He was all smiles, chatting on the phone as he walked out, clearly discussing a trip with her.

Seeing this, I trembled all over. To my shock, he didn’t even glance at me.

The next day, at the company’s promotion meeting,

A row of employees wearing large red flowers stood up.

After they accepted their commendations, Ethan Reed slowly walked onto the stage. A photo of him and Julia Snow appeared on the big screen, their wedding pictures taken on a white sandy beach.

The audience burst into excitement, applauding and cheering.

Ethan stepped forward and took Julia’s hand.

“I announce that the new department manager is Julia Snow!” he continued. “I also have great news: we’re getting married next month!”

The employees erupted in cheers.

“I was wondering why Miss Snow was kept for last. So Ethan wanted everyone to share in the joy!” Julia’s supporters chimed in.

“I didn’t expect Julia to be so secretive.”

On stage, Julia couldn’t suppress her smug smile but pretended to cover her face.

“I told Ethan to keep it low-key, but he insisted on announcing it at the meeting.”

“Miss Snow, don’t be so modest! You’ve got the double blessing of promotion and marriage!” Veteran employees applauded.

“Ethan and Julia are a perfect match. Unlike some people reaching above their station—they can’t even get close.”

I clearly felt contemptuous, pitying glances from colleagues around me. My fists clenched as I shook with anger.

All around me, my coworkers applauded, and some stared, enjoying the scene.

I stood and tried to leave, but they clearly wouldn’t let me go easily.

As I stepped toward the exit, a colleague shouted,

“Vivian, it’s such a big day for Ethan, and everyone’s applauding. Why aren’t you clapping?”

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me, mocking me.

I stayed silent, but then Julia spoke on stage.

“Everyone, don’t blame Vivian. He’s probably tired and wants to celebrate privately with Ethan and us.”

Though she said this, the sarcasm on her face lingered, only tinged with smugness.

Onstage, Ethan didn’t even look my way.

“Everyone, let’s go. Tonight we’ll celebrate at a five-star hotel—it’s Julia’s and my wedding banquet!”

I quietly slipped out, pulled up the resignation letter I had already written, and sent it with one click.

After submitting my resignation, I figured that since I was leaving Ethan anyway, I had to make things clear to his parents. Ethan drove Julia to a music festival.

She had emptied my pockets again, leaving me nearly broke, so I took the bus to his house.

When I arrived, the brightly lit gate bore the words “Reed Family.”

It was absurd; I had paid for this villa in full, planning to live there with Ethan.

But he secretly moved his parents in and replaced the lock with a digital one, registering all his family members’ faces except mine.

After work, he retreated to this villa to relax. I, meanwhile, had to stay in the company dormitory.

I rang the bell five times before Ethan’s parents reluctantly came and opened the door.

“Vivian? Why are you here?”

Ethan’s mother scowled. “Shouldn’t you be working overtime at the company? Leaving all the burden on Ethan alone?”

“Ethan’s out, so I came to check on him.” Hearing this, I only wanted to sneer.

“You come to check on him, yet arrive empty-handed?”

Ethan’s father’s voice rang out from the living room. He tossed the tea leaves from his cup, nearly splashing hot water onto my shoes.

“I don’t know who sent me this lousy tea,” he scoffed.

“Look, the oolong Julia gave me is much better.”

“Premium tea is worth ten thousand dollars a pound. Vivian, take a look!”

I walked over and saw the box of tea he had tossed aside and the box of premium tea Julia Snow had supposedly sent.

“Dad, I ordered this Yunshan Oolong from overseas for you, didn’t you know?” I asked, confused.

I had given this fine tea to Ethan Reed and asked him to pass it to his father. How could it be Julia’s gift?

At that, Ethan’s father’s face suddenly stiffened.

“Ethan said it himself—Julia sent it. How dare you claim that?”

“This is what you brought. Five dollars a pound of cheap street-stall stuff. Take it back!” He threw another tin of tea at me.

“Spending so little and pretending it’s a grand gift!”

I picked up the tin of green tea, trembling all over. This must have been what Julia had given me.

“Vivian, it’s late, and as you can see, we haven’t prepared dinner.”

Ethan’s mother opened the door, clearly intent on sending me away.

Ethan’s father didn’t even speak further.

To the Reed family, I was always an outsider.

“Mom, Dad, we’re back!”

Just then, the door opened. Ethan walked in, holding Julia’s arm.

At the sight of them, his parents beamed.

“Julia, you’re here! Come in, sit down! We’ll prepare dinner for you,” his mother said warmly.

When Julia saw me, she quickly ducked behind Ethan, her eyes red.

“No, Auntie. Someone doesn’t welcome me. I should go,” Julia said timidly. At this, Ethan’s parents’ expressions hardened.

“Vivian! Are you bullying Julia?” Ethan’s father snapped coldly. “Let me tell you—she’s more worthy of this home than you are!”

“You claim you bought this Oolong? Then take it back! I don’t want it!” He hurled the tin across the table.

Ethan’s mother chimed in.

“Vivian, Julia is just a girl from a small town. How could she manage such an expensive gift? How much thought must have gone into it!”

“You bought a few dollars’ worth of tea from a street stall and dare to claim you gave it? How shameless!”

“We didn’t prepare dinner for you tonight. Leave at once!”

With that, they moved toward me, trying to drive me out. Hearing this, Julia burst into tears and stepped forward as if to stop me.

“Sister Vivian, it’s all my fault. Please don’t be upset with me.”

“I must be in the way. I’ll leave now. Just enjoy dinner with your family. Don’t worry about me.”

Julia dabbed at her tears, preparing to go.

At that moment, Ethan embraced her, then turned and glared at me.

“Don’t mind her. She’s petty and malicious—she’s just finding excuses to bully you!”

Shaking with rage, I picked up the tin of tea.

“Ethan! Tell your parents! Who bought this Yunshan Oolong?”

But Ethan’s expression turned icy.

“Stop twisting the truth, Vivian. Julia gave this to them!”

My whole body trembled with fury.

“Take your cheap tea back to the street stall and get out!” Ethan barked.

“We’re having dinner. None of it is for you,” his parents said coldly, ordering me to leave. Looking at the four of them, I finally realized I had always been an outsider.

Seeing this, Julia’s lips curled slightly.

“That’s not right. Let Vivian stay for dinner.”

She stepped toward me, tugging at my sleeve. But Ethan’s father cut her off coldly.

“Leave now, Vivian. And let me be blunt—don’t ever come back. You’re not worthy of our Ethan.”

"He's the company president, and Julia Snow is a glamorous woman. They're a perfect match."

"Don't contact each other anymore. Don't tarnish Ethan Reed's reputation."

Ethan Reed's father said calmly. Hearing this, I couldn't control myself any longer. I picked up the tin of Yunshan Oolong and slammed it to the ground.

"You drink the tea I gave you and live in the villa I bought for you, and now you're saying that?"

"If you're brave enough, leave! Don't live in my house!"

Hearing this, Ethan's father also turned his face.

"The villa is now registered in Ethan's name. Stop talking nonsense! Grab your lousy tea and get out!"

"If you don't go, I'll call the police."

Seeing this, a cold shiver ran down my spine.

I turned and glanced at Ethan, hoping he'd try to persuade me to stay.

But his eyes were cold, his fingers tightened, and he said nothing.

Seeing this, I turned, slammed the door, and walked out into the night.

Outside, the night breeze blew across my face.

Looking at the lights of countless homes, I suddenly didn't know where to go.

Returning to my desk at work would surely invite my colleagues' ridicule.

The small rental house was far away, but it was the only place I could go now. I went back to the office to get my keys. As soon as I pushed open the door, I saw that my computer, books, and teacup had been cleared out. In their place, the desk was piled with Julia's belongings.

I searched for my keys, but couldn't find them.

I felt a surge of fury, so I called Ethan.

The phone rang for a full three minutes before he picked up.

"What's wrong with you, Vivian? Didn't I tell you not to call me?"

Hearing this, my chest tightened.

"Why are all of Julia's things all over my workstation? You've lost my keys, you know?" I lashed out.

"Your desk is by the window, has good light, and Julia wanted it, so I gave it to her," Ethan said softly. "As for your keys, don't ask me!"

"That's my desk! Why does she just take it?"

"What do you mean by yours? I'm the president of the company. I can give my desk to whoever I want!" His tone darkened. "Can you please be more sensible, Vivian?"

"Julia isn't feeling well. She needs a place in the sun, so why not let her bask in the sunshine? How can you be so cold-blooded?!"

He said coldly, "Besides, didn't Julia give you a travel ticket? Isn't that enough?"

Hearing this, I almost laughed.

"What's a free ticket?"

"Stop joking! The company is mine, and I can give the position to anyone I want." Ethan said in a low voice, "Believe it or not, I can order you out of the company with a single command!"

After that, he continued softly,

"I have another thing to tell you. Julia is now living in the bedroom that used to be yours in the villa."

"Come back later and collect your things!"

"You're insane! That's my room!" Hearing this, my blood rushed to my head, and I shouted, "Just try to touch it!"

Ethan sneered,

"I'm telling you that your pillows and quilts are stacked outside the door. Come back and clear them out!"

"I bought that villa for you. Believe it or not, I'll kick you all out!"

I whispered, "Have you forgotten whose name is on the property deed?" Ethan chuckled sinisterly. "If you mess around, I'll call the police!"

"Julia's family is struggling, so what's wrong with letting her stay with us for some peace? Why are you reacting so strongly?" he said harshly.

"Vivian, have you forgotten that I'm the company's president?"

"If you weren't in management, believe it or not, I'd kick you out!"

Hearing this, a fresh wave of rage welled up in my chest. I could feel every humiliation like a brand, burning and permanent; betrayal tasted sour and metallic in my mouth. I did not know how to survive this hollow life.