I was wondering why Rebecca looked so familiar. It turned out she was the same specialist who had failed to restore a limited-edition handbag six months ago.

She had sent someone to beg me for help, and I had easily solved the issue.

An internationally certified restoration specialist like me was extremely rare in the industry. I wondered if Kate knew that she was going to ruin Gilded Ages' reputation by hiring an incompetent specialist like Rebecca to replace me.

But well, the store's reputation was going to go down the drain once I left anyway.

Feeling amused, I said, "Have you forgotten about the huge blunder you made six months ago, Ms. Huntington? Did you already forget about how you became the laughingstock of the industry? Do you have the memory of a goldfish or something?"

My colleagues covered their mouths to muffle their laughter.

"Why did she hire the disgrace of the industry?"

"I know, right. Her skills are probably far inferior to Lily's. What if she accidentally identifies a counterfeit as a real product?"

They hadn't bothered to lower their voices as they discussed among themselves.

Rebecca frowned slightly. A stern expression crossed her face as she said, "You can't beat me, no matter how skilled you are, Lilian. Not only can I provide excellent service to our clients, but I also have a good grasp of the lower-tier markets and can integrate both audiences into our business plans."

She arched her brow and continued haughtily, "Overestimating one's skills because of easy circumstances is a one-way ticket to a person's downfall. You sure are something else for having the guts to spout nonsense when you're about to be kicked to the curb like trash."

I burst out laughing. After all, no one had the authority to fire me except for the boss of Gilded Ages.

Rebecca grew visibly uncomfortable when I scrutinized her.

"You're right. You know that your skills are abysmal compared to mine, so the only way you can feel superior to me is by being appointed to a position above me. Can you really tell me that you managed to secure your position with your skills? What a joke."

I stared at Rebecca as she swallowed nervously.

The people around us scrutinized Rebecca as well. Their gazes felt like blades that cut deeply into her pride.

Rebecca hastily pulled out a document. She puffed out her cheeks and glared daggers at me.

"Look for yourself! Mr. Samson personally approved my letter of appointment. I'll have you know that he's also the one who told me to replace you. Oh, and one more thing. We're getting married next month, which will make me your boss as well."

I was momentarily stunned by her words.

It was no wonder Kate and Rebecca had the guts to behave so preposterously. They had someone supporting them behind the scenes.

No one knew about this, but Terence Samson was my husband. He was also the reason why I had willingly worked as a low-level employee in Gilded Ages for so many years.

Five years ago, the Samson family attempted to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry. Unfortunately for them, they failed spectacularly.

Backed into a corner, Terence's father, Tom Samson, sought out Dad and used their friendship to ask him for help.

They used to be classmates. Dad's family circumstances weren't great when he was a student, and he could only afford to eat bread for most of his meals.

Tom ended up taking charge of Dad's meals for an entire year, which Dad was incredibly grateful for.

As a result, Dad asked me to repay Tom's kindness on his behalf.

Tom ended up asking me to start a business in the second-hand market for luxury goods.

Many people flocked to Gilded Ages because of my reputation. It didn't take long for the shop to become famous.

Terence had also professed his love for me around that time.

Suspecting that the Samson family was just trying to tie me down, I repeatedly rejected Terence's advances, advising him not to use his future to ensure the shop's continued prosperity.

However, Terence had been adamant about marrying me. In the end, I caved in and agreed to date him with marriage in mind.

Terence's betrayal had blindsided me. It seemed that, from his perspective, I had exhausted my usefulness. And so, he didn't hesitate to replace me with Rebecca.

I had placed my confidence in the wrong person.

I pursed my lips and looked at Rebecca. "Do you know that Mr. Samson is my husband? Aren't you afraid of being called the other woman?"

Rebecca suddenly burst into laughter. A hint of mirth flickered in her eyes as she exclaimed, "What a joke! You're just one of his employees. Who do you think you're fooling?"

Kate chimed in, "In what world would Mr. Samson ever have eyes for you?"

A BMW suddenly appeared on the scene and stopped between us at that moment.

Terence, dressed in a black, tailored suit, got out of the car. He immediately approached Rebecca and elegantly grabbed her hand, saying, "Don't be scared."

Terence's lips curled up into a smile as he waved his phone.

"Rebecca and I were on the phone the entire time, so I heard everything that you said. I'm tired of making up excuses, Lilian. I only married you because I wanted to use you. Gilded Ages doesn't need you anymore since it's an established business now. I can also chase after my own happiness."

Kate and Claire grinned at each other when they exchanged glances.

"I only married you because the Samson family failed to break into the fashion industry and had no choice but to switch to the luxury goods market. As the successor of the Samson family, I have the right to act stubbornly. I refuse to be stuck with you for the rest of my life," Terence continued.

I had expected Terence's shamelessness, but I was still astounded by his brazen behavior. I never thought that a person could act so outrageously.

I put my hands behind my back and curled them into tight fists. I tightened my grip until my knuckles turned white, forcing myself to calm down.

"Forget it. Call your father right now. I want him to personally tell me that he wants to fire me," I said.

Panic flickered across Terence's face for a split second before his expression morphed into one of fury.

"We're all adults here. No need to tattle to my father. Besides, I'm the boss of Gilded Ages. No one can tell me what to do!"

Kate chimed in mockingly, "Are you deaf? Mr. Samson is telling you to get lost! Why are you still standing there?"

"Stop causing a scene in front of our store, Lilian," Claire said smugly. "The world of adults is very realistic. The neighbors are going to make fun of you if you refuse to leave."

There were glaciers in my eyes as I forced a smile onto my face.

"Don't think too highly of yourself, Lilian. You're nothing more than the Samson family's watchdog. If your owner refuses to feed you, you'll just have to beg for scraps on the streets," Rebecca snarked.

"You have a death wish, don't you?" I roared as I lunged at Rebecca.

I shoved Terence aside and slapped Rebecca hard across the face.

Rebecca shrieked as she held her cheek.

Terence knocked me aside, stretching his arms out as he stood in front of her protectively.

"Take your frustrations out on me if you're angry, Lilian! If you lay another finger on Rebecca, I won't give you a single cent when I divorce you!"

My stomach turned as I stared at Terence's face.

In the last five years, Terence has always told me to take business trips or work overtime to meet clients. Whenever we had dinner with a client, he would always force me to drink to please the client.

I always assumed that Terence was just a business-minded man, which was why he didn't know how to consider my feelings.

However, he was more than willing to shield Rebecca behind him as he haughtily berated me, even though I was his wife.

I clenched my fists and suppressed my repulsion. "Do you feel nothing for me, Terence? You hid your true intentions so well for the last five years."

Rebecca shook her head. The corners of her lips were still stained with spit. Pride surged through her since Terence was protecting her. She didn't dare raise her hand against me because I could easily repel her attack, so she chose to hurt me with her words instead.

"Lilian, do you know why you and Mr. Samson still have no children even though you've been married for five years? I bet you have no idea that the vitamins that you've been taking are actually birth control pills!

"Mr. Samson got tired of a workaholic like you a long time ago! He hates that you don't act like a woman at all. In fact, he would rather take care of his needs himself than touch you."

Terence averted his gaze and tugged on Rebecca's arms. "That's enough, Becca!" he hissed.

He knew that I had visited the hospital several times for this very issue, and he had always discreetly hinted that the fault lay with me.

"Is she telling the truth, Terence?" I asked.

I could tell that Terence was feeling guilty. His voice was barely above a whisper when he mumbled, "Rebecca's right. I didn't want to have kids with you. I have the right to decide since I'm the head of the family."

I burst out laughing as the last traces of my hesitation melted away.

Since Terence had the right to decide whether he wanted to have children with me and cheat on me, I also had the right to destroy Gilded Ages.

"Fine," I spat as I hurled my work ID to the ground. "Let's go to the courthouse when you're free. I'll give my blessings to the two of you!"

Terence and Rebecca exchanged ecstatic looks.

"No need to wait. I brought the divorce papers with me."

Terence rummaged through his bag and handed me the document.

I quickly scanned through the contents. "There's something wrong with the division of properties. What do you mean, I'm only entitled to one million dollars? Is this a joke?"

Terence shrank back a little at my furious tone. He hastily said, "Sign the papers now if you agree to the terms. I'll transfer the money to you immediately. If you refuse to sign, we'll just have to settle this in court—that is, if you don't mind getting ridiculed.

"Hurry up and decide. Don't get in the way of Becca's and my romantic getaway."

Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. I felt sick to my stomach.

I knew that Terence and Rebecca would drag my name through the mud if we did go to court, so I made my decision then and there.

"Fine. I'll sign."

My colleagues felt indignant on my behalf. Their resentment was practically oozing off them in waves.

"You shouldn't sign! You're definitely entitled to much more than that. It's obvious that they're trying to take advantage of you. Don't fall for their schemes, Lily!"

"I'll quit if they fire you, Lily. I'll go with you!"

Terence's temper exploded upon hearing them voice their displeasure at my unfair treatment.

"Have you lost your mind? I'm your boss! You have no right to criticize me! Are you going to give up on a free trip and a raise?"

Unfortunately, Terence's words not only failed to silence them, but they also had the opposite effect of stoking the flames of their animosity even more.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing.

It seemed that Terence had forgotten the important fact that his employees were people, not his pets.

"That's enough," I said. "No more talk about leaving. I'm getting old. Also, there's no reason for you to reject a free raise. I'm glad that we got to work together for the past few years. We still have a long future ahead of us, so we'll definitely meet again!"

Three of the employees I had personally trained began crying upon hearing my words. A university student who recently joined us also had reddened eyes.

"Are you getting on the bus or not? If you don't want to enjoy a free vacation, then you'll just have to stay behind and work. I don't have time to waste on you!"

To show her loyalty, Kate was the first to board the bus. Although many of the employees were frustrated with the mistreatment that I was forced to endure, they needed their jobs to survive. They slowly got onto the bus, one by one.

They wore matching expressions of reluctance as they waved at me from the bus.

Terence rolled his eyes at me after he transferred one million dollars into my account. He then led Rebecca toward his car.

I shot one last look at Gilded Ages' sign. I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't miss the shop.

However, I had made up my mind.

Besides, I was also curious to see how Terence would keep Gilded Ages afloat after firing his most important employee.