Chapter 4 She Quits

Anthony made it back just thirty minutes before the workday ended.

Joanna was organizing the meeting notes when she decided to head to the CEO's office.

As she walked, she noticed the unfriendly glances and hushed whispers from her colleagues, but she paid them no mind and continued on her way.

Just outside the CEO's office, she could overhear a conversation through the door. It was Jack Andrews, Anthony's friend, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Anthony, Madisyn's design draft got wet, nothing more. And the draft was totally blank. She was obviously making up excuses just to see you. Did you really skip work to be with her?"

There was a moment of silence before Anthony chuckled softly, though he sounded somewhat resigned. "You know how it is. Girls get emotional over the smallest things."

Joanna detected an undertone of fondness in his voice, which made her uneasy.

"Since you're engaged, what about Miss Peters?" Jack pressed on.

Anthony's tone shifted, becoming icy and sarcastic. "The Peters family? They climbed the social ladder by clinging to the Dixon Group. She took so many benefits. Why would she object to anything?"

That remark felt like a physical blow to Joanna, tightening around her heart painfully.

She had been with Anthony since a desperate moment led her to his bed, and now, it seemed, she was still nothing more than a plaything to him.

Knock, knock-

Without hesitation, Joanna knocked on the door, interrupting the conversation. She entered with a steely expression and walked straight to Anthony, slamming the folder down on his desk.

"Mr. Dixon, here are the minutes of the meeting. And the documents have been sent to your email."

Without a glance at the folder, Anthony accepted it and swiftly issued instructions with a frosty tone. "Alright, rearrange the schedule. Free up tomorrow afternoon through the evening. Make a reservation at Inlens Restaurant..."

Inlens Restaurant was famously romantic.

Was this reservation meant for him and Madisyn?

"Mr. Dixon," Joanna interjected, her voice no longer timid but assertive and confident. "I have submitted my resignation. Please approve it."

Anthony's piercing gaze snapped to her. He had already noticed her resignation in the work software.

Joanna was resigning on her own accord?

Before Jack could grasp the situation, she had left the office.

In disbelief, he questioned Anthony, "Did your girlfriend just break up with you?"

Anthony's face darkened, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes.

They had struck a deal. The second time they were together in bed, she had whispered against his chest that their affair would end once he was married.

He had taken it as a mere ploy to hold his interest, agreeing while softly kissing her fingertips.

He hadn't expected her to be serious!

Yet he still supported the Peters Group. She had entered his life and his bed of her own volition. How could she challenge him?

How dare she!

*

The day Joanna learned of Anthony's engagement, she made up her mind.

She promptly set about arranging her exit from the company.

"Lillian, these journals detail Mr. Dixon's preferences. Make sure you know them well."

She passed three voluminous journals to Lillian.

Accepting them, Lillian's eyes filled with tears. "Joanna, are you truly leaving us? We'll be at a loss without you."

Anthony was known for his unpredictability, and when his temper flared, no one dared to step into the CEO's office - no one but Joanna, who could soothe his fury.

Without her, the workplace would be significantly more challenging.

"Don't worry. Clint is still here. If anything comes up, he's the one to turn to."

While Joanna spoke, she caught sight of a large silhouette at the doorway from the corner of her eye.

Anthony had entered the Secretary Department, his expression stormy with rage.

Sensing the mounting tension, everyone else quickly rose and scattered, eager to avoid the brewing storm.

"Mr. Dixon, once you sign off on my resignation, Clint will find someone to replace me. It's best if we expedite the process." Joanna was busy packing her belongings, barely glancing in his direction.

"Have you finished with this charade?" Anthony demanded.

A mischievous grin spread across Joanna's face.

She had made her intentions clear. How could Anthony still think she was merely throwing a tantrum?

"You're getting married, which means I'm leaving. That was our agreement from the beginning!"

Anthony seized her wrist forcefully, his tone derisive. "Seems like your demands are growing by the day. Aren't the initiative of land from the south part of the city and the Peters Group's jewelry project enough for you?"

Joanna felt a shock wave go through her.

His words echoed in her mind. "She took so many benefits..."

A surge of nausea overwhelmed her.

Her stomach twisted in discomfort, yet she managed to suppress the urge to vomit and jerked her hand free. "Enough, Anthony!" she snapped.

Anthony tightened his grip on her wrist, his voice icy, his gaze piercing. "I'm losing my patience. Just be straightforward. What do you want? Name your price!"

Even now, he believed he could make her stay by offering more money.

In Anthony's eyes, she had climbed into his bed solely for the money.

Now, she seemed to be causing a scene about quitting, possibly to squeeze out more funds.

The ache in her wrist snapped Joanna back to the harsh reality, her tone tinged with a slight edge. "I want you to marry me!"

The Peters family had recently improved their financial standing, and her brother was incessantly pressing her to marry.

He was driven by the fear that their fortunes might plummet again and was adamant about securing her future.

Unbeknownst to him, Joanna was the linchpin in securing all the current projects for the Peters Group.

She had been stalling, but a few days prior, she relented. "Arrange a blind date for me."

Her perspective had clarified suddenly.

She resolved to end her affair with Anthony.

The air between them became charged.

Their gazes locked, neither willing to look away.

In her eyes, Anthony discerned a spark of unwavering resolve. Attempting to mask his irritation, he moderated his voice. "The project bidding concludes in a month. If you reconsider before the results are declared, my door is always open."

A cold shiver coursed through Joanna, steeling her determination even further.

She articulated each word deliberately, "I don't want anything else. I just want to marry you."