“Sure. But this will be the last thing I handle within my responsibilities.”

He knew exactly what I meant.

Approve my resignation, and I’d solve the problem.

Refuse, and there was nothing to discuss.

“Fine. Lily, you’re really something.”

He agreed through gritted teeth.

Once I got his answer, I turned and walked toward the tech department.

The issue at Apex Technology was complicated. A mistake in the underlying code had triggered a crash in the chain system.

The engineers were already overwhelmed. When they saw me walk in, their eyes held a mix of expectation and embarrassment.

I didn’t respond to any of it.

I sat down and connected to the system.

Memories of every system upgrade and custom request Apex had gone through, buried deep in my mind, surged forward instantly.

An hour later, the alarms stopped, and the data was restored.

Mr. Johnson’s call came directly to my phone.

“Lily, thank you! I knew you’d handle it!”

His tone sounded relieved, then he lowered his voice.

“I heard about what happened yesterday. I can’t believe Daniel actually hit you. That guy’s unbelievable.

“By the way, my orders here and a few contracts from friends of mine are tied to you. Wherever you are, that’s where the orders go.

“If you ever need it, there will always be a place for you here.”

“Thank you, Mr. Johnson,” I said sincerely.

All the effort from these years had brought more than scars. However, it had also earned the recognition of people who truly understood value.

When I returned to Daniel’s office, he was listening to the tech department’s report with a dark expression.

The problem was solved, yet he looked anything but relieved.

I placed the resignation letter on his desk again.

“Mr. Aster, please sign it.”

Daniel looked at the resignation letter, then at me.

“Lily, you should understand something. The only reason you were able to secure those contracts is because of the company’s platform. Once you leave, your future prospects will be pretty bleak.”

“What are you trying to say?” I asked directly.

Perhaps my handling of the issue just now had reminded him that I was still useful.

He studied my expression and said, “Don’t you just want a raise?

“That can be arranged. Stay with the company, and I’ll increase your salary by… five hundred.”

He held up five fingers as if he were making a huge concession.

Five hundred…

I let out a cold laugh.

“Just sign it. Don’t waste my time.”

“You—”

His face turned red with anger. No one in the company had ever challenged him like that before.

In the end, he grabbed a pen, signed his name on the resignation letter with force, and almost slammed it back at me.

“Get out!”

He forced the word out between his teeth.

“Lily, remember this. Once you leave this company, you’re nothing!

“And when you want to come back, you’ll have to kneel and beg me!”

I ignored him and carefully put away the signed resignation letter.

That very afternoon, I went to my new company to complete my onboarding.

My monthly salary was sixty thousand as project director.

Outside my office window stretched a wide river view.

I took a photo of my new ID badge and the view outside the window, then posted it to my social media with just four words.

[New job. New beginning.]

Within minutes, likes and comments poured in.

Along with welcomes from new colleagues, there were many familiar client profile pictures.

Apex’s Mr. Johnson commented: [Congratulations, Director Frasier! A new beginning and even greater success ahead! Looking forward to continuing our partnership!]

Ms. Moore from Orca said, [Lily, you’re amazing! We’re waiting for your side to finalize the new contract!]

Mr. Taylor at Witop wrote, [Director Frasier, are you available tomorrow to discuss next year’s strategic partnership?]

One comment after another appeared, like silent announcements.

I was about to put my phone down when a number suddenly flashed across the screen and began vibrating wildly.

It was a number I hadn’t saved, yet knew by heart—Daniel.

“Lily, what did you do?

“Why?! Why have they all pulled out?!”