Kate didn't appreciate my attitude.

"Are you deaf or mute? Didn't you hear me talking?"

"Or do you think another company will actually want you after you leave?"

I moved her arm aside and left without looking back.

Two days later, Corporate Headquarters parachuted in a new president.

On his first day, he emphasized that the new project had to be secured and asked about progress. Headquarters was taking this seriously—no mistakes would be tolerated.

After that, he signaled for Kate to call in the person in charge.

When Nolan appeared, the boss hesitated.

"I remember the project lead was a deputy supervisor with the last name Fox? Where is he? Have him come see me now."

Kate introduced Nolan to the new president, explaining that he was now handling the project. In front of the boss, she praised him to the skies.

Nolan was the director's son, yet he'd become a snake eating from the inside. Helping his father's mistress while secretly going after his own mother.

But the real reason—only I knew it best.

He started getting carried away, actually believing his own hype. He guaranteed the boss he'd secure the new project within three days.

"Three days? How about this—I'll give you five." That was Kate. "If you land this project, I'll personally promote you to assistant manager."

She'd meant to do that for a while. The new project was practically a sure thing—perfect leverage for Nolan's promotion.

"Really? Thank you, Ms. Matthews!"

The new boss had just taken office, so he couldn't say much outright. He sized up Nolan and reminded him that this project was critical to the company. Whatever method he used, he had to secure it.

Five days passed quickly. Then I got a call from Kate.

"Something at the company needs handling. Come in if you have time."

I didn't understand how she still had the nerve to order me around.

"Ms. Matthews, I already resigned, didn't I?"

"Correct. And?"

Her voice turned cold. "2:30 p.m. My office."

She hung up without waiting for a response.

At 3:00 p.m., my phone rang again. Still Kate.

"Where are you? It's already three—why aren't you here?!"

"Since you can't understand, I'll spell it out. I resigned five days ago. I'm no longer a subordinate you can summon whenever you want."

Silence. Then her voice came through.

"The agreement has a clause stating that even after leaving, you're still obligated to return and resolve matters within your scope."

"You didn't just sign it without reading, did you?"

I really hadn't looked carefully. And I'd guessed she wouldn't let this go.

So I told her to wait—I had no idea when I'd arrive.

For once, Kate didn't blow up. She just told me to hurry.

By the time I got to the company, it was almost end of day.

The moment I entered the conference room, I realized Kate and Nolan weren't the only ones waiting. There was also a middle-aged man I'd never seen before.

Kate glanced at her watch and demanded to know why I was so late. Then she turned to the stranger. "Mr. Hansen, this is Ian Fox, the one you wanted to see."

"He's always been lax—late arrivals, early departures. No sense of time whatsoever."

Nolan chimed in from the side. "Lax? When he was here, he was practically lawless!"

They did it on purpose. That's why Kate hadn't blown up earlier—she'd wanted me to keep the boss waiting. Tank his impression of me before I even walked in.

"You're Ian Fox from the sales department?"

"You think you can waltz out of here after leaving the company in shambles? One resignation letter doesn't cut it."

His tone was no different from Kate's.

Sure enough, the rot starts at the top.

"Why I resigned—Ms. Matthews knows that best."

Kate stared at me with ice in her eyes.

"Every single employee in sales gave you negative reviews. Are you saying they're all wrong?"

When she wanted something done, she'd use any means necessary.

Rhys signaled for us to set aside personal grudges for now.

"Ian, the Dragon Rise project—that was yours before, wasn't it?"

"There are issues now. Handle it."

I glanced at Nolan, smug as ever nearby, then at Kate.

"Sorry, I have no obligation to do anything for your company anymore. Find someone more capable."

Rhys's expression darkened. Kate and Nolan looked equally stunned.

Neither had expected me to refuse Rhys directly.

But for them, this was a gift. Rhys had ordered them to contact me and resolve the contract issues. They'd agreed to his face—then done nothing.

"Ian Fox, do you think this is a negotiation? This is an order!"

"The resignation agreement clearly states you have an obligation to—"

I cut Kate off. "What obligation? I handed over all my work."

"You're the ones who can't handle it, and now you want me to bail you out. Why should I?"

"You—say that again!"

Kate glared at me, seething.

She knew better than anyone how these past years had really been.

"In all my time here," I continued casually, "have you ever actually secured anything for the company on your own merit?"

"Brought in a single order? One profitable project?"

"I…"

"What? Am I wrong?"

Kate's face went pale. She searched for a comeback and found nothing.

Because everything I said was true.

Nolan jumped in. "Ms. Matthews worked herself into the ground for this company. She was hospitalized not long ago. Those are facts."

I laughed. Kate's face flushed crimson.

From day one, she'd treated me like her personal servant. I'd even bought her personal items. I knew things.

I gave Kate a meaningful look.

Rhys, however, latched onto it. "Hospitalized? Is it serious, Ms. Matthews?"

"The company doesn't endorse sacrificing your health for work."

Kate waved her hands quickly. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Hansen. Nothing serious."

"Good to hear."

Rhys didn't press further.

But Nolan kept running his mouth. "Besides that, Ms. Matthews travels on business every few days. Isn't that all for the company? Why does it sound like a problem when he says it?"

At the mention of business trips, I nearly laughed out loud.

This idiot wasn't helping Kate. He was burying her.

"Ms. Matthews, those trip expenses—all reimbursed by the company, correct?"

Kate's expression shifted. She opened her mouth to speak.

Nolan cut in with contempt. "Obviously. Business trips are for work—of course the company reimburses them."

"Then why is it that whenever Ms. Matthews travels, she's always—"

Kate interrupted before I could finish.

"Ian Fox, if you won't help, fine—but trying to turn employees against each other?"

"What exactly are you after? Coming back for revenge?"

Heh, the woman couldn't sit still already?

I hadn't even said anything yet.

Nolan, though, looked unbothered. "Ms. Matthews, let him talk. I want to see what he makes up."

"Sure, then I'll keep going."

I put on a curious expression and asked him, "When Ms. Matthews was hospitalized a while back—weren't you by her side?"

"Why would I be?"

Seeing he genuinely didn't know, I sighed.

Just as I was about to continue, Kate gritted her teeth. "Get out! Disappear from my sight—now—and don't ever come back!"

"I finally get it. You're just here to mess with us!"

I looked at her without showing any emotion.

She was anxious. Finally anxious.

But I'd already made up my mind—this time, there was no way I was letting her off easy.