Chapter 8
Kimberly nodded.
Kevin hesitated, then pushed the letter back toward her.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Martinez. Company policy says management-level resignations require Mr. Carter’s handwritten approval before HR can process them.”
Kimberly thought for a moment, then took off the employee badge hanging at her chest and placed it on the desk.
“I forgot to mention it. The executive office has a new secretary. Mr. Carter gave her my office, so naturally my chief-secretary position should go to her too. Mr. Carter already made his position clear. You can call the executive office line to confirm.”
Kevin frowned. “Then have a seat. I’ll ask.”
“Mm. Just ask about the position transfer.”
Kevin gave her a doubtful look, clearly uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Martinez, but even so, I’ll still have to report your resignation as it is. After all, Mr. Carter personally brought you into the company.”
Kimberly fell silent. She had no reason to make things difficult for someone just doing his job, so she nodded.
When the call connected, Kevin explained the situation briefly. William’s cool voice came through the speaker.
“Neither is approved.”
The call ended.
Kevin studied her. “Mr. Carter means you are still the chief secretary, and he does not approve your resignation either.”
Kimberly hesitated before testing, “What if I just leave?”
Kevin’s brows drew together.
“Losing this month’s salary would be the least of it. But your position is sensitive. You’ve handled every core confidential document at Carter Group.”
“You know what kind of business this company does. These are massive projects — if something goes wrong, the damages aren’t something ordinary people like us could ever cover. And with the confidentiality agreement you signed, if it got serious, there could even be criminal liability.”
“You know Mr. Carter’s temper. If he lets it go, fine. But if he loses his mind over it... unless he willingly releases you, I wouldn’t risk it.”
Kimberly nodded slowly.
“All right. I understand. Thank you, Mr. Allen.”
Kevin sighed.
“I heard a lot about the executive office this morning too. Since Mr. Carter has never had a woman around him before, this one is probably the future Mrs. Carter. Anyway... you’ve been wronged.”
Kimberly looked at him for a second. No wonder he was management at a major group. He had guessed the real reason she wanted to leave.
She stood without changing expression, took back the resignation letter, and said politely, “Thank you. Sorry for the trouble. I’ll let you get back to work.”
...
Near lunch, the huge open office area kept buzzing with small bursts of commotion.
Kimberly had no energy for any of it. She was still thinking about how to resign.
Just as she was lost in thought, Diane Collins tapped her desk and bent down to whisper, “Are you okay? I just heard what happened in the coffee room. How did William Carter suddenly turn into a blind, brainless bastard? He actually ordered you to apologize?”
Kimberly smiled, calm as ever.
“If I started trouble first, and you rushed over, would you protect me first or someone else?”
“You, obviously!”
“That’s called favoritism.”
Diane looked at her indifferent expression and felt a sting in her chest.
Kimberly was too good at swallowing her emotions. Her face said nothing was wrong, which meant her heart was probably a mess.
Diane sighed. “Fine. We won’t talk about that. Want to go out for lunch?”
“Mm. Let me pack up.”
Kimberly had barely answered when she glanced down and saw a trending-news alert floating across her phone screen.
Diane immediately reached over to block it.
“I can’t hide it from you forever. It’s about his engagement. That’s what all the gossiping vultures have been talking about. Don’t click in and torture yourself.”
Kimberly’s hand paused, then withdrew.
“Okay. I know.”
At the restaurant, after they ordered, Kimberly asked directly, “I want to resign, but William Carter doesn’t want to let me go. Any good ideas?”
Diane thought for a while, then frowned.
“That’s not easy. Your position involves more than an employment contract. You also signed an NDA. If you just walk and piss him off, who knows what kind of insanity he’ll pull.”
“Given the way he treated you today, I don’t think he’ll care about old affection. If you weren’t short on money, maybe it’d be different. But right now, missing even one day’s pay would hurt you. Don’t go head-to-head with him.”
Kimberly lowered her eyes, disappointed.
Diane patted the back of her hand.
“Hey. Stop thinking about it. Carter Group pays well. Just treat it like you’re here for the money and keep your distance from them. And...”
Diane paused before continuing.
“I know you owe him too much, but don’t carry that guilt like a life sentence. Janet Campbell is picking fights because she probably guessed something was going on between you and him...”
Kimberly nodded and forced a small smile.
“Mm. Diane, let’s not talk about him. I was mentally prepared for this from the beginning. Let’s eat.”
...
Carter Group.
William held a cigarette between his lips and looked at Janet, his expression unreadable.
“Why did you post the engagement news without permission?”
Janet froze, then answered in a flustered, wounded tone, “I asked your mother first... I’m sorry, Will. I forgot to ask you. I’ll delete it now.”
“Delete it.”
William’s answer was bland.
Under the desk, Janet’s hands clenched tightly.
He didn’t want people to know he was getting married?
So what if she deleted it now? It had already trended. Who hadn’t seen it?
William asked, “Your health isn’t good. Are you sure you can work normal hours?”
Janet quickly nodded again and again. “I can. I’ll work hard.”
William’s long fingers tapped slowly against the desk. After a long moment, he said, “Nothing else. Go have lunch.”
“Will, aren’t you eating with me?”
“I have something to do. At work, call me Mr. Carter.”
William stood, picked up his coat, and strode out of the office.
Janet stared at his retreating back.
When they left the coffee room, she had thought he would personally help with her injury.
In the end, he had someone else treat it for her.
She knew his personality was cold, but somehow he felt even colder than he had three years ago.
Janet was still distracted when Ruth knocked at the door.
“Janet? I bought lunch. Want to eat in your office and talk?”
“Mm.”
