Chapter 5

"I know your abilities and I'm well aware of your situation. Ah—the boss really screwed you over this time! Don't worry, I'll make sure you get the double severance pay. If you join a new company later, I'll help with your background check."

I smiled and squeezed her hand, warm just like in the old days.

Back at my desk, those two troublemakers were still hanging around!

I knew they were waiting to see me embarrassed and dejected.

But I wasn't about to give them that satisfaction.

I pulled out the resignation letter I had prepared in advance and said with feigned regret:

"Damn, I was all set to quit. What a shame the company beat me to it with this layoff. The severance package isn't bad though, enough for me to take it easy for a while."

Karen stared at the resignation letter in my hand, biting her lip as if trying to convince herself.

"Hmph, you're out of here anyway. Without you in the way, I can finally work smoothly and be happy with my darling Chad!"

I packed up my things and got my termination papers. As for the handover, Karen and her cohorts had been sidelining me these past few days, so I had almost nothing left to transition.

Still, I went through the motions to avoid any criticism later.

After wrapping things up in half an hour, I walked out of the office with my box of belongings.Karen and Chad followed me all the way, as if afraid I might still try to linger in the company.

"Alright, no need to see me off. I know you'll miss me, and you might not get a chance to see me again. So here's wishing you two—bitch and dog—a long and happy life together."

"Hah, Sarah, you're the one being kicked out! You're nothing but a stray dog now, barking uselessly. We'll let it slide this time."

Karen laughed so hard she nearly fell over, even leaning on Chad for support.

Chad held her gently, but his words to me were full of mockery.

"You probably won't be able to catch a cab at this hour. Why don't you think about how you'll take the subway back to your rented dump? I could drive you, if you'd get on your knees and apologize to Karen. I suppose I could force myself to—"

Before he could finish, a Maybach pulled up right in front of me.

My bestie Skylar rolled down the passenger window and waved at me.

"Hurry up and get in! I've been waiting for you forever."

I smiled and nodded, then turned back to Chad and Karen with a polite gesture of thanks.

"No need to trouble yourselves with seeing me off after all.""Chad, while we're on the topic, that second-hand Otto of yours really needs an upgrade. It's hardly fitting for the nephew-in-law of the boss. And you might want to rethink your habit of gifting moissanite. Karen's practically a debutante - how could you possibly think it's okay to give her an artificial diamond?"

"Moissanite? You bought me a fake?"

Karen's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the diamond ring on her finger.

Chad's attention was completely fixed on the luxury car, completely missing the mockery in my words and the change in Karen's expression.

He unconsciously let go of Karen's waist and took two steps forward.

"Sarah, is this your friend? You never mentioned having such a wealthy acquaintance!"

He scrutinized Skylar carefully, intentionally lowering his voice by a few octaves.

"Hello, I'm Chad. I'm Sarah's..."

He choked on his words, suddenly remembering that he had broken up with me and just started a relationship with Karen.

Chad stole a glance at Karen beside him, then kept comparing her to Skylar.

He actually thought he could cozy up to Skylar - the audacity of this guy!Skylar sized up Chad and Karen, then let out a cold snort.

"So this is your ex-boyfriend who's into orthopedics? His eyes are a bit wandering! And that ugly duckling next to him is quite an eyesore too."

Karen was displeased and was about to shriek insults when the driver's door swung open.

Dashiell stepped out in a bespoke suit that made him look even more dashing.

His handsome face was as cold as ice, his noble aura instantly silencing Karen.

"Dashiell..." I exclaimed in surprise.

Dashiell nodded at me, then swept his gaze over the trashy couple.