The Breaking Point

Instantly, their faces stiffened with unease, though Julian acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Craig was the first to recover, his voice rising defensively. "What nonsense are you spouting? When have I ever spoken to you about anything? Do you have proof for these ridiculous accusations?"

Julian, still oblivious to what I was implying, only frowned deeper, impatience flashing across his face. "So now, before you leave, you're trying to slander the people who've actually contributed to the company? Pathetic."

I let out a cold laugh. "Contributors? Tell me, which of these fine gentlemen here counts as one?"

Their expressions darkened further, and I continued, voice sharp and steady. "Evan's wearing a five-million-dollar watch he could never afford on his salary. Trent just bought himself an ocean-view apartment by the riverside. And Louis—didn't you just send your kid overseas to study?"

Trent slammed the table, his face red with fury. "Y-You're slandering me! I've been with this company since day one. You think your little Cybersecurity Department gives you the right to lecture me?"

Louis glared coldly. "Watch your words. I've given my best years to this company. Everything I have, I earned. My conscience is clear."

I couldn't help laughing outright. Watching them bluff and bluster was almost entertaining. If only Julian knew—Fraser Networks would've been torn apart long ago if not for me. The "profits" these men pocketed came from system loopholes left by a former programmer, ones I had already patched months ago.

Without me, the company would've been easy prey for rivals.

Julian, the so-called CEO, had no idea how much danger he'd narrowly avoided. He'd spent his days signing papers others placed in front of him, thinking that made him in control.

He didn't realize that for the past six months alone, the company had faced multiple cyberattacks from competitors—each one I quietly blocked before it reached the core systems. I'd submitted every report, but he'd never once bothered to look.

He'd once told me he only needed me to play the part of a pretty ornament in the office. But because I'd given Edward my word, I'd poured my full expertise into safeguarding his company.

Now that Edward was ill and no longer overseeing operations, Julian no longer even bothered pretending to value me. He thought he could rule Fraser Networks single-handedly.

My hands clenched into fists, knuckles cracking in the silence. Finally, I looked him squarely in the eye. "Julian Fraser, I'll ask you once. Are you absolutely certain you want me gone?"

For a brief moment, Julian just stared at me, startled by the steel in my voice. Then, he gathered himself and snapped, "Yes."

That alone ended everything. I no longer had any desire to warn him or defend myself. He would reap what he sowed soon enough.

The other executives were still shouting for me to leave when Julian spoke again, his tone laced with disgust. "Skye Solen, do yourself a favor and leave quietly. The company doesn't need someone who takes a salary and does nothing.

"And don't even think about going to my grandfather. If you tell him about this, I swear I'll despise you for the rest of my life."

The End of the Marriage

I forced down the fire burning in my chest and ground out through clenched teeth, "Don't worry, Julian. I'm not that pathetic yet. I just hope you don't end up regretting this decision someday."

But even as I said that, Julian still looked at me with suspicion, as though I were capable of pulling some cheap trick. I removed my employee badge and slapped it down on the conference table in front of everyone, the sound sharp and final.

I turned to leave—only for Julian to call out behind me.

For a fleeting second, I thought he had come to his senses. But instead, he said flatly, "Since everything's out in the open now, I won't bother pretending anymore. Let's get a divorce, Skye. I've never loved you—not once in all these years."

A short, bitter laugh escaped me. "Relax, I'm not delusional enough to think you ever did."

His declaration didn't even surprise me. Did he really think that after everything he'd done, I still cared? Even if he hadn't brought up divorce, I would have filed the papers myself the next day.

We'd been married for five years, but it had always been in name only. We shared a roof but not a bed, keeping up appearances solely for Edward's sake. Outside of that, our lives barely intersected.

Before Julian could say more, the onlookers around us began chiming in with nauseating flattery.

"Mr. Fraser really made the right call! Can't imagine what he ever saw in her."

"Exactly. She's useless—never deserved him in the first place."

"Good thing it's only been a few years. Better to cut your losses early."

I could feel the chill radiating off him, his indifference like a slap. I turned back to face him. "Have you thought about how you're going to explain this to Old Mr. Fraser?"

That question made him falter for a heartbeat. His brow furrowed as he snapped, "That's none of your concern! Just get out. I'll handle Grandpa myself."

Then, as if something amused him, his lips curved faintly. After five years of marriage, I didn't need words to know exactly what that look meant. He must have already found someone else and was planning to tell Edward after the fact, counting on his grandfather's affection to shield him.

The thought made me scoff. "What's so funny, Julian? Thinking about your replacement already?"

Julian's half-smile vanished instantly. He glared at me for a long moment before spitting out, "That's none of your business. Even if I do, she'll be a thousand times better than you. You're about to leave this company—you have no right to comment on its future."

His words drew another round of sycophantic agreement from the crowd.

"Mr. Fraser's taste is impeccable. Anyone would be better than her."

"Just leave already! Aren't you embarrassed, clinging like this?"

The secretary, clearly annoyed by my very presence, gestured toward the door.

Not wanting to waste another moment on them, I cut to the chase. "Fine. But before I go, let's make one thing clear—my firewall, the one I personally designed, is my intellectual property. It's patented. If I'm leaving, I'm taking it with me. I won't let anyone coast on my work."