When I said that, Celia's expression stiffened.

Then she glared at me. "Alex, didn't I already tell you? Your commission and bonus—I gave them all to Nathan!"

I smiled and said nothing.

After all, what else was there to say?

"Ms. Gilbert, since that's the case, I'll have to resolve this through legal channels."

I stood and walked out.

Celia's eyes burned into my back, full of rage.

I didn't spare her a glance.

Once I left the company, I called the clients I'd built relationships with over the years and let them know I'd resigned.

Celia had no idea that those clients gave her orders because of my family's connections, not hers.

Now that I was gone, why would they keep working with her?

Back at my apartment, I packed my things and called my parents to let them know I was coming home.

"Alex, weren't you bringing your girlfriend back for the New Year?" Mom asked.

I told her Celia and I had broken up.

Mom didn't push. She just said I could come home whenever I was ready.

Dad called separately. He said the company had needed me for years—he'd only been holding things together because I'd stayed away. Now that I was coming back, he wanted me to take over the family business.

While packing, I asked him to arrange a lawyer for me.

If I was leaving anyway, there was no way I'd let Celia keep my wages and commissions without a fight.

Dad said he'd have legal affairs coordinate with me, and we hung up.

I called the lawyer Dad had arranged and explained my situation. He agreed to take my case and assured me he'd recover every cent I was owed.

After I finished packing, I grabbed my luggage and headed for the door—only to find Celia standing right outside.

She eyed my suitcase, something uneasy flickering across her face. "Where are you going?"

"What does it matter to you?"

Her expression darkened instantly. "Alex, I came here to apologize!"

"How long are you going to keep this up?" She glared at me. "Nathan's family is struggling—you know that! How can you be so heartless?"

I almost laughed. Nathan, struggling?

Just days ago, I'd heard him bragging to coworkers about a watch he'd bought. Over a hundred thousand dollars.

That's struggling?

The whole office laughed at me because Celia handed my earnings to Nathan. Meanwhile, he played the victim to her face and flaunted his spending behind her back.

So why wouldn't I fight to get back what I'd earned?

"Ms. Gilbert, if you're done, I'm leaving."

I stepped past her.

"Also—I've retained a lawyer. He'll be in touch."

The moment I finished speaking, Celia's expression shifted.

She grabbed my suitcase, knuckles white. "Alex, I won't let you leave!" Her voice pitched higher. "Just apologize to me, and I'll forgive you. You can come back to the company!"

I looked at her and shook my head.

Turn back? How could I possibly turn back?

For an entire year, even my own salary and bonuses had gone to someone else. What kind of logic was that?

Before I could respond, her phone rang. The screen flashed: Nathan Henson.

She answered immediately, her tone shifting to something soft and urgent. "Nathan, I know! Don't borrow money—I'm coming to find you right now!" A pause. "Alex is fine, he's just throwing a tantrum. He doesn't lack money at all, why would he care about that little bit?" Her voice turned reassuring. "Don't worry. I'll make him apologize to you."

As she spoke, her grip on my suitcase loosened. Then she hurried off without another glance.

I watched her go, and all that remained was disappointment.

She was still planning to make me apologize to Nathan?

In that moment, I gave up on Celia Gilbert completely.

After handing the keys to the landlord, I called a car and headed straight to the airport.

My phone rang as I arrived. Celia again.

"Alex, where did you go?" Her voice was sharp the second I picked up. "Do you know that because of you, Nathan is about to borrow from loan sharks?" She was practically shouting now. "You forced this! Come back right now and apologize to him!"

I smiled. "Ms. Gilbert, that was money I earned through my own labor. You just handed it to Nathan instead." I kept my voice even. "You could give me what's mine. As for Nathan's money—you can cover that yourself."

Silence. Then her breathing grew heavier.

I knew the truth. Her startup was barely afloat. She'd never had much money of her own. All this time, she'd been using my earnings to keep Nathan happy.

But what did that have to do with me?

"Alex, you don't lack money!" she snapped.

I was done explaining. The money I "didn't lack" came from my parents. For her sake, I'd poured everything into that company for a year—and hadn't seen a single dollar in salary or commission.

"Ms. Gilbert, me not lacking money doesn't give you the right to withhold my pay. You haven't given me one cent this entire year."

"Alex Rowe!" Her voice cracked with frustration. "Have you lost your mind over money? I'm so disappointed in you!"

I laughed.

Then I hung up.

There was no point continuing this conversation. Nothing I said would change anything.

I sent one final message: Ms. Gilbert, don't bother calling again. As for my salary and bonuses—my lawyer will be in touch.

"Alex Rowe, are you really going to treat me like this?" Celia's voice cut through the phone. "You're my boyfriend. What's wrong with me spending a little of your money?"

I hung up.

After that, I boarded my flight home.

My dad picked me up from the airport personally. He said he'd been hoping I'd come back—someone had to take over the family business eventually. He told me to rest for a few days, then report to the company.

I accepted gladly.

For the next few days, I did exactly that.

Then the photos dropped.

Nathan posted them in the company group chat. Him and Celia on a trip together, holding hands, looking cozy as hell. The chat exploded with people calling them a "perfect match." Some busybody even tagged me, asking if I thought the photos looked good.

Before I could respond, Celia kicked me from the group.

A text came through seconds later: "I'm on a business trip with Nathan. Don't overthink it! I'll add you back when you return to the company!"

I smiled.

"No need, Ms. Gilbert. I wasn't planning to come back anyway. Also, my lawyer should have already sent you a letter."

My phone rang immediately.

"Alex Rowe, haven't you made enough trouble?" Celia's voice was sharp with anger. "I already told you—apologize, and you can come back. I'll even stop deducting your commissions and bonuses."

I almost laughed.

"Ms. Gilbert, if that's your position, we have nothing to discuss. You can talk to my lawyer."

I hung up.

After that, I stopped paying attention to her.

A few days later, my phone rang again. Celia's voice came through tight with barely contained panic.

"Alex Rowe, what did you do? Every single client is refusing to work with me! Get back here and fix this—now!"

I smiled. "Ms. Gilbert, those were my clients. I left the company. Why would they keep placing orders with you?"

Silence.

Then, desperation crept into her voice. "Alex Rowe, come back. I guarantee—once these orders go through, I'll give you your full commission."

She knew. Without those orders, she was finished.

"No need, Ms. Gilbert." I kept my voice light. "You know me. I'm not hurting for money."