My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 57

“Director Vivienne, congratulations on your recovery,” Olivia said with a sly smile.

“Thank you, Director Olivia,” I replied, keeping my expression neutral.

“You’ve been absent for the past few days. I thought you were too ashamed to show your face!” Olivia added, a hint of malice in her tone.

I gave a faint smile. “Looks like Director Olivia is quite happy after having half of her year-end bonus deducted! It must have been a significant amount for you to come here and try to irritate me. You really don’t mind losing that much money, huh?”

Olivia’s face stiffened, but she quickly regained her composure. “Vivienne, do you really think you’ve won?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Olivia raised one of hers in return. “Do you really think that was just an intern’s mistake?”

I fell silent. Of course, I knew it was Olivia who had accidentally liked the post. The intern had simply been a scapegoat.

Seeing the look on my face, Olivia smirked. “You know it was me. But does CEO Hawthorne know? He chose to protect me and put the blame on the intern. What do you think that means?”

What did it mean?

I lowered my gaze.

I knew what it meant. It meant that CEO Hawthorne didn’t care about me. It meant that, in Alexander’s eyes, Isabella was far more important than I was.

Because Olivia and I were at odds, because we counterbalanced each other, no matter how much Olivia slandered me, she wouldn’t lose her position as head of PR.

Olivia’s reputation mattered far more than mine.

Olivia continued, “Even if I lose part of my bonus, it’s just that—money. It doesn’t touch my salary, and besides, with months left before the end of the year, I might even get it back. This so-called punishment doesn’t affect me at all. But you seem to take it seriously. Vivienne, by now, you should be able to see your place in CEO Hawthorne’s eyes. He spoke up for you in the discussion group, acting like he’s defending you. But what have you actually gained?”

My reputation was still tarnished, and work was just as chaotic as always.

I thought to myself, thankfully, I wasn’t fooled by Alexander’s so-called “defense.”

Otherwise, I would’ve been the biggest fool in the world.

Fortunately, I had already seen Alexander for who he truly was.

“I’m curious, Director Olivia,” I said, turning the tables, “why do you hate me so much?”

“Why? Can’t I just dislike you for no reason?” Olivia sneered.

I said firmly, “That’s impossible.”

After all, I was the adopted daughter of The Hawthorne Dynasty and had the Chairman’s favor. Even if people didn’t like me, they wouldn’t show it. It’s human nature to avoid conflict, especially for someone like Olivia, who had worked her way up to become the head of PR.

If Olivia were straightforward, I could understand.

But having worked with her for so many years, I knew very well how smooth and calculating she was—two-faced with everyone.

She must have had a reason to target me.

“What’s impossible about it?” Olivia asked with a mocking smile.

“Director Olivia, you keep bringing up CEO Hawthorne. Could it be that you like him? Are you jealous? Jealous that I—a regular person—was adopted by The Hawthorne Dynasty and get to be close to him? That’s what’s bothering you, right?” I raised an eyebrow, offering my guess.

“Vivienne Sinclair, what nonsense are you spouting? Don’t you dare slander me!” Olivia’s face darkened as she snapped at me.

I was even more certain now. “Oh? Did I hit a nerve? You’re embarrassed, aren’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Olivia denied vehemently, turning on her heel and walking away.

I gave a small smile and turned back toward my office.

Back in my office, Olivia, still thinking things over, picked up her phone and sent Alexander a message on WhatsApp: “CEO Hawthorne, if Director Vivienne said anything offensive, please don’t take it to heart.”

It took a while for Alexander to respond: “?”

“It’s nothing. Just a heads-up for you.”

If Alexander believed me, Olivia wouldn’t be able to stay in his good graces for long.

Later, as the workday was winding down, Alexander sent me a message saying he had an engagement and that I should head home first.

I didn’t call James to pick me up. Instead, I grabbed a cab outside the office and headed to Silverwood Plaza.

I was craving something again—this time from the bakery—Black Forest cake.

“Sir, please wait for me here. I’ll be right back after I buy something,” I told the taxi driver before quickly getting out of the car and heading into the plaza.

The bakery, called Afternoon Delights, had been a staple in Silverwood Plaza for years and was always bustling with customers.

As I walked in, the place was crowded as usual.

I made my way straight to the glass display on the left and ordered a slice of Black Forest cake and a cheesecake. After paying, I grabbed the paper bag and headed out.

As soon as I stepped out of the bakery, I bumped into two women. I quickly apologized and was about to sidestep them when someone called my name.

“Vivienne?”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around, only to realize that one of the women, wearing a mask and a hat, was none other than Isabella.

The other woman, who wasn’t wearing a mask, was her assistant.

Isabella stepped forward, glancing at the bag I was holding. “Came for cake? You like this bakery too? Funny, I love their cakes as well.”

“So, it’s Miss Isabella. Even with your busy schedule, you still have time to buy cake in person?”

“Of course.”

“Well, you go ahead and get what you need. I have to go.” I turned to leave.

But Isabella’s voice called out from behind. “Wait, you got the Black Forest cake, didn’t you?”

I froze.

Afternoon Delights’ packaging was simple, elegant—a paper box, and from the outside, you couldn’t tell what was inside. How did Isabella know?

“You’re wondering how I knew, right?”

Isabella’s eyes, visible through the mask, sparkled as she slowly walked up to me. “It’s because I love their Black Forest cake too.”

I pressed my lips together. I knew exactly what Isabella was about to say.

I should’ve walked away.

But my legs felt heavy, like they were weighed down with lead. I couldn’t move.

“Do you remember when Alexander and I were dating? He knew how much I loved this cake, so he’d always bring it to me, especially after we’d argue. He’d hand me a slice of Black Forest cake, and I’d forgive him. But one time, we fought really badly. Even though he brought me the cake, I was still upset and shut him out. I’m pretty sure that cake he had was meant for you. I saw your Status Update that night, and I didn’t want to ruin your happiness, so I kept quiet.”

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, the cold wind biting at my skin.

So that was it.

So that’s what happened.

I slowly walked out of Silverwood Plaza, still clutching the paper bag.

When I saw a trash can by the roadside, I quickened my pace, my face stiff, and threw the bag in with more force than necessary.

I closed my eyes for a moment and then walked toward the waiting cab.

“Miss, weren’t you planning to buy something? Why didn’t you get anything?” the driver asked as I got back into the car.

I gave a faint smile. “It was sold out. I didn’t buy anything. Let’s go.”

The driver didn’t press further. He started the car and headed toward The Crescent Estates.

As I sat in the back seat, leaning against the chair and watching the streetlights blur past, my eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Why did I love Black Forest cake so much?

When I first arrived at The Hawthorne Dynasty, I was quiet and cautious. The relatives there often said I was well-behaved and obedient.

My relationship with Alexander was distant but polite—just formal nods when we passed each other.

I would steal glances at him when he wasn’t looking, and that was enough to satisfy me.

Then one day, Alexander came home from outside, holding a paper bag. I was in the living room doing my homework. When I saw him, I called out, “Second Brother,” and he froze in his tracks, then walked over and placed the bag in front of me. “Vivienne, I brought you some cake.”