The Price of a Farewell Dinner Chapter 2

Simon closed the door, blocking the view from outside.

He leaned against the desk, trying to soften his tone.

"Alright, Grace. No one else is here. Stop throwing a tantrum."

"About the dinner tomorrow, I just said it casually to give you an out. How could I really make you pay that much?"

"I know, you're unhappy because Hailey took the position, so you said you're leaving in a fit of pique. How about this? I'll raise your salary by $500 a month?"

"Stay and be Hailey's deputy with peace of mind. We'll be like before. I rely on you, trust you."

"With your ability, you can definitely support the project steadily. This way the team is stable, and the company is assured."

He grabbed my wrist, thumb rubbing the back of my hand, acting like "I'm doing this for you."

Looking at his expression, I only felt nausea. I pulled my hand back sharply.

"Mr. Simon, resignation is a decision I made after careful consideration, not a joke."

Simon's smile froze, tone filled with disbelief.

"So, you'd rather pay twenty or thirty thousand dollars out of your own pocket to treat the whole company to dinner than accept my offer?"

He sneered.

"Grace, who taught you math? Insisting on being a sucker?"

My tone was waveless.

"Mr. Simon, I've calculated clearly. Some investments are total losses and should be stopped in time."

"Stop in time?"

Muscles on Simon's face twitched. He slowly raised his hand to adjust his cuff.

"Good. Very good."

"Since you're so rich, why not do another good deed?"

He leaned forward, lowering his voice.

"This quarter, count the performance of your project under Hailey's name. You're leaving anyway, you won't get the commission. Might as well do a favor."

I stopped what I was doing and looked at this familiar face.

The last trace of hope in my heart was completely shattered.

"The SkyCity project took me eight months to sign."

"The contract process just finished last week, down payment arrived yesterday. According to company rules, this quarter's performance should be mine."

Simon's smile faded.

"Rules are dead, people are alive."

"Hailey will take over all your clients. If her numbers are too ugly, how can she hold the fort? You're leaving anyway. Leave a good reputation, easier to meet in the industry later."

"Mr. Simon."

I looked up and interrupted him, facing his eyes.

"I personally believe my reputation doesn't need to be exchanged in this way."

My repeated refusals made him unable to maintain that hypocritical mask anymore.

His voice was filled with uncontrollable anger.

"Grace! Don't be ungrateful! I'm giving you an out! Who do you think you are without Apex? Who in the industry would want someone who fell out with their former employer?"

"What I am, I will know after leaving Apex. No need for you to worry."

"As for that dinner..."

I curled my lips imperceptibly.

"I sent the address. You guys set the time."

He probably had never been contradicted by me like this. Face changing colors, he squeezed words out through his teeth after a long time.

"Grace, you have guts! Then let's meet tomorrow night! I want to see how generous you can be!"

When I walked out of the company gate, it was near dusk.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

I took it out. It was a new message from Simon tagging everyone in the group again:

[@channel Tomorrow night at 6 PM. Everyone be there on time. Bring family and friends to make it lively. The more people, the more sincerity. Whoever doesn't come is disrespecting her, and disrespecting me! @everyone]

Below was another wave of "Received," "Thanks Boss," mixed with excited emojis.

I swiped away the notification calmly without replying.

I knew, the higher they jump now, the harder they will fall tomorrow.