Without hesitation, I called a cab straight to the office and handed in my resignation.
My manager, David Norris, looked troubled. He kept trying to persuade me to stay. But once he saw I was firm, he let out a sigh.
Just then, Terence called. He asked coldly, “Are you quitting?”
I was caught off guard. “How did you know?”
The truth clicked when I saw David rubbing his forehead.
“This company belongs to your family, doesn’t it?”
I clenched my fists, and my head buzzed.
Everything I’d gone through in the company suddenly made sense.
No wonder they always assigned me the worst tasks. I never received a bonus, no matter how many big projects I completed or how often I ranked first in performance. Also, everyone looked at me with disdain and never included me in any company activities.
I’d been isolated for years, and I should’ve been used to it by now. I was honest and hardworking, just wanting a stable job. I figured I’d switch companies after I paid off my debts.
However, the thought that all of it was orchestrated by Terence chilled me to the bone. I could barely breathe.
Terence clicked his tongue when I didn’t respond.
“I know I shouldn’t have kept it from you, but you never let me help. That was why I had to pull strings behind your back. Don’t be ungrateful.”
I couldn’t hold back and confronted him.
“So everyone in the company knows I only got in because of you. Did it ever occur to you what kind of life I’ve been living here?”
He didn’t answer. That silence said everything.
“I’ll explain it to everyone in the company. It’s not a big deal.”
I stood my ground and replied, “Forget it. I’m quitting.”
Terence grew impatient. His voice rose as he snapped, “Why are you so hung up on that worthless pride of yours? If it weren’t for me, do you think you’d be living this comfortably?”
A saccharine female voice rang out in the background, asking when he’d be ready.
Terence ended the call in a hurry. “Alright, I’ll come find you later.”
The line went dead with a beep.
I didn’t care what he said. I packed up my desk and left without hesitation.
On my usual route home, a blond guy suddenly stepped out and whistled. “Hey, gorgeous, where are you headed?”
I recognized his voice. He was one of the guys mocking me before.
I gripped my bag tightly and turned to run. However, I barely got a few steps before I stopped short. There were people behind me too. I was surrounded.
Before I could react, a hand yanked my hair back hard. A leering laugh echoed above me.
“Don’t be scared. We’ll make sure you enjoy this…”
Ahead of me, a masked man stood under the dim streetlamp. The reek of alcohol coming off him made me dizzy. His hands roamed over me before locking tightly around my waist.
“Wow, you’ve got such a tiny waist.”
I fought back the urge to throw up and kicked upward with all my strength. “Get off!”
The masked man grunted and let go of my waist.
The blond guy saw me struggle and grabbed me by the throat. He shouted at the guy on the ground.
“Strip her and get pictures while you’re at it!”
The masked man recovered and slapped me hard across the face. “That’s for kicking me!”
The two of them pinned me against the wall.
By the time my clothes were ripped down to my underwear, tears had already started falling.
Suddenly, the pressure on my body vanished. A jacket was thrown over me.
After the sound of fists landing hard subsided, I heard Terence speak coldly. “Get lost!”
I sat crouched by the wall.
Terence gently pulled the jacket off my face, lowering his head as he helped me get dressed. When he finally looked up, his eyes were red.
“I’m sorry. I was too late.”
He reached out to carry me, but I shoved him away.
I braced myself against the wall and staggered to my feet, slowly walking forward.
Terence said nothing. He just followed behind me in silence.
But before long, everything went dark, and I passed out. I had no idea how much time had passed when I woke up in a daze. I heard Terence yelling at someone.
“You could’ve at least asked me before trying to rape her. She’s still my woman!”
“Come on, we only did it because she yelled at you this afternoon. Don’t tell me you actually like her now?”
Terence’s voice suddenly rose. “Are you kidding me? I hate her more than anything!”
I heard a loud punch hitting the wall.
“From now on, don’t act without my orders. Got it?”
Right after that, he walked in. I didn’t have time to shut my eyes, and we locked eyes instantly.
His face instantly went pale.
“You heard everything?”
