Chapter 1After the divorce, the president's wife was impoverished

On the day of the company’s annual meeting, Nora brought in a man and announced to everyone that he was the new Vice President.

Instantly, all eyes in the company turned towards me.

Manager Liam looked at me with a smirk: “Ms. Anderson, Ethan has been with the company for so many years. Why wasn’t he promoted?”

Nora casually replied, "Ethan is a cornerstone of the company and performs best at the grassroots level."

I knew Nora was confident that I wouldn't object or leave her.

Seeing the new Vice President, I understood why. He looked just like Nora’s college flame who tragically passed away.

Suddenly, I felt drained. I tore off my ID badge and tossed it in front of Nora.

"Ms. Anderson, I’m done here."

"Ethan, what do you mean by this?"

Nora’s voice carried a hint of displeasure, her brows furrowed. But with many employees present, she had to keep her composure and asked me patiently.

I could sense her looming anger.

At this moment, everyone in the company looked at me with amusement, some even snickering. They were all waiting for a spectacle.

Nora handed my ID badge back, her tone softening slightly.

But to me, this was the biggest concession she could give.

"Theo is just here in name. Theo and I are old acquaintances. I'm merely having him stay for a while. In time, you can apply for the Vice President position when the opportunity presents itself."

"We're all adults. There's no need to throw a tantrum."

However, I was already disillusioned and replied firmly.

"No, Ms. Anderson, I'm really done."

Nora’s face turned dark instantly. She seemed unprepared for me to publicly embarrass her.

Theo noticed and immediately spoke, his tone carrying a hint of humility and compromise.

"Ms. Anderson, Ethan truly is a key figure in the company. With me suddenly being placed here, people might have unspoken reservations. I’m willing to start from the bottom and leave the opportunity to someone more capable."

But hearing Theo’s humble tone irritated Nora even more. She quickly interrupted, "Theo, stop being modest. No one is more suitable for this position than you. My placing you here proves you deserve it. Anyone with objections can come to me."

After Nora’s declaration, my colleagues naturally dared not object, all expressing their support for her decision.

Then, Nora impatiently turned to me: "Ethan, I've said what I needed to. If you’re willing to work, then work. If not, then leave."

I gave a cold smirk.

I always knew she had less patience with me than with others, even less than with a new intern.

Before I could respond, Nora continued.

"Theo, sit beside me. Let’s officially start the annual meeting and introduce you to the department heads."

Suddenly, I felt like a forgotten fool, standing there, unsure of my place.

Yet I could feel the subtle gazes around me, filled with either sympathy or mockery.

Without hesitation, I took off my wedding ring and placed it on the conference table, then turned and left.

"Ethan! If you walk out of this conference room, don’t bother coming back!"

Nora’s voice echoed behind me, laced with anger.

I ignored it and walked straight out of the conference room.

As soon as I stepped out, a few colleagues came over, pretending to persuade me.

They probably already knew everything from some inside source.

"Manager Ethan, at our age, isn’t staying employed more important than anything else?"

"Middle-aged and unemployed—it's a tough world out there, especially for someone like you, who’s the technical backbone of the company. With fresh graduates everywhere, who would dare hire you? I’m just being candid, don’t take it personally."

I looked at their insincere faces, their words implying that Nora gave me this job, and without the company or her, I was nothing.

I paused briefly, and the meeting was ending behind me.

I heard laughter congratulating Nora on getting rid of a "pest," some even suggesting she kick me out of the marriage too.

I looked back at this toxic company and its utterly insincere faces.

Feeling only exhaustion, I let out a deep sigh.