Chains and Revelations

Autumn bit her lip, eyes brimming with tears. I said, "Fine, I don’t blame Marcus."

She smiled, looking as fragile as a lily. I continued, "But you’re fired."

???

Autumn’s expression shattered, looking up in disbelief. System, what’s with this male lead? Shouldn’t he praise me for being different from those cheap women, be moved by my innocence?

SYSTEM: The early CEO setting is always cold and distant, host, hold steady, I’ll help you.

Autumn paused, head down, eyes filling with tears. "Mr. Whitaker, did I do something wrong? I’ll change, please don’t fire me…" She tried to hand me the milk she brought. I sat back in my chair, dodging with a splitting headache.

She slipped. Fell right into my arms. The door swung open.

A couple of staffers saw Autumn and me in what looked like a compromising position. They exchanged glances, half-shocked, half-amused.

"Sorry, Mr. Whitaker, we didn’t see anything…"

The staffers looked awkward, hovering at the threshold.

"No, it’s not what you think…"

"There’s nothing between Mr. Whitaker and me."

"We just accidentally…"

Autumn pretended to panic and stood up, cheeks flushed. Her shy look and ambiguous words gave everyone the wrong idea. The staffers looked like they’d seen this movie before. Damn all of you.

"Marcus, here’s an HR matter for you, handle it now."

I shot Autumn a cold look. Wow, is the CEO going to promote me? Sure enough, more contact increases the affection score (that meter, as the System called it).

"Fire Autumn Reyes."

What?!

Autumn’s face went blank, shocked. I said coldly:

"As a newly hired admin secretary, you don’t know your job, making reckless mistakes on your first day."

"As a staffer, you don’t follow the rules, overstep your superior, interfere with Marcus’s work."

"As an employee, you lack respect and boundaries with your boss, making me seriously doubt your intentions and character."

"Bottom line: you’re unfit for Whitaker Corp in both ability and conduct."

I rarely went this hard. Marcus was sweating. "Don’t worry, Mr. Whitaker, I’ll handle it right away."

Autumn’s face drained of color. "Oh right…"

I stopped Autumn as she got up. She looked up, eyes hopeful.

"Make sure it’s done today. I never want to see her again."

I stared her down, ice-cold. Autumn pouted, lowered her head, and left, looking like she’d just lost her last friend.

As soon as the door closed, she started cursing. Dog, bastard! I lowered myself this much and he still doesn’t appreciate it! No wonder his family’s going bankrupt, no wonder his parents will die!

A chill crawled down my spine. Die? What do you mean, die?