“By the way, are you sure you’re not coming to tomorrow’s company listing ceremony?”

In the beginning, to let Ember believe every achievement was earned by her own hands, I had planned to stay away once the company passed the IPO review.

But now, everything had changed.

“I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll officially reclaim control of the company. Also, there’s something I need you to handle first thing in the morning.”

My subordinate replied almost instantly. “That’s great! I’ve been hoping you’d return to lead us again!”

As soon as I ended the chat, the door flew open.

Ember charged in, her face twisted with rage.

“Killian, what is wrong with you today? I already told you I was just helping Mateo get established. I don’t understand why you’re making such a scene over a mere intern!”

“I’m furious about what happened. You owe me a proper apology!”

She marched up to me, glaring down as if I were beneath her.

I didn’t even bother to lift my eyes.

“Move. I’m going to sleep. I have more important things tomorrow.”

Ember let out a cold laugh and yanked the blanket off me.

“I have something important tomorrow, too, you know? I’m about to be promoted to Vice President. The distance between us is only going to grow wider.”

“If you don’t apologize to me today, don’t blame me for being rude.”

She still thought she was getting promoted?

I laughed.

I sat up and fixed a cold stare on her.

“Ember, I’ll say this only once: if you betray me, you lose everything.”

Facing my unprecedented cold gaze, Ember actually stepped back.

But the next second, she sneered. “Killian, who do you think you are? You’re just jealous over what happened today, aren’t you?”

“You’re jealous of an intern. This is your limit in life. You’re not even worthy of me anymore.”

“But since Mateo pleaded for you, I’ll be generous. The company is going public tomorrow, the general manager will be there, and plenty of executives from other firms will attend. You’ll come with me.”

“At least you know a little about web programming. Once I’m promoted, I’ll ask around and see if anyone wants to hire you. That’s better than you sitting at home useless every day.”

By rights, I should have refused.

But since I was going to be there anyway, I agreed to go with Ember.

Seeing me comply, she assumed I had calmed down like always and smiled. She even handed me a watch, her tone softening noticeably.

In the past, she would always offer a sweet treat after a fight. That was her way. But this was the first time she had ever given me a gift.

“Killian, I bought this watch, especially for you. Don’t get jealous over anything anymore. It affects my work.”

Even though I was already utterly disappointed in her, I didn’t want any more conflict, so I accepted it casually.

That night, when Ember reached for my waist, I turned away and rejected her touch.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of her voice in the bathroom.

“Good boy, Mateo. Don’t worry, I didn’t let him touch me last night.”

“Just like you expected, the moment I mentioned introducing him to a job, he agreed right away. He has nothing better to do all day, so he acts out just to get my attention. Once I bring him to the venue, I’ll have someone humiliate him in public for you.”

“The VP position comes with a lot of power. I’ll gradually get you promoted and raise your salary, paving the way for your bright future.”

“By the way, did you take those pairs of black stockings from my office? Make sure no one sees them.”

“That’s good. I’m hanging up now. I just settled him down last night, so don’t let him overhear. Be patient. I’ll be with you every day soon.”

After hanging up and stepping out, she was startled to see I was already awake.

“Killian, w-when did you wake up? Did you hear anything?”

I replied blandly, “What exactly did you want me to hear?”

Ember’s voice turned casual. “Oh, nothing. Just a colleague reminding me to head to the venue early. I’ve got a surprise for you later.”

I said calmly, “Alright. Let’s go early.”

Perfect. I had a surprise too.

Before I could walk to the parking lot, Mateo appeared at the door.

He rolled down the window, smiling at Ember.

“Sister Ember, today’s the company’s IPO day, and your promotion to Vice President; I can’t wait.”

Then he turned to me, his gaze filled with playful amusement.

“Brother Killian, right? We met yesterday. I’ll be working closely with Sister Ember from now on, so I hope you’ll be a little more open-minded.”

Seeing me unmoved, Ember shot me a glance.

“Killian, Mateo is greeting you. You’re ten years older than him. Don’t you even have this bit of basic courtesy?”

I looked at her coldly. “I’ve always been broad-minded. You two seem so well-matched. Maybe I should step aside.”

Hearing this, Ember immediately snapped again.

“Killian, why are you being so passive-aggressive? Mateo kindly came to pick us up. Do you really have to act like this?”

I sneered. “Pick me up? No need.”

With that, I turned to get my own car, but Ember grabbed my arm.

“Alright, don’t be childish. Let’s just go together today.”

Then she pulled me into Mateo’s car without giving me a choice.

But I remembered clearly that Mateo hadn’t owned a car before.

When we arrived at the venue, everyone who saw Ember greeted her respectfully as Director.

It was as if her promotion was already set in stone.

Ember clung to Mateo’s arm, giving me a perfunctory explanation.

“Mateo’s shy. This makes him feel more secure.”

I sneered inwardly. She was so gentle with him.

When it came time to sit, Ember led Mateo to two empty seats.

“Killian, not enough seats. You can just stand over there.”

Mateo glanced at me with a mocking smile.

“Sorry about that, Brother Killian.”

A few people nearby watched with delight in their eyes.

“Director Ember, today’s the company’s IPO day. The general manager will also announce the list of promotions. The event team already leaked it. The VP position is yours!”

“Director Ember, once you’re promoted, don’t forget us loyal supporters!”

Some people even began fawning over Mateo, calling him Manager Mateo.

Ember curled her lips in pride. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of all of you.”

Just then, someone pointed at me and asked, “Director Ember, why is he here?”

Ember let out a soft laugh, completely unconcerned.

“He hasn’t accomplished anything in life. I heard many VIPs would be here today, so he just came along to try his luck.”

Hearing that, someone sneered. “Director Ember, you must be joking, him?”

“He’s ridiculous. Yesterday, he looked like a beggar, and now he’s all dressed up like he matters. Does he really think he’s somebody?”

Mateo pretended to speak up for me.

“Everyone, don’t say that. Brother Killian is still Sister Ember’s husband. How could he possibly be unemployed? Sister Ember said he’s great at cleaning toilets. Once I get promoted to manager, I’ll make sure to find a role for him.”

The group erupted in laughter.

Ember shot me a cold look.

“Killian, Mateo doesn’t hold grudges. Shouldn’t you be thanking him?”

Facing their little performance, I replied flatly, “He looks like a toilet himself.”

Hearing that, Mateo immediately pouted and whined, “Sister Ember, did you hear how he’s talking to me?”

Seeing this, Ember picked up the cup of water beside her and hurled it straight at me. It struck my head with a sharp thud.

Pain shot through my skull as cold water drenched my hair and seeped into my clothes.

“Killian, Mateo kindly offered you an opportunity, and you dare humiliate him? You’ve forgotten your place!”

“Apologize to Mateo right now, or I’ll make sure you won’t even get the chance to scrub toilets!”

Everyone watched me with mocking eyes.

Mateo wore the smug grin of a petty man savoring victory.

“Forget it, Sister Ember. Brother Killian is so old, it’s no surprise he wouldn’t lower himself to apologize to me.”

“You sold his car last night to buy me one. Just treat that as his apology.”

At those words, I turned to Ember with a cold stare.

She didn’t flinch. Instead, she sneered. “Killian, that car was in my name long ago. So it was mine to sell.”

“Besides, you offended Mateo yesterday. You should be grateful he likes the car I gave him. Otherwise, I would never forgive you.”

That BMW, though not some top-tier luxury car, had accompanied me through every struggle of building my business. It was one of the things I treasured most. Later, Ember said she wanted it, so I transferred the ownership to her name.

I never imagined she would sell it just to please Mateo.

At that moment, Mateo suddenly put on a look of feigned surprise and stared at my wrist.

“Brother Killian, why are you wearing the watch I threw away?”

“Sister Ember gave it to me, but I didn’t like it. I didn’t expect you to pick it up. So you enjoy wearing my discarded trash?”

As soon as he said that, the people around me erupted in mocking laughter.

“Wearing someone else’s trash like it’s some precious treasure, how pathetic is he?”

“He really loves being a simp. Knowing Director Ember doesn’t even care for him, yet still clinging on, he’s asking to be humiliated.”

“Some people just can’t help groveling. It’s pitiful to watch.”

At that moment, I was seething with fury. I fixed a cold, steady stare on Ember.

“Do you even remember how you got into this company? How did you climb to where you are now?”

“Oh please, spare me the bragging. Are you really going to say everything I have is thanks to you?”

Ember sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. She was just about to retort when the company’s General Manager finally walked in.

He swept his eyes across the room.

“Today is a grand occasion. Our company is going public. It’s also the day we recognize the employees who have made outstanding contributions.”

“But before that, there’s something I must share. I am not the true owner of this company. That title belongs to someone else. And today, he has chosen to return and reclaim control.”

After he spoke, he paused and looked in this direction, nodding with a faint smile.

Everyone assumed he was acknowledging Ember and began calling out excitedly, “Director Ember!”

While Ember was still basking in her smug pride, Mateo leaned close to my ear, his tone dripping with arrogance.

“Let me tell you a little secret: Sister Ember is about to divorce you. Someone like you doesn’t deserve her.”

Ember leaned even closer to him, her eyes cold as she looked straight at me.

“Killian, Mateo is right. I’ve already become someone far beyond your reach. Once I’m named Vice President, I’ll hand you the divorce papers myself.”

Then she curled her lips into a mocking smile.

“That’s the surprise I prepared for you. So? Do you like it?”

I let out a faint smile.

“What a coincidence; I have a surprise for you, too.”

With that, I rose slowly and walked toward the stage.