Chapter 2

Louisa paused mid-step without turning around, not wanting to witness that nauseating scene.

Beside them, Vivian grew annoyed seeing him focused only on Louisa. She pouted childishly, "George, didn't you say I could represent your company at the Taylor Group signing this afternoon? I came early specifically to familiarize myself with your project. Aren't you even a little touched?"

Then she rudely ordered Louisa, "Ms. Forbes, go get the project documents and contracts."

Louisa's expression instantly turned ice-cold.

Completely ignoring Vivian, she looked directly at George, her eyes devoid of warmth. "You're giving my project to her?"

Didn't he know how much she had sacrificed for this project?

A month ago, when George wanted to secure the Taylor Group's AI project, the entire marketing department had mobilized but failed.

Eventually, they had come begging to her for help.

She had taken on the challenge without hesitation.

To secure the deal, she had drunk until her stomach bled.

When the Taylor Group CEO's mother fell ill and was hospitalized, Louisa had stayed at the hospital for thirteen straight days, providing care until she finally secured the project.

And now he was just handing it over to his little lover?

She might be willing to let him go, but the career she'd built with her own hands—that was something she couldn't easily part with.

George's expression darkened, but instead of answering immediately, he turned to Vivian. "Wait outside."

"Why should I? You're the CEO of The Capulet Group—since when do you explain yourself to a secretary?" she complained.

"I said wait outside." His voice deepened, carrying an edge of frost.

Feeling intimidated, Vivian didn't dare argue further. She shot Louisa a venomous glare before leaving.

Only George and Louisa remained in the office.

He closed the door, walked to her side, and spoke in a serious tone, "Don't misunderstand. There's nothing between Vivian and me. She's the Price family heiress, and I have a project with her brother Caden Price, so we've inevitably been spending time together lately."

Cheating was one thing, but hiding behind business pretenses made it even worse.

Did he really think he was hiding it well?

Louisa laughed coldly, looking up at him. "If you're collaborating with the Price Group, you only need to deal with Caden... unless you're saying he won't work with you unless you entertain his sister?"

George's briefly softened tone instantly hardened again. "Louisa, I'm trying to explain. Do you have to be so sarcastic?"

Louisa was silent for a moment, then nodded with a calm voice, "Fine, let's set that aside for now. But giving away the project I worked so hard to secure—what's that about?"

George replied, "I'm not giving it to her. Her brother wants her to gain some experience, and the Taylor Group project is already a done deal—all that's left is signing. I'm letting her handle the signing as a courtesy to Caden. You'll still get the bonus. Can't you just do this once for The Capulet Group—for us?"

He stepped closer, apparently intending to embrace her as he usually would.

Louisa coldly moved away. She had planned to get through this month peacefully before they parted ways.

But now...

She nodded, her tone returning to its characteristic coldness. "Sure, I can let her have this one, or maybe even more."

"What are you saying?"

"Divorce. I'll let her have my husband too."

This was better—she wouldn't even have to pretend for the final month.

Unexpectedly, George's face turned completely cold as he stared at her intently. "Don't even think about it. Divorce is not an option for us."

His tone was resolute, without hesitation.

Louisa suddenly laughed, a cold sound. Did he want a compliant wife at home while he entertained his mistress outside?

Hearing that laugh, George's expression darkened further.

But seeing she didn't mention divorce again, he assumed she was just throwing a tantrum. He softened his approach, ready to appease her.

She suddenly said, "I quit."

The words came without hesitation.

George frowned. He had suggested before that she resign and become a full-time housewife, but she had always refused.

She had preferred juggling both work and home rather than quitting.

Eventually, he had stopped bringing it up.

Now she was talking about resigning at this critical moment?

"Just because of Vivian?" His tone carried a hint of impatience. "Louisa, you're not the type to make unreasonable demands. Stop talking about resigning. Once I get through this busy period, I'll take you on vacation. Didn't you always want to go to Snowlandia? We can go in a few days, okay?"

Louisa looked at him, hearing his impatient tone, and suddenly wanted to laugh. A man's heart could change so quickly.

Without another word, she turned and left his office.

By two in the afternoon, she heard that Vivian had gone alone to the Taylor Group with the project contracts.

George had planned to go with her but had to cancel due to a last-minute issue.

Louisa didn't concern herself with it anymore. After all, if she was letting go of George himself, what did one project matter?

With a steeled heart, she let it go.

She packed up her things and left before the workday ended.

She drove aimlessly through the streets, watching passersby, feeling strangely empty inside with nowhere to go.

Finally, she went to her good friend Sadie Watson's place.

Sadie was a lawyer. She had helped Louisa draft her divorce agreement.

Now, hearing about Louisa's plan to resign, Sadie enthusiastically approved, "If you ask me, you should have quit that job ages ago. Do you know who you are? A business school prodigy, a commercial genius!

"If you hadn't made that spectacular presentation at that world-famous summit, securing the project every corporation was fighting for, would The Capulet Group have gone public in just a few years and reached the industry's pinnacle?

"And now he's burning bridges? Clipping your wings? Making a business genius stay home to wash his clothes and cook his meals? Has his brain been waterlogged or kicked by a mule?"