“None of which include participating in industrial sabotage.” I headed for the door.
“You’ll regret this,” he said as I opened it. “No one turns their back on me and simply walks away. And definitely no one chooses Kensington over Sunvale.”
I stopped, turning one last time.
“I’m not choosing Kensington. I’m choosing myself.”
With that, I left the room, striding quickly down the corridor. I crossed the main hall without glancing to either side, ignoring the stares and whispers. I only stopped when I reached the parking lot, the crisp Highridge Valley air finally filling my lungs.
I was unemployed. Again. In a city far from home, without a car, with my suitcase back at the hotel and no plan.
But despite everything, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. For the first time in a long while, I was absolutely certain I had made the right choice.
Now, I just had to figure out where to go next.
Zoey’s POV
The parking lot was nearly empty, giving me a few precious minutes to breathe and try to collect my thoughts. Edward was probably already spreading word at the event that I had resigned. In a few minutes, my phone would start buzzing with messages from Lisa and the rest of the team-surprised, confused, maybe even disappointed.
But before I could deal with any of those consequences, I had something more important to do.
I turned back and reentered the complex, this time avoiding the main hall. I needed to find Christian-and fast.
I spotted Marcus first, overseeing some final adjustments to an interactive display. When he saw me, his brows shot up in surprise.
“Zoey Bennett.” He smiled-polite, but distant. “I heard you had… an interesting afternoon.”
“News travels fast.” I kept my tone neutral. “I need to speak with Christian. It’s urgent.”
Marcus hesitated, clearly weighing whether or not he should help me.
“He’s in a quick meeting with the tech team.”
I nodded my thanks and headed in the direction he indicated. Christian stood with his back to me, talking with two men who were gesturing toward an open laptop. I took a deep breath and stepped closer.
“Christian?”
He turned, surprise flickering across his face. For an instant, something else flashed in his eyes-concern? relief?
but it was quickly replaced by the CEO mask I knew so well.
“Zoey.” He turned to the technicians. “Give me a minute, please.”
When the men stepped away, Christian led me toward an even more secluded corner, well out of earshot.
“Are you alright?” His voice was softer now. “I heard what happened with Elise.”
“I’m fine.” I dismissed it with a wave of my hand. “That’s not why I came.”
He waited, focused.
“Sunvale is planning to sabotage Kensington’s presentation tomorrow,” I blurted out, keeping my voice low.” Something about an important contract with Ascian importers you’re competing for.”
Christian’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re sure of this?”
“Absolutely.” I swallowed hard, aware that I was possibly violating confidentiality clauses. “Technically, I could be sued just for telling you this. But I couldn’t let it happen.”
“Why?”
The question caught me off guard.
“What do you mean, why?”
“Why are you telling me?” His gaze was intense, searching. “This could hurt your career.”
“I don’t have a career at Sunvale anymore.” I lifted my chin, holding his eyes. “I resigned the moment Edward suggested I should take part in the sabotage.”
A shadow crossed Christian’s face.
“Edward Mendez.” The name came out almost like a growl. “I always suspected his tactics.”
“Well, you were right about him from the start.” I glanced around nervously. “I only found out today that he hired me because of my… connection to you.”
Christian nodded slowly.
“And now? You and him…?”
I frowned, confused for a moment-until I caught the insinuation.
“Me and him what?” I stepped back, indignation flaring. “There’s no ‘me and him.’ There never was. I just told you I quit!”
“I saw you together. In the meeting room.” There was something in his tone-something close to jealousy. “He seemed very close.”
“And you thought that…?” I shook my head in disbelief. “Seriously, Christian? You should have more faith in my character. I’m not the kind of person who trades favors like that.”
A flash of regret crossed his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply-“
“Forget it.” I cut him off, already regretting coming to him. “Just… be careful tomorrow.”
I turned to leave, but Christian caught my arm gently.
“Thank you for warning me.” His voice was sincere. “Not many people would have.”
I nodded briefly, pulling my arm free of his touch.
“You’re welcome. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out how to get home.”
Christian’s POV
I spent the rest of the afternoon buried in meetings, checking every aspect of tomorrow’s presentation, instructing the tech team to tighten security. Sabotage attempts weren’t uncommon in the industry, but rarely so blatant.
Even so, my thoughts kept drifting back to Zoey. Her indignant expression when I’d implied something between her and Edward. The flash of disappointment in her eyes. How could she think I truly believed she’d trade favors like that?
More than that, I kept wondering where she would go. She had quit her job and was far from home. My concern only deepened when I quietly learned from the event organizers that Zoey was staying at the same hotel as the Sunvale team.
When the day’s events finally wrapped up, I drove to the hotel, an elegant establishment a few kilometers from the convention complex.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.