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I shook him off,and he looked wounded.
"Claire..."
I ignored him,striding away.
Once recovered,I went to apply for a job Caldwell's biggest rival,Horizon Enterprises.
Nothing after divorce?Impossible.
I wouldn't let my suffering be for nothing.
I aimed to stand against Caldwell and crush them.
My best education and years at Caldwell made my resume shine.
The interview was smooth,especially the final round with Horizon's CEO,Nathan Brooks.
In his office,he eyed me,still somewhat skeptical.
"Your love story with Ethan Caldwell is still famous.Why should I trust that you're not a spy?"
I smiled calmly,writing a number on his desk.
"If I join Horizon,I'm confident that I'll hit this revenue in six months."
He stared at me,long enough that I thought he'd reject me.
Then he extended his hand to me.
"Welcome to Horizon,Claire Morgan."
I shook it.I started working right away
With my old Caldwell contacts,I poached their orders at better prices.
I even snatched funding critical to their listing.
At Horizon's annual gala,I stood on stage,accepting an award s the employee of the year.
Nathan Brooks was a capable boss.
He recognized my talent,granting me funds and authority at key moments.
Without him,I wouldn't have succeeded.
For my contributions,he awarded me a downtown penthouse on top of my bonus.
Unexpectedly,I saw Ethan and Lila at the gala.
Lila,no longer the delicate and innocent woman,looked bitter.
Ethan looked at me with hope.
"Claire,you took so many orders.You're still mad at me,right?"
"I knew you still cared about me."
"Would you..."
Before he finished,Lila slapped him and stormed out.
He ignored her,pleading,"Claire,forgive me."
"The company needs you.Name your terms to come back.Any term."
I curled my lips to a cold smile,crushing his delusion.
"Mr.Caldwell,still dreaming?"
He reached for my hand,but a strong hand stopped him.
Nathan Brooks slipped anarm around my shoulders,mocked,"Mr.Caldwell,I don’t recall inviting you,yet you're here harassing our employee?"
"Things not busy in your company?"
Ethan's face darkened,glaring at Nathan's arm.
Gritting his teeth,he said,"Talking to my girlfriend shouldn't concern you,Mr.Brooks!"
Nathan didn't let go,he lowered his eyes and looked at me.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
I shook my head,sneering at Ethan with the same contempt he'd once shown me.
"No,just trash."
Nathan understood,calling security to kick Ethan out.
Ethan,leaving,looked at me with guilt.
"Claire,I'm truly sorry.Forgive me,please."
"Claire..."
The only thing he saw was Nathan and me turning back indifferently.
Post-gala,I ramped up,using Horizon's clout to poach most of Ethan's clients.
After I stole another one of their major clients,Ethan called,desperate.
"Claire,I know I was wrong."
"Let me off this time.Caldwell can't take this."
"Claire..."
I hung up,then fanned the flames against Caldwell.
I reported evidence of Ethan's tax evasion to the authorities.
With massive sums involved,he was arrested.
