Chapter 6
Ethan’s expression darkened when I continued to ignore him. It had been a long time since he’d lowered himself like this-
softening his tone, putting on a show of compromise-only to be met with my silence.
But now, he didn’t dare lose his temper. Instead, he heaped my plate with all my favorite dishes and forced out a gentle
voice.
“Alright. Everyone enjoy your meal. When you’re done, head back to the office. I’ll let today’s little walkout slide”
“And I’ll cancel the pay cuts too. That work for you?”
His hand landed on my shoulder-firm, deliberate.
It said: I’ve bent enough. Now quit embarrassing me.
He was waiting for me to yield, to throw him a bone so he could save face.
But I just smiled.
Around me, my team suppressed their laughter.
Then someone, voice light but pointed, said, “Mr. Foster, didn’t you know? We’ve already turned in our resignations. You’re
not our boss anymore.”
“So yeah… maybe stopping using us to threaten her. That trick’s dead.”
Ethan froze, clearly blindsided. He must’ve thought I was bluffing earlier-just trying to rattle him. It had never crossed his
mind that we’d actually gone through with it.
Then something clicked. A cold sneer tugged at his lips.
“So you all banded together to play me?”
“There’s no way HR would approve that many resignations without running it by me first.”
“Enough games. Name your price-I’m not here to guess.”
Even now, he thought this was some power play. That I was holding him hostage with leverage.
It was laughable.
I kept eating without a word. Another teammate chuckled.
“Wow, Mr. Foster, Short-term memory loss already?”
“This morning, HR called you when we turned in our resignations. You were watching a movie with Zoey, remember? Told them to handle it and not bother you.”
“What, already forgot?”
It was like a thunderclap to Ethan’s skull.
Chapter 6
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Online Party & Chat
His eyes widened as the memory crashed back into place. Panic flashed across his face, and he frantically called HR.
“Did Jane Rivers’ team resign? You approved it?”
On the other end, HR sounded like they were about to cry. “Sir, you… you said yes.”
A curse got stuck in his throat before he exploded.
“They’re our top-performing team, and you let them walk? Are you trying to tank this company?!”
“You absolute idiot. Pack up your desk-and fire yourself while you’re at it!”
He slammed the phone down, chest heaving.
Then he turned to me, plastering on a thin, forced smile.
“Look,, this whole thing’s been a mess. My staff dropped the ball.”
As he spoke, he reached for my shoulder again, trying to play the doting act.
I leaned away, eyes cold.
“Oh, come on. Isn’t Zoey the one doing all my work now?”
“A worthless employee like me quitting should be a win for the company-one less piece of baggage, right?”
“So what are you so nervous about?”
