Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce-Chapter 9: The Chief Secretary’s Position Is Vacant
Adrian walked past Chloe Foster.
Chloe felt a sharp, murderous gaze that terrified her out of her wits. It’s over. President Lancaster found out the truth. He’s definitely not going to spare her.
The rest of the secretarial department held their breath, exchanging glances.
Following Wren’s method, Adrian had found the real culprit in just a few minutes.
Although Chloe Foster hadn’t been the one to proofread the contract, the fact that she had covered for Audrey Dawson and framed Wren was undeniable.
"Notify HR to fire Chloe Foster and Audrey Dawson. Also, inform the legal department to press charges against them."
Audrey Dawson, being young and inexperienced, fainted on the spot.
Chloe Foster didn’t collapse. She forced herself to stay upright, pleading with Adrian Lancaster through her tears. "President Lancaster, I know I was wrong! I’ll never do it again. Please, give me a chance to turn over a new leaf. Don’t fire me."
She had elders to support and children to raise; a whole family depended on her income. She had worked so hard to become the president’s chief secretary and couldn’t bear to leave.
"President Lancaster, I’m begging you." As she finished speaking, she dropped to her knees with a thud.
In the face of money, dignity was worthless.
Adrian remained unmoved. "Get out," he snarled, his face cold. Someone he had personally promoted had done something so disgraceful. It was a slap in his face!
Unwilling to give up, Chloe Foster had another idea. Swallowing her pride once more, she turned to beg Wren. "Secretary Sutton, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have framed you. For the sake of our years as colleagues, please be the bigger person and forgive me this time. I’ll willingly give you the chief secretary position. From now on, you’ll be in charge of the secretarial department."
Where there’s life, there’s hope. The most important thing was to keep her job. In the future, she’d have a chance to win back everything she had lost.
Wren was equally unmoved, her expression even colder than Adrian’s.
For the past few years, Chloe had bullied and suppressed her, both openly and secretly. Framing her was practically a routine occurrence.
She had fought back and defended herself, but it was always useless. It wasn’t that Adrian didn’t know; he just never intervened. He never stood up for her, leaving her to face the horrifying workplace bullying all on her own.
Now, the fact that she wasn’t seeking revenge was already the height of benevolence. And Chloe still dreamed of being forgiven?
She can’t do it. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"President Lancaster calls the shots in the entire Lancaster Group, including the secretarial department. Begging me is useless."
"Secretary Sutton, as long as you say the word, President Lancaster will definitely listen to you." Chloe grabbed Wren’s arm as if it were her last lifeline. "Please, help me. I’ll work like a dog to repay you in the future."
Wren shook her hand off. "You’re asking the wrong person. I don’t have that kind of influence."
Adrian Lancaster listening to her? Hah, as if. She’s not Maya Marshall, after all.
"What happened today is your own fault. No one can help you."
In the end, Chloe Foster was dragged out of the secretarial department by security, and her personal belongings were thrown out of The Lancaster Group along with her.
After this incident, everyone else in the secretarial department kept their heads down and behaved. No one dared to start rumors or speak ill of Wren behind her back again.
"President Lancaster really is on Secretary Sutton’s side, after all."
"When Secretary Sutton was the suspect, President Lancaster didn’t even investigate and said he wouldn’t pursue the matter. That was clear favoritism."
"But when the suspect was someone else, he acted with lightning speed. Firing them wasn’t enough; he had to press charges and hold them legally responsible."
...
With Chloe Foster fired, the position of the group’s chief secretary was now vacant.
Adrian announced on the spot that Wren would take over as chief secretary. No one in the department dared to object; they all applauded to congratulate her.
"Secretary Sutton, congratulations on your promotion."
"Everyone has witnessed your capabilities. Under your leadership, the secretarial department will surely get better and better."
"Secretary Sutton, I’ll help you clear out the office in a bit."
Wren knew their flattery was insincere. Such workplace pleasantries were rarely genuine. She didn’t take it seriously. Besides, she had no intention of staying at the Lancaster Group.
Wren couldn’t care less about being the chief secretary. It was just a change in title; the job was still essentially about serving Adrian.
No, thank you.
"President Lancaster, thank you for the kind offer, but I can’t accept," Wren said, shaking her head and refusing him in front of everyone.
Adrian thought she was just being modest or shy. "You don’t have to be modest. You are more than capable of handling the role."
Wanting to cut to the chase, Wren didn’t want to waste any more time beating around the bush. "I’m planning to resign and leave the company for good."
Everyone: "..."
Such a great opportunity for a promotion, and Wren Sutton wants to quit? Did she get her head caught in a door?!
Adrian’s displeasure was visible. "I don’t approve." Suddenly, he thought of something. "Your body needs time to recover. The company will grant you three months of paid leave. If three months isn’t enough, we can extend it until you’ve fully recovered."
In short, he would not allow Wren Sutton to resign.
No matter what Adrian said, Wren’s mind was made up. "President Lancaster, rest assured, I will handle the handover of my duties properly."
Adrian was furious. "Must you be so stubborn?" He had promoted her in public, giving her plenty of face, yet she showed no appreciation!
"Call me stubborn or ungrateful, I don’t care. I am leaving, no matter what," Wren said, her attitude firm.
Adrian was so angry his stomach hurt. Indeed, women and petty men are the hardest to deal with. He apologized today and even stood up for her to let her vent her anger, and she was still not satisfied! "Wren Sutton, don’t you regret this."
Wren looked at him, her heart like a rock. "I won’t."
What she regretted was not leaving sooner and escaping this terrible relationship.
Adrian clenched his jaw, a frosty layer settling over his features.
The entire top floor fell silent. The icy atmosphere was suffocating.
Everyone in the secretarial department watched the standoff between President Lancaster and Wren Sutton, their hearts pounding in fear, not daring to breathe.
A moment later, Wren averted her gaze, walked to her workstation, and quickly printed out a resignation letter.
Adrian’s face was ashen. He turned and left in a rage, slamming his office door with a bang.
With her back to everyone, Wren left them with a parting shot before she walked away, "We won’t be seeing each other again."
Walking out of the corporate building, she suddenly felt refreshed and invigorated, a happy smile gracing her lips.
Today went smoothly. She accomplished everything she needed to do. Once the cooling-off period is over and she get the divorce certificate, she’ll be completely free.
On the drive to her new home, Wren hummed a little tune, her fingertips tapping lightly on the steering wheel in time with the music. She put the convertible top down, letting the warm sunlight wash over her.
A gentle breeze blew past, filling the air with the fragrance of flowers. Her beautiful hair danced in the wind, and even when strands occasionally blocked her view, they couldn’t hide the vibrant light shining in her eyes.
A new life, a new beginning. From now on, she’s going to love myself properly.
...
Amberwood Estates.
This was the apartment Wren had bought while she was hospitalized. It was her first time here, and her heart was filled with anticipation. It was a 210-square-meter single-level apartment, with excellent cross-ventilation from north to south and fantastic natural light.
The style was Italian minimalist, fully furnished with all necessary appliances. Every detail was elegant, a picture of understated luxury.
Although it was smaller than a villa, it was more than enough for her to live in alone.
As Wren toured each room, she imagined her future life alone—no need to accommodate or please anyone, and certainly no one to wait on. The thought filled her with delight.
The afternoon sun was bright, its warmth blanketing her.
Without realizing it, Wren fell asleep leaning against the sofa. She had a dream that took her back to her carefree childhood, where every day was filled with happiness.
The scene shifted. She was at her wedding, the bride, joyfully marrying Adrian. He kissed her forehead, promising to love her for a lifetime.
"My dear, I love you."
The words had barely left his lips when a gunshot rang out. Adrian collapsed, dying on the spot. Blood splattered across her pristine white wedding dress, a horrifying sight.
"Adrian Lancaster!"
Wren jolted awake from the dream. As she opened her eyes, a tear slid from the corner. She sat up, gasping for breath, her forehead drenched in cold sweat.
It was just a dream.
That scared her to death. She thought it was real.
Wren took a deep breath and patted her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
Just then, her phone rang.
Wren answered the call. "Mom."
Mrs. Sutton called out her daughter’s nickname affectionately.
"Come home for dinner after work. Mom’s making your favorites: garlic butter shrimp, sticky barbecue pork ribs, slow-roasted pork shank, and a whole baked sea bass with lemon and herbs. Your dad caught the fish today—it’s nice and plump."
Just listening to the list made Wren’s mouth water.
"Of course I’ll be there."
"Great!" Mrs. Sutton said happily. "Bring Adrian with you."
