4
From then on, Victoria thrived like a fish in water.
Julian indulged her every whim.
Victoria never hid her dislike for me.
She deliberately transferred me to a peripheral department, where I handled insignificant chores every day.
People who used to work closely with me gradually distanced themselves.
I didn’t care about any of this; I just quietly worked, trying to earn as much as I could.
Dad’s recovery was going very well.
I planned to take him away from this city once he was discharged from the hospital.
The prerequisite was having enough money.
Victoria didn’t remain smug for long.
Julian had spoiled her, making her too self–confident and a bit too impatient for quick
results.
On an overseas project, Victoria, in her pursuit of speed, skipped the risk assessment and signed the contract directly.
As a result, Julian’s company not only had to freeze hundreds of millions in initial investment but also had to pay double the penalty for breach of contract.
When the news reached the company, the entire conference room fell silent.
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug O
<
I sighed.
I had warned Victoria to do a risk assessment.
But she had scoffed at the time, “What I choose to do is none of your business.”
That day, Julian called me into his office.
He looked at me, silent for a long time.
I had probably already guessed what he was going to say.
I smiled and spoke first, “I understand what you mean.”
He nodded.
18%
“Everyone is watching. Someone has to step up and take responsibility for this.”
I said nothing more.
Julian paused, carefully choosing his words.
“Victoria lacks experience; it’s inevitable she’d make mistakes. And you, as her
subordinate, didn’t properly advise her, which is your fault to begin with.”
“She looks strong, but she’s really just a little girl who cries a lot. If people start pointing fingers and blaming her, I’m afraid she…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but I understood.
I looked up, “Okay.”
Consider it repayment for his kindness.
Julian nodded in satisfaction, pulled a document from his drawer, and placed it in front of
- me.
“This is a statement. It specifies that you concealed risk data during the follow–up, which led to the project failure.”
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug O
<
< 1850
I hadn’t hesitated at first, but at the crucial moment, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.
Concealing risk data, what a serious charge.
If the company pursued legal action, I could go to jail.
He sighed, speaking casually.
“I won’t let you go to jail, don’t worry.”
I laughed.
My laughter echoed in the office, sounding particularly ironic.
“Alright.”
I lowered my head, signing my name with careful strokes.
As soon as I walked out of the office, I ran straight into Victoria.
Her face was a bit haggard, but her makeup was flawless.
“You shouldn’t feel like it’s unfair. If you hadn’t deliberately neglected to warn me, I
wouldn’t have made such a huge mistake.”
I ignored her, walking straight past her.
I pulled my clothes tighter. The air conditioning made me shiver.
My phone vibrated then–a call from the hospital.
“Ms. Evans, your father is doing very well. He can be discharged next week.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I stumbled into the stairwell, crouched down, covered my face, and cried, trying to muffle
the sound.
<
I submitted my resignation to the company that day.
HR was a bit surprised.
“But Mr. Harrington didn’t say he was firing you.”
“This is what he wants.”
Seeing my reply, HR didn’t say anything more.
After all, everyone knew I had “made a big mistake.”
Julian found out about my resignation a few days later.
At the time, I was at the hospital, accompanying my father.
Julian called.
“I didn’t tell you to resign.”
“This is the best solution,” I replied.
He fell silent on the other end.
After a long pause, he spoke again.
“Alright, you can lay low for a while. Once this blows over, I’ll transfer you to another position.”
“No need to trouble yourself.”
I was very polite.
Julian caught the hint of distance in my tone.
He sounded displeased.
“Are you blaming me?”
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug
<
18%
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would I blame you?”
I felt a little weak.
Everything that had happened recently had truly exhausted me.
“I owe you nothing. From now on, we’re even.”
The sun shone down, warm and comforting.
In the distance, car horns blared.
I left the hospital with my father, heading for the airport, ready to start a new life.
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