Every time he coaxed me, saying he couldn’t make it look like favoritism, it was like forcing me to swallow something unbearably bitter, with no way to spit it out.
I’d closed six multimillion-dollar deals in seven years, ranked first in quarterly performance thirteen times, ended up in the hospital twice to fix the messes my colleagues left behind, and not a single client who worked with me ever doubted my ability.
In the past, I would’ve argued with Yvette, fought to prove I wasn’t incompetent. But now, I was tired.
Because every argument would just end with me standing in front of Sean, listening to him say something like: “Past achievements don’t matter. If your overall capability isn’t enough, accept it.”
And then, manipulated again, I’d throw myself back into work, trying to prove myself and helping him reach his “low-cost, high-return” goals.
But in the end, I finally realized the truth that the person who had never been treated fairly was me.
Sean, you really knew how to plan for your own benefit.
Tears splashed onto my phone screen, then a sharp ding sounded as the screen lit up.
[Come to my office.]
My numb heart jumped twice, still foolishly holding onto a trace of hope.
But as I approached his office, I heard Yvette crying inside.
“All right, stop crying,” he said gently. “If I say you’re qualified, then you’re qualified. I’ll handle her.”
Sean's soft, patient voice stabbed my chest like a dull knife, twisting, scraping open wounds that never had the chance to heal.
Six months ago, when Yvette spread rumors that I had slept with a client to close a deal, and the client’s wife beat me so badly I could only drink liquid food for two days, I had stood in front of him just like this, begging him to clear my name.
But all he said was: “Don’t be so dramatic and naïve. In the workplace, innocence speaks for itself.”
Bitterness spread through my wounds.
But I had to admit, he never gave me much love to begin with.
Eliza's POV
I pushed the door open, feeling numb.
Sean froze mid-gesture, his hand still near Yvette’s face as he wiped her tears. His expression darkened the moment he saw me.
“I heard you’re unhappy about Miss Bellamy’s promotion.” His voice was cold. “Has no one ever told you that the workplace isn’t run on gossip? Is it really that hard to admit someone is more capable than you?”
I blinked, stunned. “I didn’t—”