Chapter 21 His Displeasure
Scarlett let out a cold laugh. "You've really shown me what it means to be a hypocrite. Shameless people will always be shameless."
After a brief pause, she sighed with self-mockery. "I accept it. I'm the one who misjudged you. So I'll go over there and take care of both matters."
With that, she hung up without giving Wesley a chance to respond. After ending the call, Scarlett returned to her room, chose her most flattering outfit, and even applied light makeup. She wanted to be at her absolute best when she severed her relationship with Wesley.
This was for her rebirth.
Clutching the revised divorce papers, Scarlett headed to the Ross Group. As she walked through the entrance, everyone was stunned by her beauty—they had never seen her dressed so elegantly before.
Bianca spotted her immediately and grabbed her arm.
"Scarlett, you finally came back to the office! Perfect timing—you've been fired. You might as well process your resignation paperwork while you're here."
Scarlett gave her a cold glance. "Let go."
Bianca released her grip after meeting Scarlett's icy stare, but couldn't resist adding, "I wonder how long you'll manage to stay in Silverlight City after being fired."
"Not your concern." With that, Scarlett strode toward Wesley's office.
After knocking, she walked up to Wesley's desk and handed him the documents.
"Review these and sign if everything looks right."
Wesley glanced up at Scarlett, visibly startled by her appearance. Quickly composing himself, he reached for the papers with an expressionless face.
"Go process your resignation paperwork first. Come back for these after you're done."
"I can accept being fired, but I signed a ten-year contract with the Ross Group. How will you calculate my severance for terminating early?"
"Scarlett, I haven't even begun to calculate the damages you've caused the company." Wesley's face darkened dangerously.
Scarlett crossed her arms, her expression cooling. "Weren't you the one who forced me to take Aiden's project?"
The implication was that this was your responsibility.
Wesley pointed at her, laughing bitterly through his anger. "Pushing your luck?"
Scarlett countered, "When you needed me, you manipulated me into doing your dirty work. When you don't, you kick me to the curb. How am I supposed to compete with that?"
Wesley couldn't respond. Desperate to cut ties, yet faced with her unyielding stance, he sighed. "Fine. I'll give you an extra month's salary."
"One year," she demanded.
As Wesley frowned, ready to object, Scarlett cut him off. "I'm a contract employee. Labor law requires companies to provide compensation when terminating staff, and I need to be satisfied with the agreement before accepting dismissal. If I'm not satisfied, I have the right to refuse, and you can't fire me."
Wesley was seething. She had already claimed forty percent of the company's shares, and now she wanted a year's salary—easily over a hundred thousand dollars.
Recently, the Ross Group had been forced to withdraw from projects and even pay breach of contract penalties, creating cash flow problems.
"Are you trying to push me to the edge? If that's how you want it, we'll go down together." Wesley was resorting to desperate tactics.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Wesley composed himself before calling out for the visitor to enter.
"Wesley, look who's here!" A cheerful voice announced from the doorway.
The feuding pair turned toward the sound. Delta, dressed in designer clothing, walked in looking glamorous and radiant. Behind her was Ambrose.
Scarlett frowned. What was Ambrose doing here?
Delta approached with a dazzling smile. "I heard you were firing Scarlett, so I invited Ambrose to witness it."
Wesley seemed equally surprised by Ambrose's presence at his company. Could this mean the blacklisting was over?
Recovering quickly, he rose to his feet with a welcoming smile. "Mr. Boleyn, what an honor! Welcome!"
Wesley ushered Ambrose to the seating area with obvious delight. After his guest was seated, he turned to Scarlett, clearly wanting to dismiss her.
"Go handle the transition of your work first."
Scarlett, contemplating the relationship between Ambrose and Delta and wondering about their familiar dynamic, refocused when she realized she was being dismissed.
"Since this concerns me, wouldn't it be better to discuss everything openly right now?"
As she spoke, Scarlett confidently walked toward the seating area.
Today, she wore a champagne-colored, sleeveless silk maxi dress with a matching off-white jacket. Her slightly curled hair fell loosely around her shoulders. As she moved, her outfit caught the light, enhancing her stylish and vibrant presence. Her lightly made-up face was particularly striking.
A shadow flickered through Ambrose's otherwise calm eyes, and his expression darkened slightly.
Delta was equally displeased. She had treated Scarlett like she was invisible since entering, but now she properly looked at her. The sight left her momentarily speechless—was Scarlett dressed so provocatively to seduce Wesley into not firing her?
Thank goodness she had arrived in time.
"This absolutely needs to be addressed face-to-face, especially considering the massive damage you've caused the Ross Group." Delta straightened her posture, assuming the air of a legitimate wife.
Her demeanor conveyed a clear warning: didn't set your sights on Wesley.
Scarlett detected Delta's hostility and stopped a few paces away, looking down at her with disdain. "In what capacity are you criticizing me, Ms. Powell?"
She shifted her gaze to Wesley, her eyes sharp and cold, seemingly warning him not to anger her just to please Delta.
In the past, Wesley wouldn't have cared, but now he feared provoking Scarlett into revealing their marital relationship, which would be disastrous.
"Enough. We're here to solve a problem. Let's all speak less." Wesley's tone was gentler than during their earlier argument, maintaining his usual polished demeanor.
Scarlett's subtle glance caught Ambrose's attention. He stopped fidgeting with his ring, his eyes instantly frosting over.
Oblivious to Ambrose's reaction, Scarlett smiled with satisfaction at Wesley's intimidation. Her smile irritated Delta, who stood up angrily.
"Who do you think you are to question my position?"
The atmosphere instantly froze with her words.
Wesley pressed his lips together, not daring to interject.
Ambrose observed the tense standoff with a half-smile. He abruptly stopped playing with his ring and spoke softly.
"Mr. Ross, don't you have something to say?"
With the focus now on him, Wesley couldn't remain silent. He reluctantly spoke up.
"Scarlett, Delta is the future CEO's wife. Show some respect."
Although Scarlett no longer had any expectations of Wesley, the public announcement that another woman was his future wife while they were still married humiliated her deeply.
She lowered her head to conceal her emotions, letting out a cold snicker. "Just a future wife, that's all."
After composing herself for a few seconds, she looked up with a cold expression. "I've been with this company since its founding. The Ross Group wouldn't be what it is today without my contributions. No matter who she might be to you in the future, she has no right to criticize me here."
Delta, provoked by this response and sensing something unusual between them, became increasingly convinced they shared a secret. Unwilling to back down, she turned to Wesley in anger. "Wesley, are you just going to let your employee disrespect me like this?"
Wesley hadn't wanted to be caught in this awkward situation, but Delta's pressure left him no room to maneuver. He barked harshly, "Scarlett, apologize to Delta."
Scarlett seemed amused by his anger. She curved her lips in a smile that was both alluring and fierce, then instantly switched to an icy expression.
"I haven't insulted her or hit her. Why should I apologize?"
Delta, believing Wesley was reluctant to discipline Scarlett, decided she needed to ensure Scarlett wouldn't dare pursue Wesley.
"This woman needs to be taught a lesson so she understands her place."
With those words, Delta charged toward Scarlett.