As the project lead, I was supposed to receive an annual bonus of $28,000.

However, my wife transferred all the money to her newly hired male assistant and simply tossed me a supermarket gift card instead.

“There’s $30 on this card. Buy whatever you want. I’m pretty generous, aren’t I?”

I was stunned.

“Joy, my mother needs that money for her surgery. You can’t be serious!”

She sneered and said, “Why waste money on someone who’s dying anyway? At most, I’ll give you $700 to pick out a nice coffin.”

Looking at her smug face, I smiled as well.

Joy probably forgot that although she held all the company shares, the core patents of the company were registered under my personal name.

I immediately sent a message to my lawyer.

[Starting today, I’m releasing all patents in my name for free!]

Seeing that I remained silent, my wife, Joy Zimmer’s expression instantly darkened.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I’m wrong?

“Your mother’s condition is not and will not get any better. Sending her abroad for surgery is just like throwing cash into a fire!”

As she spoke, she threw the gift card forcefully at my face.

“Today is the year-end banquet. I don’t want to argue with you on such an important day. Take the card and behave. Otherwise, you won’t even get this $30 gift card.”

Dale Moore, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped in to calm her.

“Joy, don’t be upset. How about I just give the $28,000 back to Charles?

“I was only just assisting on those projects. Charles was the one who contributed the most. I really don’t feel right taking this money.”

Joy immediately cut him off and said firmly, “No way! I promised to give it to you. I’m not going back on my word now.”

She turned and glared at me.

“Dale has worked under me for years without a single complaint. I want to help him fulfill his dream of buying a home. Are you really going to make me break my word as a leader?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.

I poured so much effort into the company over the years. I pulled countless all-nighters and overcame numerous technical issues.

She turned a blind eye to all of it. She treated my dedication as nothing but an obligation.

In contrast, she remembered every single one of Dale’s routine duties and exaggerated their importance.

At this moment, fury surged within me.

Just as I was about to retort, the hospital called suddenly.

The nurse on the line sounded urgent. She said that my mother’s condition had deteriorated sharply, and she must be transferred to the ICU immediately.

She told me to pay an additional $3,000 as soon as possible.

I clenched my phone and had no choice but to suppress my helplessness.

I said meekly, “Joy, the hospital says my mom needs to move to the ICU. Can you give me $3,000 first so I can pay it?”

“More money? Wasn’t she fine this morning?”

Joy looked clearly disgusted.

“Charles, you’re not trying to scam me, are you? How low could you stoop? Are you making up a lie about your own mother like that?!”

My face turned red from rage, but I could not find the words to fight back.

After all, she had been in charge of all our household finances for so many years since we married.

I only had less than $10 on me in total.

Dale chimed in again with a mocking tone.

“Joy, don’t be too hard on Charles. Every man likes to have a little cash of their own. Keeping some pocket money is normal. Just listen to him this once.”

Joy’s face softened.

She glanced at me and said, “Since Dale spoke up for you, I’ll be generous just this once.”

I had begged repeatedly, but she remained unmoved.

Yet a casual remark from Dale was enough to make her change her mind.

I was torn between laughter and frustration.

The next second, Joy’s tone shifted.

“Fine, I’ll give you the money. But you have to at least show me you’re truly sincere.”

She pointed at the table full of wine glasses and said tauntingly, “One glass gets you $15. You’ll get more if you can finish more of it.

“If that’s too slow for you, you can crawl between Dale’s legs instead for $150 each time.”

The employees around Joy stifled their laughter at her suggestion.

Her sharp words stabbed right into my chest.

But when I thought about my dying mother, I knew I had no choice.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“I’ll drink.”

I drank glass after glass of strong liquor. My stomach churned violently, and my mind grew hazy.

I lost count of how much I drank. I only remember Joy finally throwing a stack of banknotes in my face and sneering with contempt. “For a little money, you’ve completely sold your dignity.”

I was too desperate to care about my wretched state. I gathered the scattered cash and staggered out of the private room.

I found the nearest ATM and deposited the money with trembling hands.

When the transfer confirmation sounded, my remaining strength finally left me.

Leaning against the cold wall, I vomited violently. My head spun, and I could barely stay upright.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

I opened it to see a reply from my lawyer.

[Mr. Bennett, the patent release has been filed. It should go live in three days.

[Once that happens, Zimmer Group will lose all rights to profit from them. Are you sure you want to do this?]

Recalling the waves of mocking laughter in the private room, I replied through gritted teeth.

[I’m sure. Mr. Lawson, please prepare divorce papers for me as well.]

…

The next morning, I went straight to work.

When I pushed Joy’s office door open, I saw her huddled close with Dale.

The two of them were practically pressed together.

Joy said affectionately, “Dale, what do you think of this car? If you like it, I’ll take you to pick it up later…”

Before she could finish, Joy noticed me at the door.

A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes. She instantly distanced herself from Dale.

She quickly composed herself and demanded sternly, “Don’t you know how to knock? You have no manners at all!”

I smiled tersely. “Mrs. Bennett, did I interrupt something?”

Joy blushed in embarrassment.

“I wasn’t doing anything shameful! Stop making things up!”

Dale hurriedly straightened his clothes. He avoided my gaze and said, “Charles, please don’t misunderstand. Joy and I were just discussing work.”

I did not care about their excuses. I just slammed the divorce papers down on the desk.

Joy glanced over in impatience.

“Charles, didn’t I just give you money yesterday? Are you here to ask for more?

“You’re a bottomless pit! Is this ever going to end?”

She thought the folder contained hospital bills.

“Whatever! I’m not going to argue with you. Here’s the deal. Perform well at the new product launch in three days. If the market response is good, I’ll consider putting up some money—”

I cut her off in a calm voice.

“That has nothing to do with me anymore.

“Joy, I’m resigning.”

She was stunned and wholly unprepared for my response.

“Charles, what’s your problem? Are you throwing a tantrum and resigning over a little thing like yesterday?

“Are you even a man to hold such a petty grudge? I was just trying to lighten the mood yesterday. It was a joke! I only asked you to drink a little. It’s not like I actually made you crawl through Dale’s legs!”

Looking at her angry, twisted face, I felt utterly exhausted.

I did not even have the will to argue with her anymore.

Without saying anything, I pushed the folder toward her.

Then, I took off my employee badge and tossed it into the wastebasket. I turned and walked away.

I heard Joy’s furious shouts behind me.

“Charles, don’t you think for a second that you can threaten me like this! If you walk out that door today, don’t ever come crawling back!

“I won’t pay a cent for your mother’s medical bills, you hear me?”

…

I ignored Joy and walked straight out of the company.

On the way, I called a number that I had not contacted in years.

The call connected almost instantly.

“Charles, what a surprise to hear from you!”

Lucian Bright sounded pleasantly surprised.

“Mr. Bright, are you free to meet now?”

My voice was a little hoarse.

“Yes! Of course I am,” Lucian said immediately.

Half an hour later, we met in a private room at a cafe.

Lucian looked at me. He spoke with a wistful, yet hopeful tone.

“Charles, I’ll be blunt. I’ve offered you the chance to join me countless times before, but you always turned me down for Joy.

“Honestly, it’s a shame! With your talent, staying at a small company like Zimmer Group is such a waste.

“Have you finally thought about my offer?”

I smiled wearily and nodded in response.

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Lucian’s eyes. He did not press further.

He slid a prepared contract across the table to me.

“The Chief Technology Officer position at InnoVigor Corporation has always been yours for the taking. The salary is exactly as I promised you, at the highest tier.”

Without hesitation, I picked up the pen and signed it.

Lucian had founded InnoVigor Corporation. It was a true industry giant.

The technical capabilities and market share for that company far exceeded those of Joy’s company.

Over the past few years, he had invited me to join him several times. The terms he offered grew more generous every time.

Back then, I was blinded by what I thought was love. All I cared about was helping Joy grow her company.

I politely declined Lucian every time.

I looked back and realized how absurd it all was.

Despite my years of wholehearted effort, I found myself in a position inferior to that of Joy’s sycophantic assistant.

After I was done meeting Lucian, I finally found time to visit my mother at the hospital.

When I reached the ward door, I saw an unexpected figure.

It was Joy.

She was sitting by the hospital bed, peeling an apple and speaking softly to my mother.

When she saw me enter the ward, she immediately walked forward and took my hand.

“Darling, I’ve taken care of everything for your mother. I also paid off all the medical bills.

“Don’t be upset with me anymore. Come with me to the office later, and I’ll have finance transfer your bonus. Now, you ought to stop being angry, okay?”

I was baffled when I saw her gentle behavior.

In all the years my mother had been ill, Joy had visited the hospital only a handful of times.

Each visit was rushed, and she never showed any willingness to stay a moment longer.

Why the sudden act of kindness? Had she actually come to her senses?

I knew her far too well to fall for that.

I turned aside to avoid her hand and said indifferently, “Tell me why you are actually here. Don’t beat around the bush, and get to the point.”

Joy’s face stiffened briefly before she forced out a smile again.

“Darling, I was wrong. I was thoughtless and made a mistake. You have every right to be angry.

“But this new product launch is too important for the company. You’re the only one who really knows the core specs and the entire control process. You can’t let a personal grudge jeopardize something this big.”

Well, that was expected.

The last trace of hope within me vanished completely when she revealed her true intention.

I deliberately shook off her hand and said coldly, “That has nothing to do with me anymore.”

Joy grew anxious.

She raised her voice and said, “How can this have nothing to do with you?! You’re the lead developer and my husband! The company’s interests are your interests. How can you just walk away?”

I laughed when I saw her entitled countenance.

“Joy, think about it. Do I own a single share of the company? Even if the launch succeeds, you get all the credit and the money. What’s in it for me?”

Without waiting for her response, I continued, “I never signed an employment contract with the company.

“If I choose to leave, you have no right to stop me.”

Joy’s face darkened. She looked at me venomously.

“Charles, I’ve been too easy on you. You refuse the easy way, so now you get the hard way. It’s time you learned your place.”

...

At Joy’s command, several bodyguards in black rushed into the ward. I tensed up.

“Joy, what are you doing?!”

She sneered and offered no reply. She merely gestured to them.