Chapter 4
Chapter 4
I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. “Why?”
Leo didn’t answer directly, only continued, “Melody will take charge of the project reports. For now, I’ll be reassigned to training new secretaries.” He looked up, signaling that I could
leave.
He was taking away my hard work with no explanation.
An intense anger surged within me. “Why?! I’ve spent over a year on this project, pouring in so much effort! Why should Melody get it just because she showed up?!”
Leo looked at me, surprised. It was the first time he had seen me so furious in our five years together. After a moment’s hesitation, he frowned and replied sternly, “I know you’re driven by ambition. The manager position will still be yours, but this project… Melody is simply a
better fit.”
His words struck me like a knife to the heart, leaving me speechless with the pain.
Leo softened his tone. “I don’t have the energy to keep up with this right now. I need to focus on resting. Besides, Melody’s family is connected with the chairman of our partner company, making her the most stable choice to lead.”
My eyes filled with tears, and my voice came out in a rush. “This project was nearly finished without her! Are you telling me there’s no bias here? You just want her to take the credit!”
“Laura!” Leo’s face hardened.
I looked at him, my eyes brimming with defiance and hurt.
“You’re being irrational,” Leo said coldly. “Even if you complete this project, I question your suitability for the manager position if you can’t separate business from emotion.” He added firmly, “This is a workplace, not a place for arguments.”
The words felt like a chokehold around my heart, making it hard to breathe. Without another word, I turned and left.
Chapter 4
As I walked away, the sense of injustice and frustration grew with every step. A year’s worth of hard work, countless late nights,
ndless meetings and dinners… only to be dismissed as ‘ambitious‘ and ‘emotional.‘
Walking further, nausea rose in my throat. Covering my mouth, I rushed to the restroom. But leaning over the sink, I found I couldn’t vomit, feeling stuck in a miserable state.
It took a while before I could straighten up, exhausted. My reflection in the mirror showed a face worn out and gaunt. Despite being pregnant, I had lost weight instead of gaining. I looked downright haggard.
I couldn’t continue like this. I needed to take care of myself for the baby’s sake. Just hold on, I told myself–once the baby is born, I’ll file for divorce…
With renewed determination, I returned to my desk. I soon saw Melody approaching with a confident stride. “Laura, Mr. Reed assigned me to handle the project handover.”
I placed the documents on the desk, my face remaining expressionless. “It’s all here. Don’t ask me about it again.”
“Thank you. You did a very thorough job,” Melody replied with an overly bright smile. I took
chest. several deep breaths to suppress the resentment brewing in my
From that day on, I consciously distanced myself from Leo. Though we lived under the same roof, we hardly exchanged more than a few words each day. The cold atmosphere lasted for a full month.
One day after work, as I waited for the elevator with Emilia, my friend glanced at her phone, surprised. “Laura, they’re saying that the Great City Company project contract was signed today and there’s a dinner celebration planned.”
My heart sank. “Really?”
I checked my phone, but there was no notification or message for me. I stared at it blankly, then let out a bitter laugh and put it away.
Emilia noticed and exclaimed in disbelief, “They didn’t invite you?” Seeing my silence, Emilia’s anger flared. “I can’t believe it. You worked tirelessly on that project for a year, and not only is someone else taking the credit, but they didn’t even invite you to the dinner..
10.8%
Chapter 4.T
Just then, the elevator chimed open.
Inside, the elevator was packed with people, with Leo and Melody at the front. Emilia’s words echoed in the crowded space: not even invited to the dinner–what a lack of
respect!”
Everyone exchanged glances, the atmosphere unbearably tense.
Melody was the first to break the silence, smiling as she spoke, “Laura, oh wait–Laura’s pregnant. Why are you still here so late?” Her concerned tone sounded genuine, but the way she casually changed how she addressed me made my face turn pale. I staggered slightly.
Leo stepped forward as if to support me..
I steadied myself, stepping back to avoid him. “Thanks for the concern, but I’ll leave you to your dinner. I’ll be going.” I turned and walked away.
Leo watched my retreating figure, his expression darkening.
That night, we exchanged no words when Leo returned home.
The next day, as I was organizing my documents, I heard a commotion outside the CEO’s office. Curious, I walked over and saw a crowd gathered around Leo and Melody, voices raised in dispute.
Standing beside Leo, I whispered, “What’s going on?”
Leo turned to me, about to answer, but was cut off by a woman at the front of the crowd, shouting angrily, “Another one? Mr. Reed, tell me, who’s in charge here–me or her?” She pointed accusingly at both me and Melody.
Leo’s anger simmered as he turned to me. “It’s her, but…”
Before he could finish, there was a loud “slap!”
A stinging slap landed across my face.
