Chapter 2

The colleagues in the room stared in stunned silence.

They all knew how hard I had worked. I used to stay out until 3 AM closing deals for this company.

Without me, the company would have gone under years ago.

Julian quickly snatched the badge off the floor, unable to hide his excitement.

Chloe's face darkened, and she snapped displeasedly,

"Ethan, what is the meaning of this?"

"I gave you a little criticism, and now you're throwing a tantrum?"

I smiled faintly. "Chloe, I just handed Julian the opportunity of a lifetime. You should be thrilled."

"Isn't having your golden boy replace me exactly what you wanted?"

Clutching the badge tightly, Julian pretended to be the bigger person.

"Ethan, don't let your emotions get the better of you. You shouldn't just give up your position!"

"Chloe only did this for the sake of the company. Please don't take it personally."

"I'm just the new guy. I still need to learn from you. Why don't you take the badge back?"

He said that, but his fingers were practically white from gripping the badge so hard.

I smiled warmly and pressed the badge firmly against his chest.

"Why would I be angry? You're a Fortune 500 Sales Director. Having you here is the best thing that ever happened to this company!"

My wife glanced at me with a suspicious frown, then let out a cold snort, satisfied.

"Keep it, Julian. You have the talent. Only you can take this company to the next level."

"Since everyone is here, consider this official."

Julian thanked me repeatedly, but I could see the smug, mocking triumph in his eyes.

I laughed inwardly. All our major clients had only signed with us because of my family's reputation.

Now that I had handed my position to Julian, I was effectively no longer a part of this company.

They reservation details would be pulled immediately.

Julian was still gloating, thinking he had hit the jackpot.

Little did he know, my departure would cause the entire company to collapse overnight.

Seeing my silence, Chloe spoke to me as if she were handing down charity.

"Alright, Ethan. I'm not actually firing you."

"There's an open position in the warehouse. You can manage that. Lose the attitude."

Looking at her acting like she was doing me a favor, I nearly laughed out loud.

Julian chimed in, fake-sympathetic.

"Don't worry, Ethan. I'll take good care of you."

As Julian smiled his fake smile, several brown-nosed colleagues began cheering, raising their glasses to toast him.

Chloe praised Julian's drive and glared at me. "Ethan, go pour Julian a drink."

Julian handed me his half-empty glass.

"Ethan, don't mind that I already drank from it. We're partners now. Let's work together."

His eyes practically beamed with arrogance.

I took the glass and immediately let go, letting it shatter right at his feet. The wine soaked his expensive pants.

"Oops. My hand slipped. Are you okay?"

Julian jumped back in panic. That was his custom-tailored suit.

Stunned for a second, Chloe rushed to wipe Julian down while screaming at me,

"Ethan, are you insane?!"

"Julian was trying to help you! Are you taking your own incompetence out on him?!"

I smirked at Chloe. "Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

Chloe's face turned beet red with rage. I turned on my heel and walked out, leaving her seething.

Once I cleared the gala doors, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Dad, I'm ready. I'll take over the family business."