After signing the multi-billion dollar contract with Robertson Corp., our company held a celebration dinner. When a roast chicken was served, Chloe Belle’s assistant, Ethan Calderon, deliberately cut out the fatty, greasy piece of the roast chicken and put it on my plate: “You’re just a lazy, good-for-nothing freeloader.” “All you do is hide in your office, enjoying the AC and sipping coffee, while we do all the hard work and accomplishments.” “This chicken tail is perfect for you, isn’t it?” “After you’re done, go clean out your office. Miss Belle says she needs that spot for someone more capable.” I turned to Chloe Belle, her eyes offered only silent confirmation. I chuckled, then casually picked up the chicken tail and stuffed it into Ethan Calderon’s mouth. Immediately, I pulled out my phone and made a call: “Get the contract back. I’m canceling our partnership with Belle Corp.” I helped Chloe Belle grow her small company into the large corporation it is today. I worried she might get bullied by competitors when I wasn't always by her side, so even though Belle Corp. wasn’t quite qualified to partner with Robertson Corp., I agreed to it for her protection. But she didn't know I was the actual head of Robertson Corp. I planned to tell her on her birthday. Who would have thought that after the contract was signed, every time I tried to order a dish, her assistant, Ethan Calderon, would say it was too expensive. The third time, I looked up at him, annoyed: “Ethan Calderon, what exactly do you mean by that?” The air crackled with unspoken tension. “Are you out of your mind? Can’t you see?” He shook his head and chuckled, meeting my gaze. “Certain people deserve certain things. And the dishes you ordered? You don’t deserve them.” Just then, a waiter brought a roast chicken to the table and said to Ethan Calderon: “Sir, all your dishes have been served.” He picked up a fork and reached for the roast chicken, cut off the chicken tail, and placed it on my plate. “James, you’re just a lazy, good-for-nothing freeloader.” “All you do is hide in your office, enjoying the AC and sipping coffee, while we do all the hard work and accomplishments.” “You think a good-for-nothing like you deserves to eat well?” “Here. Eat up! The chicken tail is plenty greasy; it’s perfect for you.” “Oh, and by the way.” “After you’re done, remember to hurry back and clean out your office. Miss Belle said she needs that spot for someone more capable.” I looked at the chicken tail on my plate, but I didn't get angry. Everyone watched, tense and fearful, as if a battle was about to erupt between us. I turned to Chloe Belle. She was wearing a tight professional dress today, accentuating her devilish figure. But she was sitting so close to Ethan Calderon, they looked like a couple no matter how you sliced it. Everyone exchanged glances, not daring to breathe. Everyone knew Chloe and I were married, but her excessive intimacy with Ethan Calderon truly humiliated me in public. “Chloe…” “It’s Miss Belle!” “At this company, no one is allowed to pull strings or try to cozy up to me, and that includes you. You must call me Miss Belle.” Her voice was loud, every word reaching everyone’s ears. “Miss Belle!” My voice turned several degrees colder. “Is what Ethan Calderon said true?” She didn't answer me directly; her gaze was dismissive. Her silent confirmation only fueled Ethan Calderon’s arrogance. He slammed the table and stood up: “Since you know Miss Belle’s stance, why aren’t you hurrying back to clean out your office…” “You’re really annoying!” I picked up the chicken tail with my hand and shoved it directly into his mouth.
I ignored the gasps from the entire room, even Chloe Belle’s cold stare. I picked up a napkin from in front of me, wiped my hand, and smirked. “Is the chicken tail tasty?” I tossed the napkin onto the floor, my anger flaring. “James, you’ve gone too far.” “How dare you publicly force such a dirty thing into Ethan Calderon’s mouth?” “Ugh!” Ethan Calderon bent over, gagging and then ran towards the restroom. But before he ran off, he shot me a fierce glare, as if to say he’d settle the score later. I sat back down, shedding my usual approachable demeanor. My cold gaze stunned Chloe Belle for a few seconds. “How have I gone too far?” “Isn’t this chicken tail the exquisite delicacy Ethan Calderon had delivered? If I eat it, it’s normal, but if Ethan Calderon eats it, it’s a crime? Chloe, you really have double standards!” Ethan Calderon’s retching could still be heard from the restroom, and Chloe Belle was again left speechless by my retort. “James, I’ll deal with you later.” She rushed into the restroom, in a posture of a wife most concerned for her husband, to wipe Ethan Calderon’s mouth, wash his face, and straighten his tie. They were so close, their noses almost touching. Ethan Calderon deliberately stumbled, falling right on top of Chloe Belle. “Miss Belle, are you alright?” “I’m fine, you caught my waist, didn’t you?” “My waist? Oh! I forgot, you were so wild on top of me last night…” He said it loudly, making sure I could hear every word. He didn’t finish the rest of his sentence, letting clever people guess what he meant. My hand clenched into a fist, but I released it two seconds later. I pulled out my phone and made a call: “Get the contract back. I’m canceling our partnership with Belle Corp.” I had done so much for her, yet she repaid me with infidelity and by trying to force me out. If I let that good-for-nothing Ethan Calderon walk all over me, I wouldn’t be James. Chloe Belle and Ethan Calderon walked out, clinging to each other, just as they heard me speak. Ethan Calderon scoffed at me on the spot, his face full of disdain. “James, you think you’re the boss of Robertson Corp.?” “What makes you think you can cancel the partnership with Belle Corp.?” Everyone else also gave me doubtful glances; they wouldn’t believe me. I leaned back in my chair, watching Ethan Calderon with the most languid posture. He wasn’t to be outdone, looking down at me condescendingly. “Because I am the head of Robertson Corp.!” The private room went silent for a few seconds, then erupted in laughter. “You say you’re the head of Robertson Corp.?” “Ha! Since when?” “If you’re so awesome, why are you working at Belle Corp.?” “Are you out of your mind, or do you just think we're playing us for fools?” One sentence ignited the anger of all the senior executives. They hadn’t spoken earlier because they respected my marital relationship with Chloe. Now, seeing that Chloe was clearly siding with Ethan Calderon, they knew currying favor with him would be beneficial. “I didn’t treat anyone like a fool!” “Those were your words.” “Wait ten more minutes; you’ll know when the Robertson Corp. representatives return.” “Enough, stop spouting nonsense here.” “There’s no place for you at this meal. Stand up and go back to clean out your things immediately so Ethan Calderon can sit there.” “After all, he brought us closer to the Robertson Corp. partnership, so he absolutely deserves the Vice President position.” Ethan Calderon helped Belle Corp. partner with Robertson Corp.? I turned my head and looked coldly at Ethan Calderon. He looked back at me with immense pride. “Who else if not me?” “I know you’re probably unhappy about giving up your position.” “How about this, we’ll decide by vote.”
Chloe Belle looked at Ethan Calderon with an admiring gaze. “James, did you see that? That’s what a truly intelligent person says!” “Unlike you, all talk and no action, just making a fool of yourself.” I didn’t speak, waiting to see how Belle Corp.’s people would react. Chloe Belle shifted her gaze to everyone else, her voice carrying an undeniable authority. “You all heard what was said, didn’t you?” “So I’ll get straight to the point.” “Do you support Ethan Calderon as Vice President? Or James as Vice President? Let’s decide by a show of hands.” “Now, those who support Ethan Calderon as Vice President, please raise your hands!” Everyone saw that Chloe Belle highly valued her assistant; who would dare to defy her and not raise their hand? Everyone in the room, except me, raised their hands in approval. Ethan Calderon smirked, very pleased with the scene before him. Chloe Belle curled her lips into a smile, nodding with equal satisfaction. I instantly understood; she was humiliating me in public. “Those who support James remaining as Vice President, please raise your hands!” Everyone exchanged glances; no one raised a hand. Ethan Calderon scoffed and raised his hand, and even Chloe Belle looked a bit bewildered. Only I knew why he raised his hand. “Oh, my! How can you treat our current Vice President this way?” “At least one person could raise their hand so James wouldn't lose face completely, right?” My confusion vanished, and his mockery grew stronger. “I’m such a considerate person; seeing James so pathetic, I just had to raise my hand.” “Oh, James! Don’t be sad, I’ll hold onto that position for you really well.” He looked at me with a fake smile. I didn't get angry; I just lightly tapped the table. “Chloe, it’s not that I underestimate your abilities.” “Belle Corp. is a legitimate company, after all. You’re dismissing a Vice President by letting a bunch of nobodies make the decision? Without the shareholders’ input?” I was going to leave, but not by being casually dismissed by this bunch of worthless people. Honestly, without me, Belle Corp. would probably be close to bankruptcy. “James, are you looking down on us?” Someone slammed the table and stood up, starting to openly oppose me, seeing I was at a disadvantage. “Exactly! We are senior executives of Belle Corp. Don’t we have the right to vote?” I pulled out my phone, sent a message, and then stood up. “Yes!” “Simply put, to fire me, you need the support of the board of directors.” Seeing me about to leave, Ethan Calderon called out, smiling. “Wait!” “Didn’t you say Robertson Corp. representatives would bring a contract to cancel the deal?” “What, can’t keep up the act anymore?” “See! That’s the kind of competence our Vice President uses to help Belle Corp. thrive.” “Laugh all you want!” “Anyway, everyone gets arrogant when they’re in power.” “The partnership between Robertson Corp. and Belle Corp. depends on tomorrow’s board meeting.” If they want to dig their own grave, I won't stop them. After my figure disappeared through the door, everyone stopped laughing. My departure didn't cause a ripple; instead, they continued ordering food and occasionally mocked me for entertainment. Back home, I washed away the day’s fatigue. Holding a bottle of red wine in one hand and a glass in the other, I lay on the single sofa on the balcony, poured myself a glass, and slowly savored it. Just then, my phone vibrated.
I glanced at the caller ID, and knowing it was Ethan Calderon, I didn't answer. He seemed to enjoy it endlessly, calling again and again. I'm not one to lose my temper easily, so I let him call as much as he wanted. Until, getting bored, he sent me a video and a voice message. It showed him in Chloe Belle’s bed, hugging and kissing her wildly, engaging in intimate acts. He thought provoking me would make me furious. Instead, I immediately downloaded their video and sent it to everyone in the company. I thought my heart would feel a little sad, but surprisingly, it didn't. The next day, when I returned to the company, everyone gave me strange looks. “Did you all get it last night?” “Mr. James actually sent me an intimate video of Miss Belle and Assistant Ethan Calderon in bed!” “You got it too? Holy hell, I got it too!” “Me too…” “How did everyone get it? What’s Mr. James playing at?” “His fiancée getting intimate with another man, and he’s not angry? He even has the energy to send that kind of video to all the employees.” “Quiet down, Miss Belle is coming.” As soon as the words fell, Chloe Belle, clicking in high heels, strode towards me. When she got close, she raised her hand, ready to slap me. I caught her hand: “Still so angry first thing in the morning?” “Are you not man enough for Chloe? Is that why you couldn't satisfy her?” Ethan Calderon’s face instantly flushed red; it seemed my counterattack had made him furious. “James, you’re disgusting.” “Why would you send my intimate photos to every employee in the company?” I smiled, shook off her hand, then straightened my collar. “Guess why I have a video of you two in bed together?” The hall instantly fell silent; everyone was curious. “Well, it’s all thanks to Assistant Ethan Calderon.” “He sent me your intimate video, but he didn’t tell me the details. I thought, such good benefits, I shouldn’t hog them all, right?” “So, I made sure every employee in the company got a copy.” Chloe Belle looked at Ethan Calderon in disbelief, but he denied it with a distraught face. Just then, the shareholders in the conference room sent word. They had been waiting for a long time; if we didn't go in soon, they’d leave. Ethan Calderon certainly wouldn’t let them go, as he hadn’t formally taken my position yet. As soon as I walked into the conference room, I became the center of attention. Chloe Belle, with Ethan Calderon beside her, walked arrogantly to her seat. She pointed at the seat that belonged to me. “Ethan Calderon, this position is yours from now on. Go sit.” “Alrighty!” Ethan Calderon beamed and quickly walked over, sitting down without hesitation. “Indeed, the Vice President’s chair is so comfortable.” The chairs were all identical, yet everyone present understood the deeper meaning behind his words. Someone couldn’t help but stand up and ask: “Miss Belle, you’re letting an assistant sit in the Vice President’s position? Where will Mr. James sit?” Chloe Belle smiled: “That’s why! That’s why I called all of you here.” Ethan Calderon immediately straightened his clothes, and Chloe Belle instantly announced to all the shareholders. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement today.” “I am dismissing James and formally appointing Ethan Calderon to the position of Vice President.” Except for Arthur Franklin, the old shareholder who spoke, no one seemed surprised. It seemed that last night, besides their intimate activities, they had also been busy winning over supporters. Arthur Franklin was dissatisfied with the outcome and confronted Chloe Belle. Ethan Calderon picked up a teacup and smashed it on his head: “Old fool, if you can’t bear to part with James, then get lost with him!” “Sell your shares! Belle Corp. might be better off without a stubborn old man like you!” I walked in and helped Arthur Franklin up. I, who was usually calm and composed, finally erupted in anger. “Do you all support Miss Belle dismissing me?” “Yes!” The reply was uniform and forceful, as if they feared I wouldn't hear them. “Alright, then I’ll give you a gift too.” I raised my hand and clapped: “Everyone, come in!” The door opened, and several stern men in sharp suits walked in. They held a contract in their hands—the partnership agreement between Belle Corp. and Robertson Corp. “Chloe, I can raise you up, and I can cast you down to hell!” “I announce that Robertson Corp. will never partner with Belle Corp. again.”
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