Chapter 6

{Diana POV}

Robert didn't take the pen. He stared at my face, at the smile I'd plastered on.

He probably couldn't understand how I could be so calm.

Was I really not angry?

Frustration bubbled up inside him. He suppressed his irritation and turned to Cleo.

"Leave."

"Yes!"

Cleo bit her lip, looking hurt, and turned to go.

I stopped her. "Ms. Green, no need to feel wronged. I'm just here to get a signature. It won't take long. Please wait."

I helpfully flipped the documents to the signature page.

"Sign here, Mr. Hamilton. Please hurry."

Robert still didn't move. He stared at me and asked in a low voice, "You're angry, aren't you?"

"Sign first. It's urgent."

Robert was agitated. He didn't bother reading the documents. He scrawled his signature quickly.

He threw the pen down. "Happy now? Cleo, leave!"

"Yes!"

Cleo scurried out.

I gathered the documents and turned to leave.

Robert blocked my path.

"Diana, you're still angry, aren't you? I already explained. Cleo was recommended by our partner. This project is important. Can't you try to understand?"

This. This was what a man looked like when he'd stopped loving you. Even his attempts to placate you were laced with impatience. And somehow, you were the one being unreasonable.

I found it laughable. How had I refused to see it before? Robert had stopped loving me a long time ago.

I nodded calmly. "Oh, so she's that important. So important the project can't function without her. Important enough for Mr. Hamilton to personally apologize on her behalf."

"Diana, do you have to be this difficult?"

Robert was furious.

He was certain I couldn't let him go. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to the office. He'd given me an out. He'd been willing to humble himself. Why was I still pushing?

His patience ran out. His tone turned sharp.

"I told you. Cleo was personally cultivated by the partner. I can't disrespect them. Besides, men in high positions have to play along sometimes. It's normal. I promise you, no one will ever take your place as Mrs. Hamilton. How long are you going to keep this up? Don't you think your jealousy is repulsive?"

The last sentence landed like a slap.

The office went silent.

The smile finally slipped off my face. I repeated quietly, "I'm repulsive? My jealousy is repulsive?"

Robert realized what he'd said. Panic flashed across his face.

He immediately pulled me into his arms, scrambling to explain.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. You pushed me too far. Let's stop fighting, okay? I know you can't let me go. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come to the office today. Just behave. Stop picking on Cleo. We'll get married in a month like we planned. Okay?"

I said nothing. I pushed him away calmly. The coldness in my eyes startled him.

He opened his mouth to say more.

I laughed.

It was a laugh as cold as ice.

"Robert, who gave you the idea that I care about being Mrs. Hamilton?"

Was he really that full of himself?

If I'd cared about status, why would I have given up everything to build a business with him from nothing?

I didn't want to argue anymore. I turned and left without looking back.

Behind me, I heard the crash of an ashtray hitting the wall.

When I stepped outside, I saw the faces watching me.

Everyone except Cleo looked worried. She couldn't hide her smugness.

I gave them a faint smile.

When I looked at Cleo, my gaze turned to ice.

"Mr. Hamilton's upset. Perfect opportunity for you to take over. Hurry up and go comfort him."

"Ms. York, you've misunderstood—"

Cleo tried to look hurt.

I didn't wait to hear the rest. I walked away.

Back in my office, I collapsed into my chair, every ounce of strength drained from my body.

I pulled out the two signed documents.

One was an unimportant project contract.

The other was the share transfer consent form.

I'd successfully tricked Robert into signing it.

That's right. Everything today had been part of my plan.

I'd deliberately humiliated Cleo in public, knowing she'd run crying to Robert.

Then I'd taken advantage of Robert's agitation and lack of focus to slip the consent form in with the other document.

I'd lost a necklace in the process.

Whatever. It was gone. I didn't care.

I'd gotten what I needed.

There was no reason to stay here anymore.

I grabbed a cardboard box and started packing my personal belongings.

Megan stood nearby, hesitant. "Ms. York, are you leaving?"

"Yes."

"Will you come back?"

"Come back for what?"

I glanced at her.

Megan didn't answer.

I turned and saw her eyes were red.

I smiled and reassured her. "Silly girl. I'm just leaving the company. I'm not disappearing. Why are you crying?"

"I'm coming with you."

Megan didn't hesitate.

My heart warmed.

She continued, "Most of us started as clueless interns. We learned everything from you. Now that you're leaving, I know a lot of people would follow you."

I hugged her gently. "I know. Do your job. Don't overthink it."

Finally, I walked out of the company under the watchful eyes of every employee.

I looked back at the building one last time. I'd spent my entire youth building this empire. Leaving like this felt pathetic.