I Made Them Rich, Then They Fired Me

"If anything needs to be thrown out, it's you!"

My voice came out firm, even if slightly muffled. "Stefan, take this woman and get out!"

"You brought your mistress into the office and openly flirted with her in front of everyone. Do you really think I’m the kind of woman who would tolerate that?"

"This isn’t just you breaking off the engagement—it’s mutual!"

Stefan’s expression turned stormy, his voice cold. "This is our wedding apartment. You’re throwing me out?"

I met his gaze without a trace of emotion. "This is my family’s apartment. So take your little assistant and leave. Now."

However, Alicia was not about to slink away quietly. She let out a sharp snort, her face twisted in smug defiance. "You dare throw me out? Do you even know who you’re messing with?"

Crossing her arms and lifting her chin, she declared, "I’m backed by someone powerful in the investment world. If you get on your knees and apologize now, I might even be generous enough to speak on your behalf."

Stefan’s frown deepened and his voice turned stern. "Did you hear that, Caitlyn Sinclair? Apologize to Alicia—right now. The company still depends on her."

I did not hesitate. I slammed the door shut in their faces.

"I don’t care who back you up," I called through the door. "And the company? That has nothing to do with me."

Alicia’s shriek of rage was muffled by the heavy door.

Finally, silence returned to the room. But the food I had prepared had already been tainted by their presence.

I had lost my appetite. Grabbing my bag, I headed out for dinner instead.

While waiting for my food, I checked my phone and saw a new message from Stefan on WhatsApp.

[Caitlyn, I’m warning you—if you don’t apologize to Alicia in public, our engagement is over.]

I rolled my eyes and blocked him immediately.

I had not had time to leave the company group chat yet, but by morning, gossip was spreading like wildfire. Someone claimed to have seen Stefan and Alicia stepping out of the same car that morning, still wearing the same clothes as the day before.

Another coworker chimed in, saying the two of them had been spotted entering a hotel. Alicia and her friends had apparently been waiting by the roadside and someone had snapped a photo.

The truth was undeniable.

I exited the group chat on the spot and went straight to the Aldrich Group.

I did not want to see another word about them.

Hayden had already set up an office for me, but he still looked slightly surprised when I walked in. "You’re really here? I half expected I’d prep everything and you wouldn’t show."

I handed him two signed contracts. "The annual industry evaluation is coming up. Whether you come out on top this year is in your hands now."

His eyes lit up with ambition. "Don’t worry. With you on board, we’ll definitely beat the Hawthorne Group this year."

I had three years of experience and a solid client base to show for it. That afternoon, I secured another contract.

But just as I was stepping out of the meeting room, I saw Stefan holding Alicia close, whispering something in her ear.

As soon as he noticed me, he pulled away from her and rushed over.

"Don’t take what they said in the office group chat too seriously," he said, trying to sound casual. "Alicia’s apartment had a water leak. As her boss, I just offered her a place to stay."

Really?

Anyone with a functioning brain could tell they had spent the night together.

I said nothing and turned to leave.

He followed behind, still trying to make excuses. "Caitlyn, I know you want to come back. Alicia drafted a project proposal. If you help her land this deal, you can have your position back."

I let out a sharp laugh. "You’re dreaming. I wouldn’t help her even if my job depended on it."

He sighed, putting on a self-righteous tone that made my skin crawl. "She just graduated, Caitlyn. She doesn’t have experience handling clients. If you help her win this one, consider it your way of making up for yesterday’s… behavior."

"Don’t be so stubborn. If you land the deal, your job is yours again—and we’ll continue with the engagement."

Was this man even hearing himself? We were clearly speaking two entirely different languages.

Without another word, I brushed past him and walked away.