The night before the company went public, my wife told me she had a surprise for me and reminded me to dress up for the occasion.

I thought she was planning to reveal our secret relationship, and I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep all night.

However, the next day, in front of everyone, she announced that I was a creepy obsessive admirer. On top of that, she revoked my promotion and gave my position to her first love who had just returned to the country.

Everyone was waiting to see me humiliated.

I froze for a moment but quickly composed myself, walking up to her first love with a faint smile. Then, I took off the badge on my chest and placed it on him.

“As the new director, you should celebrate, shouldn't you? How about a wedding? I’ll officiate for you two.”

Glaring at me coldly, my wife told me to get lost and stop embarrassing myself.

What they didn’t know was that I was the key connection holding the entire company together. If I left, none of the investors would back them anymore.

The media camera flashes stabbed my eyes painfully.

Not far away, I saw Allison Fonseca giving the roses I carefully prepared to Aaron Nelson. When faced with the reporters' questions, she smiled gracefully. “Everyone knows it wasn’t easy for me to start this company, but today I want to say, if not for Aaron’s constant support and encouragement behind the scenes these past few years, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

“And now that the company is successfully listed, I want to take this auspicious day to announce something. I’ve decided to appoint Aaron Nelson as the new marketing director. He’s a top-tier graduate who studied abroad and has seen many advanced practices. With him on board, our company will soar to greater heights.”

The applause and cheers were deafening, and I almost couldn’t stay on my feet. I had dressed up carefully today and even picked up an expensive diamond ring. I thought that when Allison announced our relationship, the cameras would capture the beautiful moment that belonged to us.

Alas, I was naive—it was all a fantasy. No wonder she insisted on not coming with me this morning.

Just then, Aaron’s gaze landed on me. He even waved at me. “Eric, why are you standing there alone? You’re part of the company. Come up for the group photo!”

My legs felt like they were filled with lead, and my throat was unbearably dry.

‘Part of the company? So that’s all I am to her?’ I looked at Allison, full of unwillingness, hoping she’d speak up for me, but she didn’t.

Instead, she sneered coldly. “What a disgrace. He’s only good for being a disgusting voyeur in the dead of night. Come, let’s just take the group photo.”

Her words were like a stone dropping into a lake, causing waves of shock. I could hear my colleagues whispering.

“Really? I can’t believe someone like Eric Stiller, who looks so polished, would be a voyeur. From Allison’s reaction, he must have harassed her before.”

“I was just feeling sorry that he didn’t get the marketing director position, but now I think he should just be kicked out of the company.”

My fists clenched tightly, and my heart bled at their words.

‘So this is how Allison sees me? She’s forgotten everything.’

When we graduated from college, she said she wanted to start her own business, but no one supported her. Her parents cut off her allowance to crush her confidence.

I gave up a foreign scholarship to stay with her and help her build her dream. Every night after she fell asleep, I stayed up late writing business plans and finding resources. For three years, I pushed myself to the limit, believing that once the company went public, our lives would improve. Without complaining, I let her take all the credit while I worked tirelessly in the shadows.

Every time she hugged me in excitement after landing a new project, I felt all my sacrifices were worth it. However, now, it seemed like everything was just my own foolish dream. I poured so much time and energy into her, only to be called a “disgusting voyeur” and treated with disdain.

I forced a bitter smile. I had wasted three years of my life.

The group photo ended, and Aaron and Allison walked toward me, arm in arm. I noticed she’d taken off her wedding ring. Meanwhile, I still wore mine as if it were a precious treasure.

Lost in thought, they were already in front of me. Aaron extended his hand. “We’re colleagues now, Eric. I look forward to working with you.”

I stared at his outstretched hand, unmoving. I didn’t believe he didn’t know about our marriage, yet he kept silent in front of the media. He even provoked me in front of everyone.

To be honest, I wanted to punch him, but I couldn’t. I watched this company grow from nothing, and I couldn’t bring myself to ruin it.

Seeing my silence, Allison sneered again. “Stop acting high and mighty, Eric. Do you think landing a few deals makes you a hero that everyone owes respect to? Having a senior like you is really unfortunate.”

Aaron simply smiled and patted Allison’s shoulder soothingly. “It’s fine. Maybe Eric is upset that I got the director position. It’s understandable. We’re all here for the good of the company. If you have a problem, take it out on me, not the company.”

He looked like the gracious savior, while I was the despicable villain.

Why?

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. The two of them looked like a perfect couple.

Exhaling slowly, I then stepped forward in front of everyone to take off my company badge and hang it around Aaron’s neck.

“I don’t deserve to be called ‘senior’ by you. After all, you’re the imported elite. You’d better do well. As for me, I’m clearly unworthy of staying here. I’ll submit my resignation later. Oh, and since you’re new, why not celebrate? Maybe even host a wedding. I can be your witness.”

Aaron’s eyes flashed with shock as he stared incredulously at the badge before looking back up at me.

Meanwhile, Allison’s brows slowly furrowed. “Eric, what nonsense are you spouting? You’re nothing but a failure who ruins everything.”

“What nonsense? Under the media’s spotlight, whose hands were intertwined, acting as though they wouldn’t take responsibility?”

Under my lead, the media zoomed in on Allison and Aaron’s clasped hands, startling Allison into quickly pulling her hand away. She glared at me in frustration. “And just because I said a few things, you’re already threatening to quit? Do you think the company will bend to your whims?”

I nodded with feigned seriousness. “Let me clarify—I’m not threatening. I’m formally resigning. Now that the company has gone public, reputation is everything. And obviously, someone like me—a disgusting voyeur—shouldn’t remain here.”

Hearing this, Allison’s face darkened.

Aaron hesitated but then started reaching for the badge hanging from his neck. “Eric, how can I make you stay? If you’re unhappy, we can compete fairly for the director’s position.”

His words sounded righteous, but he didn’t actually take off the badge. It wasn’t until Allison pressed down on his hand that he stopped. “What’s there to feel bad about? If he doesn’t care, why should you? Just keep it.”

As she said this, Allison stared directly into my eyes. I couldn’t tell if she was acting out of spite or genuine disdain, and honestly, I didn’t care anymore.

As I turned to leave, Allison called out to me, “The marketing department is still short-staffed. Don’t rush to leave yet. Next week, we have an important deal with a foreign supplier. Bring the team and secure the deal.”

I chuckled coldly. I’d never seen anyone ask for help with such an attitude.

I remembered that supplier well. They were extremely cautious with raw materials and had little exposure to the domestic market. Naturally, they were very selective about their partners, and every collaboration opportunity attracted fierce competition. Our company was no exception.

Previously, I handled this line of work, but now, I was exhausted. Therefore, I decided to toss the responsibility onto Aaron.

“Since Aaron’s so capable, he shouldn’t disappoint you.”

Before Allison could respond, Aaron immediately stepped up. “This will be my first project since taking on the role. I promise to lead the team to success and elevate the company to new heights!”

I found it amusing. Some people were foolishly naïve. He had no idea the supplier’s CEO was notoriously elusive. Many companies wanting to collaborate couldn’t even track him down.

What was more, the company was infamous for being picky.

Unfortunately for them, I’d happened to meet the CEO last month through sheer coincidence. He’d been impressed and expressed a desire to work with me personally, not the company.

Nevertheless, the oblivious Aaron approached me again with a glass of wine, his tone smug. “Eric, don’t worry. Once you leave, I’ll revamp the marketing department. I won’t keep any dead weight on the team. I’ll turn it into the company’s backbone and ensure you aren’t let down.”

I knew he was worried I’d leave spies behind to sabotage him later. I stayed silent. Upon hearing Aaron’s words, the nearby colleagues exchanged uneasy glances, clearly worried about their futures.

As Aaron raised his glass to toast everyone, I calmly walked behind him. Without hesitation, I pushed him straight into the nearby fountain pool.

“As your still-employed senior, let me teach you your first lesson. A new leader shouldn’t let their fire burn too brightly. Otherwise, they’ll need to cool off.”

Allison’s sharp voice rang in my ears. “Eric, are you crazy? How dare you push him in front of everyone?”

As she spoke, Allison hurried over to pull Aaron out of the fountain, but he floundered in the icy water for quite a while without getting up. It was winter, and the fountain water was freezing. Aaron sneezed several times, his carefully styled hair now soaked and disheveled. He looked utterly miserable.

Some colleagues even pulled out their phones and started taking pictures.

Allison still managed to throw a parting threat my way. “Eric, you uncivilized brute! I won’t let you get away with this!”

I ignored her, shoved my hands into my pockets, and walked straight out of the venue. Standing by the roadside waiting for a ride, I watched the rain outside grow heavier and felt a pang of nostalgia.

The first time I met Allison was on a rainy day like this. I’d been standing outside a convenience store, making a phone call. Just as I opened my umbrella and was about to leave, a spirited figure dashed out of the rain. She ducked under my umbrella, her eyes crinkling in a sweet smile.

“Hey, I forgot my umbrella. Mind sharing yours for a bit?”

For some reason, my heart skipped a beat, and my mind went blank. Without thinking, I agreed.

Later, I often thought that moment might have been fate—love at first sight. It was only after we got married that I learned she had someone else in her heart, a figure she could never forget.

She’d married me out of spite.

I once believed that if I treated her well enough, I could replace that person in her heart and carve out a bit of happiness for myself. Little did I know, it was nothing more than wishful thinking.

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard familiar voices behind me. It was Allison and Aaron.

Seeing the rain, Allison complained coyly, “Why did the weather suddenly change? And it’s raining so heavily. Did you bring an umbrella?”

Aaron glanced around and then locked eyes with me. “Wow, Allison, look how considerate Eric is! He knows you don’t like rainy days, so he waited here just for you. He even called a car for you!”

It was rush hour, and with the bad weather, traffic was congested, and rides were scarce. The car I’d ordered had just arrived.

Allison nodded in satisfaction. “Don’t think that calling a car for me means you can wipe the slate clean. You humiliated Aaron in front of the media, and I’ll deal with you for that later. But since you arranged a car for me, I’ll let it slide for now. As for your impulsive resignation, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

With that, she prepared to get in the car, gesturing for Aaron to join her.

Aaron glanced at me hesitantly and said with a smile, “This doesn’t seem right. After all, this is Eric’s car. Wouldn’t it be rude of me to tag along?”

However, Allison replied without hesitation, “It’s a big car, isn’t it? One more person won’t make a difference. Or do you want to stand here in the rain and wait forever? Eric can just flag another car down.”

Just as Allison reached for the door handle, I slipped into the front passenger seat first. “Who said this car was for you? Stop flattering yourselves.”

I then gave the driver my phone number to confirm the ride, and the car smoothly pulled away, leaving the two of them standing there, stunned in the rain.