Daniel’s voice was already laced with displeasure.

But the moment his gaze fell on Eiden, that faint irritation flared into a full, unrestrained blaze.

"So that’s why you blocked my card, ignored my calls and never replied. You’ve been with him, huh?"

"Don’t kid yourself, Lana. Back then, Eiden noticed you only because you were the campus star."

"But those days are long gone. You’re past your prime, yet you still think the world revolves around you?"

"Now pay the bill, go home and finish the client proposals. I might overlook this little attitude of yours. If not—"

Before he could finish, I slapped my pre-prepared resignation letter and divorce agreement straight into his face.

"Save your breath. I’ve already submitted my resignation letter."

"Just sign and from this moment on, we’re nothing to each other."

Daniel froze for a beat, clearly not expecting that.

When he recovered, a scoff slid past his lips. "Don’t be ridiculous, Lana. We’ve built this company side by side for ten years to reach the success we have today."

"Now, with the company about to go public, you’re telling me you’d just walk away?"

The truth was, I never wanted this.

We never had children. For ten years, aside from tending to Daniel’s every whim, I had poured my time and my energy into this company.

I had nurtured it from a fragile little startup into the thriving giant it was now, just steps away from going public.

It was not just a business to me—it was a living, breathing reflection of my life’s work.

But no matter how desperately I wanted to hold on, with a relationship this rotten, I had no choice but to cut it loose.

After all, a company could always be rebuilt.

But a ruined life… there was no rebuilding that.

I had no interest in wasting breath, so I cut straight to the point.

"Your approval means nothing to me."

"But for every day you stall, I’ll sell another ten percent of the company’s shares."

"If you think you can handle that, I’m in no rush."

Before Daniel could fire back, Mila lowered her lashes, crafting the perfect picture of false grievance.

"Lana, I know you don’t like me… But the company is Daniel’s life’s work. Can’t you let it go?”

“If you want, I’ll resign instead…”

Her little performance was laughably obvious, yet Daniel swallowed it whole and stepped forward to shield her from me.

“Listen, this isn’t about Mila.”

“Lana, if you want me to sign off on your resignation, you’ll leave every single share of the company to me.”

I let a soft smile curve my lips and gave a single nod.

Then I raised five fingers.

“Seven million dollars.”

“Are you insane? I don’t have that kind of money!”

Daniel snapped instantly, but I simply lifted another finger.

“Eight million.”

“Why don’t you just rob a bank? The company doesn’t even have that much cash!”

Mila could not resist jumping in. 

However, I did not even blink as I raised the price again.

“Ten million.”

“Fine! Deal!”

He all but ripped the pen across the share transfer contract, teeth clenched so tightly.

Mila rushed to fetch Daniel’s private seal and stamped my resignation papers without hesitation.

When her eyes landed on the divorce agreement tucked neatly among the documents, there was the slightest flicker of hesitation. Still, she pressed the seal down anyway, pretending nothing was wrong.

Her hands trembled from poorly contained excitement as she handed the two documents back to me.

Gone was the wronged expression. Her voice now dripped with malicious sweetness.

“Lana, the company’s about to go public. Walk away now and you won’t see a single cent.”

I replied with a smile etched on my lips. 

“Perfect. Now you can be the CEO’s wife.”

Daniel cut in, his expression darkened.

"Don’t slander us! Mila and I are nothing like that. Not everyone is as filthy as you, Lana!"

"It’s just as well you resigned. Go home and cook—at your age, you have no place in the business world."

I said nothing, simply watching as he scrambled to gather the funds and transfer them to my account.

The moment the 10 million landed, I rose without a word and walked away.

Outside, a fine drizzle blurred the city lights. Eiden’s gaze softened, worry flickering in his eyes.

"Just say the word and I can make the Sanford Group collapse overnight."

A flicker of warmth stirred in my chest, but I met his eyes with calm certainty.

"Don’t worry. I never walk away a loser."

Turning on my heel, I pulled out my phone and, with swift fingers, added every single one of Daniel’s clients into a new group chat.

[Effective immediately, I have resigned from the Sanford Group. Any client who signs a long-term exclusive contract with me will receive a 40% discount.]

That very night, fueled by client deposits and the 10 million dollars in my account, I registered a brand-new company at lightning speed.

Drawing on years of hard-won experience, I secured several major projects within a matter of days.

One month later, at the company's stock market debut, Daniel arrived with Mila hanging on his arm.

They radiated confidence, dressed to perfection. Mila sparkled in head-to-toe designer labels.

The moment she spotted me in my simple clothes, a mocking smile curved her lips.

"What’s this? Heard our company is going public, so you came to beg Daniel for your job back?"

"Too bad you were so shortsighted. Don’t even dream of milking another cent from my Daniel."

I met her smugness with nothing more than a faint smile.

Then the host’s voice boomed from the stage.

"I am pleased to announce that Harmonic Group has been officially approved for listing on the stock exchange!"