I gave Travis a friendly smile and pushed his hand back.

“How could I be mad? I’m not upset at all. You’re a real talent. Of course, you deserve the best!”

Vanessa shot me a suspicious glance, but when she saw no trace of displeasure on my face, she just pouted and added, “Travis, just take it. Don’t feel embarrassed. After all, he’s doing it willingly. We didn’t force him!”

Travis thanked me repeatedly, pretending to be humble, but the smug look on his face gave him away.

I secretly let out a smirk. I had managed to finalize the material that would actually make the product work just a couple of days ago.

The formula was complicated, and no one else could replicate it.

Besides, Travis had no idea that being chief was not as easy as it looked. The chief was the core of the team and bore all the responsibility.

Without me, the product they had spent a year developing would be nothing more than a pile of junk. If Travis could not deliver, Vanessa’s company would be on the hook for all the losses and face a massive compensation bill.

Noticing my silence after handing over the chief position, Vanessa looked slightly uneasy. She cleared her throat and awkwardly said, “Alright, Stephen, stop standing here. It’s sweltering outside. Come on into the office and get ready to cut the celebration cake.”

She tilted her chin like she was granting me some grand favor.

I almost laughed at the absurdity. I was deliberately left out of the ribbon-cutting, and they thought a stupid cake could make me feel better.

What a joke!

The thought of cutting the cake with Vanessa made me feel inexplicably sick.

I was about to speak when Travis suddenly piped up, “Yeah, Stephen, you go ahead and get some cake first. A lot of confetti fell during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. I’ll stay behind and clean it up.”

He theatrically grabbed a broom and dustpan, dabbing at the sweat on his forehead.

I nearly forgot that they were supposed to cut the cake together. Travis was clearly playing the victim, trying to see how much Vanessa cared about him.

Sure enough, she snatched the broom from him and said in a coquettish tone, “Travis, your hands need to stay steady for delicate work. You shouldn’t do jobs like this!”

Then, she tossed the broom at my feet and said in disdain, “Stephen, clean this up before going inside. Or don’t even think about joining the lunch later.”

I looked at the broom at my feet and could not help but let out a cold chuckle.

Vanessa had always done this. It was the carrot and the stick approach.

My schedule at work had always been packed full. I had never had a seat at the lunch table.

Now, she was granting me this privilege? It was absolutely disgusting!

Travis, who was holding the dustpan, deliberately tilted it toward me. A piece of tissue smeared with snot landed on my shoe.

He covered his mouth and said in a pretentious tone, “Sorry, Stephen, I didn’t hold it steady.”

I said nothing and simply reached for the cleaning tools.

Travis’ smugness grew as his mouth twitched into a grin. He said in a falsely courteous tone, all while flaunting his pride, “Stephen, sorry for the trouble. I’ll leave it to you, then. Once Vanessa and I finish cutting the cake, you—ah!”

Before he could finish speaking, Travis’ expression suddenly twisted, and he exclaimed in shock.

I dumped the trash from the dustpan over his head, curling my lips in a mocking grin.

“Garbage belongs with garbage. That’s the only way to stay clean!”

Travis jumped in a panic. His tailored suit was now covered in dirt.

Vanessa was dumbfounded. She stared at me blankly for a moment before she finally reacted.

She began brushing the filth off Travis’ clothes while scolding me, “Stephen, are you out of your mind? You’re just jealous that Travis is more capable than you, so you’re deliberately targeting him!”

I shrugged and let out a cold smirk, “Quit with the self-delusions. I’m not jealous of a loser. And stop bossing me around. You’re not even worthy of it!”

Vanessa’s face flushed red with anger. She seemed ready to argue further, but I had already turned around and walked away casually.

I wandered along the path, trying to clear my mind. Before I knew it, I found myself in front of a small coffee shop.

I stared at the sign for a moment, then unconsciously went in and ordered a cup of coffee.

This was the place where Vanessa and I had first met.

Back in freshman year, a senior in our club was celebrating his birthday and invited the members for coffee.

I was from a rural background and my family was extremely poor. I was quiet, sensitive, and insecure. However, I did not want to kill the vibe, so I forced myself to go.

Everyone brought expensive gifts for the senior while I clutched my cloth bag tightly.

It contained a few jars of beef sauce my mother had made. Among all the fancy presents, my gift felt completely out of place.

I nervously took a sip of coffee and exclaimed, “Why is it so bitter?”

Instantly, laughter erupted around me. They mocked me for never having drunk coffee, calling me a country bumpkin.

Just as I felt utterly embarrassed, Vanessa stood up and added milk and sugar to my cup.

She even scolded those who were laughing at me, “What’s the big deal? Some people just don’t like black coffee. It’s a matter of taste.”

I realized she was speaking up for me, protecting my dignity.

When we left the coffee shop, she noticed the gift I had not given away and asked about it.

Embarrassed, I took out the jars of beef sauce. She did not mind at all. She even opened one and said it tasted great.

She explained the flavors of different types of coffee and asked if I liked the one I just drank.

Even with the milk and sugar, the coffee was still bitter, but inside, I felt warm.

I nodded and said it was good, not telling her the truth.

Later, I learned Vanessa was in the same major as me.

She came from the mountains and, through her hard work, got into this university. Perhaps because of our similar backgrounds, we developed a quiet bond and grew close.

Her confidence and composure drew me in like sunlight in the middle of a cold winter.

Over the days we spent together, I fell for her. I sank in deeper and deeper, unable to pull myself away.

I finally gathered the courage to confess during the university sports meet.

Yet, fate had other plans. Vanessa fainted on the track due to low blood sugar. I rushed her to the infirmary and handed her the candy I always carried. I then ran to the store to get her water.

By the time I returned, Travis had stolen the credit and even taken the opportunity to confess to her.

When I saw her face light up with happiness, I could only step back and support her as a friend.

Still, I never expected that Travis’ feelings for her were not genuine. It was not long before he broke up with her. He told her that his parents were abroad and that she was nothing more than a toy to him.

He even said he looked down on someone like her because she came from a poor family.

After the breakup, Travis returned abroad, while Vanessa sank into a severe depression. A person who had once been so bright and lively started drifting through the days in a daze without ever smiling.

I was the one who had stayed by her side, helping her through treatment, keeping her company, and doing my best to make her laugh. Slowly, she began to get better.

Once we got together, she promised me that she would love only me in this lifetime.

The company I had worked hard to help her build also thrived. I thought we would walk hand in hand into the future, side by side.

However, Travis, who was unable to survive abroad after his parents’ company went bankrupt, suddenly showed up in front of Vanessa once more.

Once again, she panicked, and her gaze toward him was filled with sympathy and sorrow.

She even went so far as to let Travis parachute straight into our company, skipping interviews and skill assessments entirely, just to help him.

Even though Travis had hurt her so deeply before, Vanessa forgave him so easily.

The company had always been strict with new hires. That was her own rule. Yet she broke it again and again for Travis.

I let out a deep sigh at the thought of this.

Perhaps I should have realized long ago that Vanessa had never truly let go of Travis. There had never been enough space in her heart for me.

Since that was the case, I did not want her anymore.

Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly heard Vanessa’s voice.

“Stephen, weren’t you just acting all tough? You even gave me an attitude. Why are you waiting here outside of the restaurant then?”

I turned around and saw Vanessa and Travis behind me, followed by a group of employees.

I remembered that there really was a restaurant above this coffee shop.

What rotten luck, running into them wherever I turned.

Travis tugged on Vanessa’s sleeve and pretended to speak on my behalf. “Vanessa, Stephen must’ve realized his mistake and came here to apologize. Don’t you usually have coffee before a meal? Look, the cup in Stephen’s hand is likely meant for you.”

He stepped closer to me and added, “Stephen, give Vanessa the coffee and join us for lunch.”

I could see exactly what Travis was doing. He was showing off how well he knew Vanessa, and he was deliberately provoking me.

Honestly, it was boring.

Vanessa shot me a disdainful glance and urged, “Since Travis is speaking up for you, what are you still standing out there for? Don’t think just buying a cup of coffee will…”

She held out her hand, waiting for me to pass her the coffee.

I glanced at the trash can outside the shop and tossed the coffee straight in. I answered in an impatient tone, “Don’t be full of yourself. It wasn’t for you. If you really want some, have Travis buy it for you.”

Then, I hailed a cab and sped away. Behind me came Vanessa’s hysterical shouting.

When I got home, I had just plopped down on the couch when the door was kicked open.

Vanessa stormed in. Her eyes were red as though they were bleeding. She yelled, “Stephen, were you out of your mind today? You went against me in everything and humiliated me in front of my staff!”

Travis followed closely, trying to intervene, “Stephen, it really was your fault today. Vanessa is a woman. She cares about her reputation. Are you upset because Vanessa and I are close? We really are just friends. I don’t want to cause trouble between you and her. I should leave.”