He Sent Me Overseas to Marry Her, I’m Staying Overseas to Never See Him Again Chapter 06
“Mr. Hale must be losing his mind right now. That project is the company’s lifeline.”
I sat in my office, calmly flipping through the financial reports for the London branch.
“Doesn’t he have Tessa? I thought she was the untouchable muse he risked everything to marry
The words had barely left my mouth when the office landline rang.
The second I picked up, I heard Bennett’s heavy breathing through the receiver, thick with fury he could barely hold back.
“Claire, did you tamper with the core code for Project Polaris?”
I let out a soft laugh, my fingers tapping an easy rhythm against the desk.
“Mr. Hale, I have absolutely no civilian translation for whatever jargon you’re screaming. Miss Vale signed the handover form herself.”
“She said she could handle it. That was why I felt comfortable letting it go.”
His voice carried exhaustion, but beneath it was that familiar certainty, the kind that assumed I would obey as soon as he gave an order.
“Send me the backup files right now, or come back to the States.’
I looked at the pattern on my nails, my tone indifferent.
“Mr. Hale, you signed the independent operating agreement. I’m no longer under the authority of headquarters.”
“And I’m very busy right now. I don’t have time for operational incompetence.”
Bennett was silent for a long time. When he spoke again, his voice had softened.
“Claire, I know you’re angry about the wedding, but I didn’t have a choice.”
It was so ridiculous I almost laughed out loud.
“Bennett, do I look like a corporate concierge hired to wipe your new wife’s tears and fix her career? She wanted my crown jewel, and you gave it to her. What’s next? When she realizes she
can’t handle motherhood, are you going to ask me to carry her child, too?”
For once, Bennett had nothing to say.
“You didn’t used to be like this. You used to understand.”
I closed my eyes and forced down the sharp ache in my chest.
Yes.
I used to understand too much.
So much that he believed no matter how badly he trampled on my dignity, I would keep standing in the same place, waiting for him.
“The Claire you knew is dead. She died the day you got your marriage license.”
I hung up and unplugged the phone line.
Mina walked in, excitement didn’t even contained on her face.
“Ms. Rowan, several executives from headquarters have been messaging me privately, asking if
we’re hiring here.”
I lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh? Looks like Mr. Hale’s own backyard is catching fire.”
“Tell them the London branch welcomes anyone with real ability. Double the pay.”
That afternoon, Walter came by.
“Claire, I know Bennett. He won’t give up easily.”
“He’s off balance right now, that’s all. Once he gets his head straight, he’ll strike back.
I nodded.
“I know. That’s why I prepared a second gift for him.”
Just as I said that, an email arrived on my computer.
I opened it.
Inside, there was only one photograph.
It was the picture of Bennett and me from seven years ago in the basement office. It had been torn into pieces, then taped back together.
Beneath it was a single line.
[Claire, don’t make me hate you.]
That night, after I got home, I received a call from an unknown number.
When I answered, Tessa’s tearful voice came through.
“Claire, why are you so vicious? Bennett hasn’t slept in two days because of the company.”
I leaned back on the couch and took a sip of red wine.
“Miss Vale, you were the one who wanted Project Polaris. Now that something went wrong, why are you calling me?”
Tessa screamed.
“You set me up! You left those flaws there on purpose!”
“You bitch. You couldn’t have Bennett, so now you want to destroy him!”
I listened to her hysterical voice and found it almost funny.
“Tessa, didn’t Bennett tell you? I’m the one who threw him away.”
“As for destroying him, he did that to himself.”
Seven years of my youth had ended in wreckage.
Bennett, this war had only just begun.