Chapter 2

As time passed, Tyler's ego inflated, reaching a point where he dismissed my input entirely.

Shortly thereafter, I departed the parking facility. While waiting for the gate to open, my vehicle suddenly lurched forward.

Recognizing I'd been hit from behind, I exited my car, only to find Rosalie and Tyler emerging from the vehicle behind, their fingers intertwined.

"I deeply apologize. Oh, Felix, is that you?" Tyler approached swiftly, visibly upset about his car's damaged front. "Why did you stop so abruptly?"

"What a pity, Rosalie just gifted me this car," he added.

Rosalie also gazed at me with a somber expression and spoke harshly. "Was this intentional? Did you know Tyler was behind you and deliberately halt to seek revenge?"

Her accusation nearly made me chuckle. It was always like this. She would shift all blame onto me without considering the facts.

Before I could respond, Tyler's eyes began to water.

"Rosalie, don't accuse Felix," he said. "Felix just quit because of me, it's understandable for him to be upset. After all, I'm to blame."

As he spoke, he balled his fist and struck his forehead forcefully, as if frustrated. But just before impact, he deliberately loosened his grip.

Rosalie couldn't see through this charade. Her eyes filled with worry as she gently caressed his forehead, saying affectionately, "You're not at fault. Don't shoulder everything yourself."

After this, she shot me an angry glare. Appearing increasingly agitated, she jabbed my forehead hard.

"Felix, can't you learn from Tyler and accept some responsibility?"

"He knows how to be modest. You've been employed for so long, why are you still so immature and conceited?"

I stumbled backward from her shove. After regaining my balance, I found the situation somewhat amusing.

Over the past year, Tyler had consistently stolen my accomplishments and schemed to blame me. Now suddenly he was humble and responsible, while I was childish and arrogant.

Recognizing that further discussion would be pointless, I couldn't be bothered to say more. I turned, preparing to leave.

"Hold on!" Rosalie suddenly called out.

I anticipated another scolding and defense of Tyler, but to my surprise, she pulled me aside.

She spoke earnestly. "Felix, I admit I was too harsh with you today. But it's because I have high expectations for you, that's why I'm so demanding."

Hearing her gentle words, I was momentarily confused. However, I soon understood her motives.

Rosalie smiled faintly at me and patted my shoulder. "I'll nullify your resignation. Just come to work as usual, but find an opportunity to apologize to Tyler publicly. Also, you're fully liable for this collision. I'll deduct the compensation from your wages later."

I realized what was happening. I let out a sneer and looked up at Tyler. He had likely anticipated Rosalie's words. His face was full of smugness as he winked at me provocatively.

I sneered again. "No need. Regarding responsibility for the collision, we can review the security footage. If that's insufficient, you can involve the police. I have matters to attend to, I'm leaving now!"

With that, I departed directly.

Rosalie fumed behind me: "I've already given you a chance, don't regret it!"

Regret? I won't regret it.

I returned to my car and messaged my friend. "I've resigned. I can start at your company tomorrow."

My friend called back almost instantly, his tone excited: "Are you serious?"

He sounded somewhat uncertain: "Do you want to reconsider with Rosalie?"

My friend and Rosalie had launched their businesses around the same time. Compared to Rosalie who started from scratch, my friend had more resources and could offer better benefits.

My friend urgently needed skilled technical talent, so he promised me higher shares and profits to entice me to help them. He even made an exception, offering part-time work after learning about my relationship with Rosalie.

For Rosalie's sake, I had refused without hesitation.

When I was at my lowest, nearly freezing to death in the snow, Rosalie had dragged me into a police station and saved my life.

I was deeply grateful to her, so I abandoned everything and devoted myself wholeheartedly to the business, doing all I could to help Rosalie's company grow steadily.

But now it seemed she didn't care at all. Moreover, after so many years, I had more than repaid her kindness.

I didn't need to keep compromising myself anymore.

"No need, I can make my own decisions," I replied.

After chatting with my friend a bit more and confirming the contract signing time, I drove home first to retrieve the necessary documents.

I thought Rosalie wouldn't return until late as usual. But surprisingly, she entered the living room not long after, chatting happily on the phone with Tyler.

Seeing me, her expression immediately soured. She deliberately rolled her eyes at me before pushing open the bedroom door.

I knew she was waiting for me to placate her.

Every time we had an unpleasant encounter at work, I would always find ways to apologize and beg for her forgiveness. Even when she was at fault, I would still have to swallow my pride and admit wrongdoing.

Previously, I thought this was necessary, whether to repay her kindness or maintain our relationship, I should indulge her. But now I just found it tiresome.

I focused on searching for items in the drawer.

After a while, she emerged from the room with a gloomy expression.

"Has Tyler's car been repaired? Have you fixed your car?" she asked.

I knew this was her signal of giving me a chance to make amends.

In the past, I would have assumed she had forgiven me and would have rushed to please her. But now, I didn't even look up as I replied indifferently, "It's just an old car, not worth repairing."

Rosalie frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

I looked up at her in confusion, not understanding what she was dissatisfied with now. This car had been scratched many times before. When I said I wanted to fix it, she would say the same thing I just said.

I thought she was going to get angry again, but to my surprise, she let out a sigh.

"Tyler has indeed been performing well at work lately, so I gave him a car to keep him motivated."

"You're my boyfriend, and when we marry, won't the company be yours too? Why do you have to be so petty about salary with him?"

"Felix, everything I do is for the company. I don't want other colleagues to think I'm favoring you."

Realizing she was actually trying to explain to me, I was a bit surprised. She never bothered to clarify these things to me before.

But I knew clearly that these were just excuses.

In the company, all the colleagues knew how Rosalie treated me and Tyler differently.

Projects that I had worked on for three days straight, she would suddenly hand over to Tyler on a whim. He would just create a PowerPoint presentation, and it would become Tyler's achievement.

Clients that I had negotiated with for days and were about to sign contracts, she would take Tyler to have one meal with them under my name, and the contracts would become Tyler's accomplishment.

There were countless such incidents.

Over time, other colleagues only felt that Rosalie favored Tyler more. Some even thought Rosalie didn't like me, and because of this, I endured quite a bit of side-eye and bullying in the company. She saw it but pretended not to notice.

I didn't want to explain. Anyway, even if I did, she would say I was making excuses.

"Oh," I responded indifferently. "You don't need to tell me these things. I have nothing to do with the company anymore. Do whatever you think is best."

Rosalie didn't say anything.