CEO publicly.

She hadn’t expected me to blame her so mercilessly in front of so many employees.

“Richard, watch your tone! I’m the CEO!” she warned in a low voice.

“You know about ‘tone’?”

I retorted, my voice exceptionally clear in the quiet office area.

“With everyone in the company watching, you’re openly favoring him?”

Charlotte was instantly speechless, her face turning green then pale.

I didn’t stop, staring into her eyes and continuing:

“You put his name on the proposal I stayed up all night to create, claiming he did it.”

“You’re taking the client relationships I worked so hard to build and letting him practice, just to ruin them.”

“Are you planning to train him to be the next company boss, or the next husband?”

At that, colleagues bowed their heads, not daring to breathe.

Charlotte’s eyes widened: “Richard! How can you say that?!”

Seeing her composure crumbling, and our seven years of relationship reaching this point, I couldn't even bother to feel angry anymore.

All my disappointment had been spent; only clarity and indifference remained.

I adjusted my cuff, my voice returning to complete calm.

“That’s enough. We’re getting a divorce. I sent you the divorce agreement last night.”

“Since you don’t like checking messages, I’ll tell you clearly to your face today.”

Charlotte stood rigid, her face filled with disbelief.

I glanced at Michael, then calmly added the last sentence:

“Oh, and someone will be taking over this company tomorrow. You and he should both prepare to pack your things and leave.”