She Told Me to Take a Vacation,I Never Came Back

She traced her fingers along my chest as she spoke.

There was a time when that kind of teasing would have undone me completely. Now I felt nothing.

"I noticed Minnie gets whatever she wants. Her family just buys it. Today she was sitting on top of a pink piano, hugging a tablet, grinning ear to ear."

I let the sarcasm drip.

Melissa froze for a second, then exploded. She shot to her feet, brow furrowed. "Why do you always have to compare?"

"It's just a gift. What's with the passive-aggressive attitude? Are you picking a fight on purpose?"

"Is it Freddie who wants presents, or is it you?"

I said nothing. I just lifted my gaze and held hers.

The air between us went rigid.

Melissa seemed to lose her nerve. She looked away, and her tone softened considerably.

"Honey, let's not fight. The day after tomorrow is Freddie's birthday. I'll have a big surprise ready for him, I promise."

"Just keep yourself in a good mood these next couple of days and get ready for the seven-day trip to Northern Europe."

I nodded, then excused myself to the study under the pretense of work.

The next day.

At the company-wide meeting, Elwin spoke up out of nowhere. "While Dylan's on vacation these next few days, someone ought to cover his responsibilities, right?"

"I'd like to volunteer."

The corner of his mouth curved upward, his eyes locked on mine, laced with provocation.

Everyone in the room went still, then turned in unison toward Melissa, waiting for her answer.

It was only a seven-day leave. At most, Melissa or a deputy could have handled things.

No one expected Elwin to openly grab for power like that.

It was absurd.

"Do as Elwin says."

Melissa drew a deep breath and turned to me. "Dylan, just enjoy your vacation. Leave the work to Elwin. He's perfectly capable."

Dead silence.

This time every pair of eyes in the room shifted to me.

"Dylan."

"You don't actually think I'm trying to steal your position, do you?"

Elwin's smile widened, his tone even more taunting.

Everyone in that room could smell the gunpowder.

Ten years at Summers Group, and everyone knew I was decisive, ruthless when I needed to be. Not someone to be tested.

Even Melissa looked tense.

But I just smiled. "Sure. I agree."

No one expected me to give up authority that easily. Only Melissa visibly relaxed, a small smile breaking across her face.

Before she could say a word, I stood and walked out.

Melissa chased after me, catching my hand from behind.

"Honey!"

"Just listen to me—"

I turned and cut her off. "Listen to what? That this whole meeting was designed to push me out?"

Forget me. Anyone with eyes could see that Melissa was using me to pave the way for Elwin.

And it had started with the Northern Europe trip.

Her scheming ran deeper than I'd realized.

I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it before.

"Honey, let me explain."

Melissa opened her arms and pulled me into a tight embrace, her voice earnest. "Elwin is talented. He can shine here, bring fresh energy to the company."

"I had no other choice. This was the only solution I could think of."

"When you come back, I'll make you vice chairman. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."

Vice chairman?

What a joke.

Since the day Summers Group was founded, there had never been a vice chairman position.

Just like the birthday surprise she kept promising Freddie. Empty words. Nothing but pie in the sky.

"For ten years."

"I've been understanding. I've been accommodating every difficulty you've faced."

I hesitated for a few seconds before letting that slip out, quiet as a sigh.

"That's right! You're the best, honey!"

Melissa actually thought I wasn't angry anymore. She tossed out the compliment, then turned on her heel and walked back into the conference room.

I was packing up my things in the office when Elwin strolled in.