Urban Romance

Evelyn's already foul mood, mixed with years of pent-up resentment, finally exploded all at once. 

She flung the stack of documents back at Larissa and snapped, "Your parents probably never imagined they'd give birth to someone with a hearing problem either. If your ears aren't working, go see an ENT!"

The sharp edges of the papers sliced across Larissa's delicate cheek, leaving several bloody cuts that burned with pain. She clutched her face, her eyes widening in disbelief and fury.

"Have you lost your mind?" she shouted. "I'm reporting this to Mr. Grant right now. Don't even think about staying in this company after today!"

As she spoke, she really did pull out her phone, putting on a show as if she were making the call.

Evelyn watched her coldly, a faint, mocking smile tugging at her lips.

She was certain Larissa wouldn't dare make that call.

Even if Larissa had Hugo's trust, t

Shane's gaze was serious. "Our team is developing an 'Empathy AI' for mental health interventions and autism support, but we still need someone who can truly oversee the entire project. This position suits you perfectly."

"I..." Evelyn froze, feeling the weight of Shane's trust and suddenly hesitating. "Can I really do this?"

Of course, she wanted to return to the field she loved. She wanted to create something worthy, something that could earn Jude's recognition again.

But she had been out of the industry for five years. Starting as a minor role would have been fine, but suddenly taking on such an important position made her fear she might hold everyone back.

Shane had only met Evelyn a few times in the last five years. Each time they met, she seemed more worn down than before.

He thought back to the ambitious, confident Evelyn he remembered and could hardly imagine that the insecu

Thinking about yesterday, Evelyn couldn't help but feel her eyes well up.

Hugo would drop her at any moment for Jane and had never truly cared about her as his wife, so Evelyn wondered which of the accusations in her resignation letter could even be considered unfair.

She raised her hand to press against his chest. "These two things aren't even comparable. Don't confuse the issue. As for being reckless… You're the one who spent all your energy on that other woman. You know it better than I do, don't you?"

A vein throbbed in Hugo's forehead. Evelyn really had a talent for insulting him indirectly.

"Since your mind is already full of these dirty thoughts, why don't we put them to the test and see if I actually have the energy to cheat?" he said, grabbing her wrist and leaning into her, his chest pressing against hers. 

Her struggling in his arms only fueled his desire.

Pushed to the edge, Evelyn's delicate body pressed against the edge of the desk, her chestnut hair spilling freely over her shoulders. 

But something pressed hard against her waist, and she couldn't believe his body was actually responding. 

Furious, Evelyn kicked at him, but his long legs clamped around her like iron, holding her firmly in place. She couldn't break free, and in the struggle, she accidentally brushed against a place she shouldn't have.

"Mr. Grant, please control yourself. Do I need to remind you that we're getting a divorce?" Her face burned with anger.

"Divorce?" His gaze was sharp and unyielding, giving Evelyn no time to think of a better way to respond. "Since the day we got married, widowhood is the only other option. Divorce? That's not even an option."

"Besides, look at yourself," he continued, voice cold and sharp. "I've raised you since you were a child. Everything you wear, everything you use, comes from me. You live in a mansion worth billions and swipe that black card however you like. Without me, you honestly think you could enjoy this life of comfort and luxury on your own?"

Evelyn choked, looking up at him in disbelief. "Is that really what you think?"

She wondered if he really thought of her as nothing more than a kept woman, supported by him and without any real value of her own.

Hugo looked at her, seeing how close she was to breaking, and his brow furrowed, a sharp pang tightening his chest. 

Perhaps he had been too harsh with his words.

He was about to explain when a sharp female voice suddenly rang out from the lounge.

Evelyn snapped back to reality and shoved Hugo aside, her eyes locked on the lounge.

Jane pushed the door open and stepped out, wrapped in a bathrobe that slipped off one shoulder. 

It struck Evelyn like lightning, and her mind went completely blank.

Her face drained of color in an instant.

No wonder Hugo had looked so displeased when she entered earlier. 

So, he really did keep a mistress here, and she realized she was just a pawn in their game.

Compared to Evelyn, Hugo remained calm, but even he hadn't expected Jane to appear so suddenly. His handsome face still carried a trace of lingering coldness. "I told you to wait inside. Why did you come out?"

"I'm sorry, Hugo, I didn't mean to intrude, but my leg hurts too much…" Jane's eyes were red, as if she had just cried.

The vulnerable look on her face would make any man feel concerned.

"Larissa is still preparing your medication. Hang on a little longer."

Hugo's tone was noticeably gentler than with Evelyn. 

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Jane nodded obediently. 

Then she quickly turned to Evelyn and hurriedly explained, "Evie, please don't misunderstand. Hugo just didn't want me to be bored alone at the hospital, so he brought me to the office. Nothing happened between us…"

Even though she had never really been friends with her, she always called her "Evie" so affectionately. Evelyn felt a wave of disgust she couldn't hold back.

She deliberately flexed her wrist until it cracked sharply and sneered. "Nothing happened, huh? You stayed in the lounge naked and still call it nothing? What, do I need to catch you in bed for you to finally admit it?"

Seeing the threatening look on her face, Jane instinctively stepped back behind Hugo, fear written all over her.

Hugo grabbed her wrist, worried she might really lose control and strike his so-called first love. "Stop it. I'll explain everything when we get back," he said.

Evelyn lifted her head to meet his gaze. 

His eyes were dark and stormy. Hers were cold and unyielding. 

The air in the office felt suffocating, thick with tension.

"There's no need to explain." Evelyn felt a sharp sting in her eyes, almost to the point of tears. "We have nothing more to say to each other. I just hope you'll sign the resignation letter quickly so we don't waste each other's time."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. Absolutely certain!"

Hugo had given her plenty of chances to back down, but Evelyn hadn't, and it clearly infuriated him. In a few swift movements, he signed the letter, then slammed the pen onto the desk with a clatter. "Get out!"

His anger radiated through the room, and Evelyn's body shook.

She forced back her tears, grabbed the resignation letter, and headed for the door.

"Go explain to her, Hugh! She's always been spoiled—just don't let anything happen…"

"Don't worry about it," he said.

Evelyn ran into the restroom, locked the door behind her, leaned against the frame, and slowly slid down to the floor.

She raised her hand and wiped her tears with all her strength, telling herself over and over, "Evelyn, don't cry! Don't be so weak!"

But the more she wiped, the more tears streamed down. In the end, Hugo, the man who had promised to love and protect her forever, had left her, too.

After pulling herself together, Evelyn left the restroom and returned to her desk to gather her things. It was lunch break, so no one noticed her as coworkers huddled nearby, gossiping.

"Did you hear? Mr. Grant's rumored girlfriend, Ms. Snow, is at the office!"

"Seriously?"

One of the coworkers clicked their tongue and said, "Of course! Riley from the finance department went to deliver some documents this morning and ran into her. The scene was wild, and she's been here this whole morning!"

"Wow, I didn't expect Mr. Grant to like this type. I even used to ship Mr. Grant with Evelyn myself."

Someone sneered. "Ms. Hart might be pretty, but she's an orphan with nothing to her name. Meanwhile, Ms. Snow comes from a wealthy family, and she was Mr. Grant's first love!"

The gossip group grew even louder, completely unaware that Larissa had quietly walked up behind them. Her sharp voice cut through the chatter. "What are you all talking about? Got nothing better to do?"

Seeing her arrive, the group exchanged awkward glances, quickly shutting their mouths and returning to their desks.

However, Evelyn showed no expression. She was used to this by now and just wanted to leave the office as soon as possible.

But of course, someone had other plans. Larissa tossed a pile of documents in front of her and ordered, "Get all of this done today. No leaving early if it's not finished."

Evelyn paused, her eyes scanning the documents. They were all non-urgent tasks, yet Larissa expected her to finish them all today.

If it had been before, she would have smiled and accepted them, staying up late to complete everything.

She had always cared about how Hugo saw her, striving to be perfect in both work and life.

But now, she didn't want to be perfect anymore—she wasn't going to cater to these people either.

She looked at Larissa and said coldly, "I can't do this work. Find someone else."

"What did you say?" Hearing her refusal, Larissa found it surprisingly bold and let out a mocking laugh. "Evelyn, you'd better know your place! The company pays you to work, not slack off. If you want to be a rich socialite, go home and do that!"

"I said I can't do it. Didn't you hear me?"

Evelyn finally lifted her head to meet Larissa's gaze, her eyes icy and full of anger.

Evelyn's already foul mood, mixed with years of pent-up resentment, finally exploded all at once. 

She flung the stack of documents back at Larissa and snapped, "Your parents probably never imagined they'd give birth to someone with a hearing problem either. If your ears aren't working, go see an ENT!"

The sharp edges of the papers sliced across Larissa's delicate cheek, leaving several bloody cuts that burned with pain. She clutched her face, her eyes widening in disbelief and fury.

"Have you lost your mind?" she shouted. "I'm reporting this to Mr. Grant right now. Don't even think about staying in this company after today!"

As she spoke, she really did pull out her phone, putting on a show as if she were making the call.

Evelyn watched her coldly, a faint, mocking smile tugging at her lips.

She was certain Larissa wouldn't dare make that call.

Even if Larissa had Hugo's trust, the company wasn't hers to run. She didn't have the authority to decide whether Evelyn stayed or left

Chapter 6 I Was the One Who Walked Away First