chapter 4

Not long after Sean and Ella left, I picked up my bag and headed to the company too.

As soon as I arrived, my leader called me into his office.

With a helpless look, he pushed an assessment report across the desk to me.

"Jane, I’m really sorry. I truly did my best. I’d thought for sure that this position would be yours after I left, but I didn’t expect the higher-ups to veto my recommendation outright."

Looking at the department manager’s guilty expression, I calmly took out my resignation letter.

"Mr. Raymond, it’s okay. I’ve already decided to resign."

Ryan Raymond looked at me in surprise. "You’re really quitting? You’ve worked diligently here for ten years, solved so many troubles for the company, and now you’re leaving?"

A bitter smile appeared on my lips.

But it was precisely because I’d worked diligently here for ten years without getting anything I wanted that I needed to leave.

Sean had once made me a promise: as soon as I got promoted to Operations Manager, he’d take me home to meet his family, and we’d get married.

I’d believed his promise.

I’d worked endless overtime, strived to achieve results.

But no matter how hard I tried—even when I was top in sales, top in assessments, even as the Operations Manager position changed hands again and again—it was never me.

I’d argued with Sean about it countless times, but each time he’d just looked at me coldly.

"Jane, if you can’t get this position, it means you’re not capable enough. You should reflect on where you need to improve, not come to me throwing a fit and trying to get special treatment."

That was the first time I’d felt my heart go cold.

Because besides wanting to marry Sean, I also desperately wanted to be recognized for my hard work.

Maybe the pain in my chest was too intense, because I couldn’t hold back the tears in my eyes.

Afraid of showing my weakness in front of Ryan, I quickly stood up. "Sorry, Mr. Raymond, I need to go to the restroom for a minute."