Chapter 79
Chapter 3
I slowed to a stop.
I was still debating whether to turn around when Madeline noticed me first and let out a startled gasp,
hurriedly sitting up.
“Eleanor? What are you doing here p>
A flash of tension crossed Charles’ face. He tugged at his slightly rumpled suit, then snapped at me.
“Eleanor, who gave you permission to come in here p>
“Didn’t I tell you before? Without my approval, you’re not allowed upstairs to disturb me p>
He had said that rule before.
But the original wording was that everyone except Eleanor was forbidden from coming upstairs without
permission.
I used to think it meant I was treated specially. Now I finally understood what it really meant.
Since I was leaving anyway, I didn’t bother reacting.
“HR said you were looking for me p>
Charles snorted and strode to his desk, slamming the intercom. Less than two minutes later, HR hurried
upstairs.
“Did you tell Eleanor I wanted to see her?” he demanded coldly.
Sensing the tension, HR glanced at Charles’ icy expression, then at Madeline’s aggrieved face. She froze, panic rising, and after a long pause said weakly, “I… don’t remember p>
Charles looked like a general who had won a battle. He turned to me with a mocking sneer.
“Is this fun for you, Eleanor p>
“I thought you’d finally learned to behave. Turns out you’re just as calculating as ever. If you’re that worried
about me, why don’t you move upstairs and watch me all day p>
“Or maybe install a camera on me, so you can satisfy your curiosity p>
I was utterly speechless.
“Charles, don’t be angry,” Madeline said softly, rubbing his back. Then she turned to me. “Eleanor, don’t
misunderstand. I was just exhausted earlier and had a headache. Charles was only helping me relax so I
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could keep working p>
“We’re doing everything for the company. Please don’t overthink it p>
She spoke gently, but the smugness in her eyes screamed that she wanted me to overthink it.
I didn’t know the full story, but I was certain this was Madeline’s doing. HR was too perceptive to offend
Charles’ favorite, so once she sensed trouble, she chose silence.
Even if she told the truth, Charles wouldn’t have believed it.
I stayed quiet, but Charles’ anger hadn’t faded. “There’s no need to explain anything to her p>
“Personal matters are personal matters. This is the company, so we follow company rules p>
“Eleanor violated company regulations. Deduct all her bonus this month and cut her salary in half p>
HR blurted out, “Mr. Reed, Eleanor has already p>
She was about to mention my resignation, but Charles shot her a cold glare.
“I don’t want to hear any of her excuses. Do as I say p>
HR didn’t dare speak again and left.
I was about to go too when Charles suddenly stopped me.
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Perhaps after venting his anger, his tone softened. “Eleanor, I’m not targeting you. These are rules I set. If I don’t punish you, it’ll be hard to convince others p>
Madeline nodded in agreement. “Yes, Eleanor. Next time you’re unsure, you should ask Mr. Reed. Or you can
ask me too p>
Charles gave her an approving nod. “Madeline always puts the company first. She understands company affairs better than anyone p>
Then he glared at me again. “Unlike you. All you know is jealousy. Can’t you learn something from
Madeline p>
Learn what?
Learn how to deliberately insert herself into someone else’s relationship? How to provoke and steal credit while sabotaging others?
I scoffed but didn’t bother exposing her.
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Taking my silence as submission, Charles walked closer, straightened my perfectly neat collar, and spoke
gravely.
“I know why you’ve been acting out, and honestly, I’m disappointed in you p>
“But you have to admit, since coming back, you’ve been much more sensible. As a reward, we’ll go take wedding photos tomorrow and officially move the wedding forward p>
“Don’t get too carried away though. Marriage is just p>
“Marriage p>
I laughed softly before he could finish, brushing his hand aside.
I placed the prepared resignation letter in front of him.
“Charles Reed, we’re breaking up p>
“And I’ve resigned. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other p>
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