Chapter 114: Up to This Point
Robert's words were like invisible slaps across Amelia's face, tearing apart the smugness in her eyes and twisting her expression. But soon, she figured it out.
Robert was Mia's man, so naturally he would spout nonsense here for her sake!
She almost believed him!
She laughed coldly, "Robert, before you speak, maybe go ask Aaron first. Otherwise, it won't be as simple as going to Zephyria!"
"What do you mean, Ms. Martinez?"
Robert remained calm throughout. Having worked with James for years, he'd picked up some of his traits.
The only difference was that Robert was better at cutting people down with words!
His tone of voice could give someone a heart attack with every sentence.
"Robert! I think you really don't want this assistant job anymore! Do you believe I can have James fire you right now!"
Amelia lost her cool, provoked by Robert.
A mere assistant daring to oppose her again and again!
Who did he think he was!
When James arrived at the company and entered the elevator, he accidentally hit the 30th floor button while aiming for the 32nd, but didn't notice.
When the elevator doors opened, he stepped out.
And saw the company looking like a crowded market.
Already in a terrible mood, his expression darkened completely. "Does everyone have too little work to do?" he said coldly.
His words were like a cooling agent. The marketing department, which had just been at each other's throats, instantly froze.
Seeing James, Amelia approached with a concerned expression. "James, I actually have something to ask you. Let's talk in my office."
She naturally reached out to take James's arm.
But he avoided her in front of everyone.
Amelia's expression stiffened.
She hadn't expected him to treat her this way in such a public situation.
He'd always kept work and personal matters separate at the company, but with her, he'd always left some room.
Even if he didn't like her entering his office without knocking, he'd choose to call her into his office rather than have Aaron remind her.
She was smart enough to understand.
She knew what those handling methods meant about his feelings.
And because she understood, she'd been fearless!
But now!
How could he...
"What's going on?"
James's gaze swept over the scene indifferently.
The employee who'd been fired was initially afraid of James, but now that she'd already been fired, thinking of what Robert had just said, she threw caution to the wind. Before Amelia could speak, she spoke first, explaining the whole situation from beginning to end.
Even if they were going to be fired, they wanted Amelia to pay a price.
Throughout, James's expression remained cold, and no one could guess what he was thinking.
Including Amelia.
Including Persephone, the fired employee who had spoken up.
She was just betting that what Robert said was true.
After all, Robert was the one who understood James best.
"...Mr. Smith."
Amelia didn't want to say much in public. Just as she was about to speak, James's cold stare forced her to change what she was going to say.
James didn't look much at Amelia. His gaze turned to Robert. "Aaron will take over your position in Zephyria."
"Those three, fifty percent raise."
"Marketing department manager, leave immediately."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone inside and out was shocked by this overwhelming amount of information.
"Yes, Mr. Smith."
Robert was the only person present besides James who fully understood.
After watching James enter the elevator, he left the marketing department himself and went straight to HR to relay James's decisions.
Amelia stood there, her mind completely blank.
James's three simple sentences were like stripping off her clothes and throwing her in front of everyone.
Making her the object of mockery and humiliation.
How could he bear to treat her this way?
"James!"
Without thinking, Amelia chased after him.
After the three left, some of those present belatedly understood the meaning of James's three sentences.
Those who supported Mia got raises.
While those who supported Amelia were demoted.
Clearly, in James's heart, Mia was precious, while Amelia was nothing.
Otherwise, no matter how much James separated work from personal matters, he couldn't have done something like this.
...
James had just sat down in his office when Amelia strode in after him.
The moment she stepped in, James's cold glance stopped her in her tracks.
Amelia knew all too well what that look meant.
Having just experienced the scene downstairs, Amelia smartly backed out, knocked on the door, and only then walked back in.
"James, why are you making me leave? What about keeping work and personal matters separate? If it's because of that night, I already said..."
"Amelia, don't bring up that night again!"
James looked at Amelia with calm eyes.
Just because he didn't say anything didn't mean he didn't know everything.
What happened had happened. He didn't want to pursue it further and put all the blame on Xiyan.
This Amelia before him, whom he thought he'd loved for years.
It was his indulgence of her all these years, letting her take whatever she wanted, that made her push for more.
But regardless, he still remembered the warmth she'd given him back then.
Amelia was obviously caught off guard, a hint of probing in her eyes as she looked at James.
Could he know?
Impossible!
He couldn't possibly know!
Amelia quickly calmed down. She leaned forward slightly, placing her hands on the desk.
"Then why? Give me a reason? Is it because of those rumors in the company? James, you're not someone who cares about rumors. As long as we..."
"Amelia!"
James's calm gaze interrupted Amelia's words.
He already knew about the rumors spreading through the company, and Xiyan couldn't escape responsibility.
He understood her purpose too.
And for those few days, he'd allowed it.
He also knew that when he allowed Xiyan to eat with him in his office, rumors would inevitably spread.
But he still did it.
It was his permission that hurt Mia deeply.
James's hand holding the pen suddenly tightened. With a calm expression, he drew a clear line with Amelia. "Whether I care or not doesn't matter anymore. You and I, this is the end!"
'You and I, this is the end!'
Amelia's pupils shook violently.
She looked at James with complete disbelief.
They were both smart people.
How could she not understand what he meant!
"This is the end" kept replaying in her mind!
He was drawing a complete line between them.
James was telling her that no matter what happened between them before, it would never happen again.
James didn't give her another chance to speak. He'd already pressed the intercom. "Robert, escort Ms. Martinez out."
Robert quickly pushed the door open, walked to her side, and made a gesture for her to leave, exactly like that day at the hospital.
"Ms. Martinez."
Amelia looked at Robert, her hands on the desk slowly clenching, using the leverage to stand up.
Behind her lowered eyelids, extreme coldness.
She glanced at James, who had already lowered his head to work, then turned and walked out with her head held high.
Robert "escorted" her all the way to the marketing department in what felt like an arrest, watched her pack her things, then "escorted" her out.
Because Robert was there, the people they encountered didn't dare openly gossip, but the looks directed at her felt more humiliating than words.
All of this was inflicted on her by Mia.
Mia, the pain I'm suffering today, I'll return to you tenfold in the future!
Amelia walked out of the Smith Group with a dark expression.
This is the end!
He wanted to end things with her?
In his dreams!
What she wanted, she always got!