Chapter 4

When I woke up again, the first thing I saw was Harper’s swollen, tear-stained eyes.

"Chlo, thank God you're awake."

"The nurse said if they had been a few minutes later, the second concussion and the blood loss would have killed you. You almost never woke up. That man is an absolute monster!"

But Ethan was still her uncle. I didn't want to ruin her family relationships.

I gently patted Harper’s head and let out a long sigh.

"It’s fine. Let's just say I paid my debt for bothering him for five years."

The day I was discharged, I went straight to the office with my resignation letter.

"You're resigning?"

Ethan looked stunned when I handed him the envelope.

His eyes lingered on the white gauze wrapped around my forehead. His expression turned awkward, and he spoke in a stiff, uncomfortable tone.

"About last time... I went too far. But you were the one who started it. Look, I’ll hand the Apex Project over to your family's company as compensation. Stop throwing a tantrum."

I simply shoved the pen into his hand, my voice devoid of emotion.

"I did nothing wrong. If you don't believe me, check the cameras. I don't accept your apology."

Ethan’s face darkened at my rejection. He forced himself to say,

"I know you're upset that I promoted Veronica to be the head of your department. But I made you the deputy head. It’s not like I demoted you. But on major decisions, you still have to defer to Veronica, and you absolutely cannot bully her! Otherwise, I'll—"

I cut him off sharply, repeating my demand.

"Mr. Hayes, your company's promotions have absolutely nothing to do with a person who is resigning."

"Sign it."

Ethan, humiliated by my repeated rejections, finally snapped. His eyes turned ice-cold.

"Fine! I'll sign it! Do you really think I can't run this company without you?"

"I’ve given you enough face, Chloe, but you threw it back in my face. Once you walk out that door today, don't you dare come back crying to me. Because I will never let you back in!"

Ethan signed the paper and threw the resignation letter in my face.

I didn't care to argue. I picked it up from the floor, turned on my heel, and walked out without looking back.

Behind me, Ethan stared at my retreating back, suddenly falling into a tense silence.

The day before my flight, Harper threw me a small farewell party.

At the venue, I ran into Ethan and Veronica again. Harper gave me a helpless look, and I instantly knew Veronica must have wormed her way into the guest list.

But with so many people around, I couldn't make a scene, nor did I want Veronica to start drama.

I greeted them politely, but my coldness was obvious to everyone.

Halfway through the party, I went to the back garden to get some fresh air by the fountain.

"Why are you still throwing yourself at Ethan? Can't you see he only has eyes for me? All this drama about resigning and throwing a farewell party... do you honestly think Ethan cares?"

I was done playing nice with Veronica. I spoke with sharp venom.

"Didn't you two crash this party yourselves? I didn't invite you. If you don't like it, the door is right there. Leave!"

Veronica stomped her high heels in anger and hissed,

"You're the one who's desperate! You've been acting so cold lately, and it's making Ethan so distracted."

"You and Harper are just a pair of cheap sl"ts trying to seduce him. If it wasn't for you two, Ethan and I would have been married by now!"

A surge of hot anger rushed to my head.

She could insult me all she wanted, but Harper? Who the hell did she think she was to talk about Harper like that?

"Aren't you the cheap one? You ran away for five years when his family was struggling, and now you crawl back to beg for his money."

"Ethan is Harper’s family, and you dare call her names? You're not just cheap, you're disgusting. No wonder Ethan’s grandfather refused to let you marry into the family. He saw right through your trashy soul!"

"Slap!"

Before she could react, I delivered a clean, hard slap to her face.

Veronica never expected me to hit her.

Clutching her red, swollen cheek, she screamed in rage and lunged at me. We ended up in a full-blown physical fight.

"I said what I said! Do you think Ethan will believe you or me? You're a sl"t, and Harper is a trashy wh"re helping you hook up with her own uncle!"

I found an opening and slapped her again, drawing blood from her lip.

By the time the guests rushed to the garden, they had to pull us apart.

Ethan, without asking a single question, stepped in front of Veronica and demanded with a dark face:

"Chloe, apologize!"

I was held back by Harper, screaming in fury. "Apologize for what?! She insulted me and Harper with the most disgusting words! Am I supposed to just take it?!"

Ethan didn't hear a word I said. He looked at Veronica with pure heartbreak.

"Chloe, I said, apologize!"

"Are you deaf, or do you just refuse to see the truth? You believe every single word that comes out of her mouth! Pull the damn cameras! It will show exactly who needs to apologize!"

Ethan’s eyes turned murderous as he repeated,

"Yes. If Veronica says it, I believe it."

"Chloe, I am giving you one last chance. Apologize!"

I was so angry I felt dizzy. I broke free from Harper’s grip, ready to scream at him.

"No! Veronica was the one who—"

"Slap!"

A massive force sent me stumbling back. I clutched my burning cheek, staring at Ethan in absolute shock.

He had just slapped me in front of everyone.

The entire crowd gasped. The looks thrown at me were filled with gossip, disgust, and even malicious satisfaction.

Ethan pulled Veronica into his arms and barked at me,

"That was just a lesson."

"If you're still not satisfied, I will check the cameras myself later!"

With that, Ethan led Veronica away, leaving the party.

Harper was so furious she wanted to chase them down, but I grabbed her arm. There was no point. Right now, Ethan was completely blind to everything except Veronica.

I quietly held my swollen cheek and left the party.

The next morning at the airport gate, Harper’s eyes were red as she hugged me goodbye.

"Go to London and focus on your studies, Chlo. I promise I will clear your name today!"

I smiled softly. "It’s fine. It doesn't matter anymore."

Ethan’s slap didn't just shatter my dignity; it completely killed any lingering feelings I had for him. To the current me, the truth didn't matter.

The man named Ethan Hayes, along with my love for him, had completely vanished from my heart.

I just wanted to leave this toxic place behind.

Meanwhile, Ethan, who hadn't slept a wink all night, finally pulled the security footage in the morning.

As he watched the screen, his face turned pale, and his eyes filled with absolute horror.

He listened to the "sweet, gentle" Veronica on screen, her face twisted in malice as she screamed "sl"t" and "wh"re." His hands began to shake violently. Ethan suddenly realized he had made a horrific, irreversible mistake.

A wave of intense panic washed over him. His hands trembled so much he could barely hold his phone.

He tried to call my number, only to realize he had been blocked.

He hurriedly dialed Harper’s number.

"Harper... I think I misunderstood Chloe."