While He Pampered Another Woman, His Rival Made Her Queen

At the companys annual meeting, the lucky wheels pointer moved past a girls name, paused for a few seconds, then pointed at me.

The entire hall burst into cheers, everyone looking toward Lucian Lucero, who had loved me for eight years.

President Lucero personally arranged this event. Whoever the pointer chooses will become the general manager!

Sister Ciara Bernard contributed a lot to the company. She really deserves to become general manager!

Sister Ciara promotion! Promotion! General manager!

Under the hopeful and happy looks from everybody, Lucian walked up to the platform.

I remembered the hundreds of millions in earnings I had earned for the business this year, my chest beating hard as I waited for him to share the news about making me the general manager.

But he gave a soft smile and quietly shifted the pointer away from my name.

The pointer finally landed on a different girls name.

Lucian gently patted my hair, his expression still kind. The pointer stopped on Stellas name a while ago.

Ciara, youve given eight years to this company. The next promotion chance surely goes to you.

Clapping rose for another person.

I stared at the man watching the girl as I tightly held the appointment letter in my hand.

He didnt understand that there would never be another next time.

I had already signed the agreement with the rival company.

The starting date was next week.

The people who once stood around me to win favor with the future general manager now showed awkward looks when they looked at me.

Some older employees who had worked with Lucian and me for years quickly came over to ease the mood. Ciara, President Lucian also hopes to train new people. Otherwise, the general manager role surely belongs to you!

Exactly, Ciara, Lucian arranges this part to make you happy. He just doesnt expect Stella to step ahead first

I knew they feared I would make a problem there.

In the end, I had spent eight years beside Lucian building the company from the beginning, yet I still remained a low-level employee.

If something like this happened to another person, nobody would feel happy about it.

Facing their looks of pity and curiosity, I only gave a light smile and switched the subject.

I hear this years reward for the general manager is a vacation on an island. Congratulations to Manager Stella.

The spotlight landed on Stella Costa.

She looked very happy, tightly holding the tickets for the seven-day island vacation before throwing herself into Lucians arms nearby.

Lucians body froze briefly, but he still did not move her away in the end.

Only after everyone in the hall looked over did Stella seem to suddenly come back to her senses and quickly step away.

Sorry, President Lucian. I become too happy for a second and forget my place.

She said sorry, but her eyes looked directly at me.

The challenging look in her eyes made me suddenly remember the time she first entered the company.

As a new university graduate, Stellas job background did not match the companys hiring standards.

But Lucian still agreed to accept her into the company.

Since she lacked work experience, Lucian brought her everywhere to join meetings and activities, and both big and small projects carried her name.

Even her position could stand above mine, even after all my years in the company.

I quietly shifted my eyes away and paid no attention anymore.

Stellas ways were not difficult to notice. A colleague who knew me well looked at me with worry.

Sister Ciara, this Stella

I gently stopped her. Annie, starting today, she is Manager Stella.

Annie stopped talking and shut her mouth.

I understood she wanted to warn me and remind Lucian that Stellas purpose was not simple.

But her tricks were too obvious. How could Lucian, who had spent many years in the business world, not notice it?

It was just that he chose not to point it out.

The general manager appointment event had already ended, so there was no reason for me to remain there anymore.

Without waiting for Lucian, I left first and drove back alone to our apartment in the middle of the city.

He purchased this apartment when the companys Series B financing became successful. He said the surroundings here were beautiful and suitable for looking at our future territory together.

At that time, neither of us had ever imagined that several years later, things would turn out like this.

Sometime later, noise came from the doorway.

Lucian came back carrying a light smell of alcohol from business gatherings.

He switched on the light, noticed me standing beside the window, seemed shocked for a second, then slowly frowned.

Why dont you switch on the light? You come home alone and dont even inform me.

He loosened his necktie and walked closer, planning to hold me from behind like before.

I stepped forward and moved away from him.

His hand stopped in the air.

Are you still upset about what happened tonight?

He sighed. Stella is only a young woman who has just entered the company. Its understandable for her to have goals. Dont think too much about it.

Be good, lets wait until next time.

Next time.

That sentence sounded so familiar.

Next holiday, next special day, next time celebrating my birthday properly, next time surely announcing our relationship, next time wedding.

All those next times slowly turned into these eight hopeless years I lived through.

Lucian, I stared at him, do you still remember what you promised my mom three years ago when she was badly sick?

His hand stopped while touching my hair.

At that time, my mom was already near death, and the company was also dealing with the second investment round.

I was extremely busy every single day, sleeping only four hours, and after one week, I lost a lot of weight.

Lucian looked at me, his eyes becoming red, then knelt beside my moms hospital bed and gave his promise.

In three years, he would surely make me the general manager and let me become the honored Mrs. Lucero.

Maybe my mom was touched by his words. While holding his hand, she said good three times before passing away.

Now, half of that promise had already come true.

He truly became President Lucero, but the general manager position no longer belonged to me.

There is only one last week before the three years you promised my mom end.

Lucian placed his arm behind my neck and held my shoulder.

Ciara, isnt this simply because things dont always happen as planned?

Besides, once the company officially becomes public, wont your position as Mrs. Lucero become even more impressive?

After saying that, he naturally moved closer, wanting to pull me into his embrace.

I stood and stepped away from his arms.

Lucian.

No one stays waiting forever in one place.

Lucian became quiet and was about to say something when his phone suddenly rang.

He lowered his eyes to the screen. The caller was Stella.

He did not stay away from me while answering the call, and his face unknowingly became softer.

Hmm, its good that you got back home. You did very well today. Rest soon.

The island trip? About that, lets go after attending the European summit first.

Europe summit.

We decided earlier this year to attend the conference together so we could grow into a new market.

After finishing the call, he seemed to forget the small issue from before and casually explained things to me.

Ciara, for the Europe summit happening in a few days, Ill take Stella with me.

Youre already one of the senior people in the company. With you staying behind to handle things, I feel less worried.

I feel less worried.

Those four simple and fluttering words left me frozen in place.

So, plans truly could not follow changes.

What changed was never the plan itself, but the person inside his plan.

Lucian did not notice my face suddenly turning white, or maybe he noticed but simply did not care much.

He picked up the car keys and headed outside.

The light in Stellas home is broken. Im going there to change the light bulb.

I calmed my feelings and gently nodded.

Still, Lucian paused near the door, as though waiting for me to fix his untidy collar like before.

But I only walked closer and shut the door.

Once the door closed, I leaned my back against it and slowly lowered myself onto the floor.

I did not know how long I stayed there. Only after my legs started feeling numb did I hold onto the wall and slowly rise, then walk toward the study room.

After switching on the computer, the cold white light shone on my blank face.

The mouse moved and opened that email I had looked at many times already.

The words inside the email sounded honest and recognized all the work and effort I gave during the past eight years.

They even prepared a special investment plan fund document using my name.

It was completely unlike Lucians endless next time.

Once I finished discussing the exact onboarding details with the CEO of the competing company, I got up and pulled out the proposal from the shelf that I had partly completed earlier.

I had started preparing this proposal near the end of last month.

Based on the schedule, if nothing went wrong, it would be completed and carried out on the first day of my promotion as general manager.

But since Lucian chose to give that position to another person, there was no reason for me to hand this contract to him anymore.

The loud sound of an engine rose from outside the window.

My hand trembled, and I instinctively lifted my eyes toward the clock hanging on the wall.

Three hours had already gone by since he left.

From downtown to Stellas residence, going there and back only took around fifteen minutes.

What kind of light bulb needed that much time to replace?

I did not want to continue thinking about it.

The study room door slowly opened, and Lucian stood by the entrance.

Why are you still awake?

I stayed silent.

Lucian walked inside, and the moment he noticed the proposal in my hand, his expression paused briefly.

Maybe he also remembered how much hard work I had poured into this proposal and how excited I had been to carry it out on my first day as general manager.

Ciara, why did you bring the proposal out again? His voice sounded natural, though a little cold. Even if youre not the general manager, the proposal can still be carried out.

It makes no difference, Ciara.

No, it didn't make a difference.

I quietly denied it in my heart.

When he saw me staying silent, he didnt continue speaking. He put an arm around my shoulder and gently said, Alright, sleep now. Well discuss work tomorrow.

I didnt move.

Lucian, lets break up.

Lucians hand on my shoulder suddenly stopped moving for a second.

Then, he laughed. Isnt it only one job position? Right now, you are Mrs. Lucero. Why are you arguing with a young girl? Ciara, dont be so narrow-minded.

When the company becomes public, Ill give you a higher position, something even above general manager, okay?

His voice sounded tired but amused, and he did not take my words seriously at all.

After saying that, he ignored my response, turned around, and walked to the bathroom.

I watched his back and quietly said, Lucian, Im not becoming general manager anymore.

Im preparing to become a new partner.

Lucian paused his steps before leaving.

Only after a while did he turn around. His eyes no longer looked at me as gently as they once did.

He rubbed between his brows, sounding a little irritated.

Ciara, why do you always cause trouble without reason?

I told you already, Stella is still a newcomer. I only want to give her some support. Also, promotions must follow the company rules and process. Its not like you become a partner whenever you want.

I ignored his words and continued talking to myself. Its next week.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the partner promotion is already being prepared.

Lucian quietly stared at me for a few seconds, then suddenly gave a cold laugh. Ciara, how did I never notice before that your attitude is this bad?

Yes, I promised your mother, but you also need to understand my situation. The company is preparing to go public right now, and I cannot allow any problems. Cant you try to understand a little?

His accusing words came directly at me.

The past me probably would have become emotional after hearing only a few words from him, then immediately stepped back and stopped talking about the promotion anymore.

But now, I had already made up my mind to leave.

In his eyes, during the companys public listing period, nothing could go wrong.

So he kept choosing to blame me again and again.

And Stella, whose job experience was much lower than mine, still received everything I never got.

Even while the company was preparing to go public, he still spent so much effort promoting her and even went with her on an island vacation.

I should have realized it much earlier.

When I lifted my head again, my heart was calm.

I promised my mom that within three years, she would see me get promoted.

The three years are almost finished, Lucian. I dont have any extra time to waste on you now.

Lucian went silent, his face slowly becoming red. After holding back for a while, he unwillingly left behind one sentence, Completely unreasonable.

Then, he walked away.

This time, I did not follow him anymore. Instead, I turned around and returned to the bedroom, carefully placing the onboarding certificate into the bedside drawer.

The drawer contained every important document from those eight years.

It included the ID card and household register for marriage, even the prepared speech for the promotion event.

For eight whole years, I had waited for him every single day.

Yet what I received again and again was only next time.

Once I locked the drawer, I lay back on the bed.

The phone suddenly vibrated.

A message had arrived from the CEO of the rival company.

[Ms. Bernard, your work results are very impressive, and our company is sincerely looking forward to you joining us.]

[The legal team is already handling the process. When do you think it is suitable to officially share this news?]

After thinking about Lucian, my fingers paused for a second before typing:

[I will settle my private matters as quickly as possible.]

[I will officially join next week.]

The other side answered very fast. [The office has already been prepared based on your preferences. You can come by and check it anytime.]

I thanked him and switched off my phone.

While lying on the bed, I stared at the ceiling, but I did not feel the happiness or comfort I had imagined.

I wanted to give everything a proper ending with Lucian and with the company.

This was not simple.

Eight years, tied together for too long, buried deep inside my heart and soul.

Pulling myself away was bound to hurt badly.

But I knew I needed to leave.

I had already completed the resignation letter.

I planned to give it to Lucian the following day.

Maybe because he was still upset about yesterdays matter, Lucian went to the company earlier that morning without waiting for me.

When I reached the company, I happened to see him inside the office with Stella, talking happily.

Stella sat halfway on the office table, while most of her body almost rested against him, yet Lucian showed no intention of moving away from her.

My steps stopped for a moment. I waited outside for quite some time, but in the end, I still knocked on the door.

After hearing the knock, Stella softly cried out and quickly tried climbing down from the office table. However, because she could not keep her balance, she stumbled and fell into Lucians arms.

Lucian quietly calmed her down a few times. When her cheeks became red because of what he said, he finally gently let her go.

Watching that close scene made me suddenly think about the beginning years of the company.

At that time, although everyone already knew I was the girlfriend who helped him build everything from the ground up,

Lucian still did not want to publicly reveal our relationship. To avoid suspicion, he even announced that I was no longer allowed to casually enter and leave his office.

If there was a work report, I even had to book an appointment and send an application a day before.

Even after going in, I still could not remain there for over ten minutes.

But now, as I looked at Lucian with a smile on his face, I finally understood.

So from the start until the end, the thing he wanted to avoid was not suspicion, but me.

I smiled bitterly at myself, then placed the resignation form I was holding onto the desk and waited for his signature.

Still, Lucian did not even glance at it. Instead, he frowned and asked, Didnt I tell you to file it early? Why didnt you submit it this time?

I parted my lips, wanting to tell him that after today, I would be leaving.

I came today to hand in my resignation and pack my belongings as well.

But before I managed to speak, he suddenly looked like he felt sorry for me. He lifted his hand and pushed my resignation paper aside.

Okay, Ill review the documents later. Go outside first.

I hesitated again and again, wanting to tell him that it was not a work file, but my resignation document.

But after seeing Stella weakly rest against Lucian once more, I held the words back.

Soon after, I stepped out of the office, returned to my workspace, and began arranging my things.

I did not have many personal belongings. A single bag could fit all of them.

During these eight years, I had kept giving everything to him and the company.

I had turned into someone completely different from who I used to be.

Still, it was good that I would leave soon.

Right after I finished packing, Lucian walked out of the office.

The moment he saw me, he walked straight toward me, his voice sounding heavy.

Ciara, lets talk.

He probably already noticed my resignation application.

I smiled lightly, my voice distant. President Lucero, there is nothing for us to say anymore.

Nothing to say anymore? Lucian nearly bit out the words. Ciara, do you still think you are that outstanding graduate everybody wanted back then?

Once you leave Syntra Technology, where do you think you can go?

This field is very small. Everyone already knows you belong to me. Without me agreeing, lets see who has the courage to employ you!

I stared at him while pain slowly passed through my heart.

After the eight years I spent beside him, this was the way he looked at me.

At least I should thank him for finally showing his true feelings before I walked away.

I ignored his angry shouting, held the box in my arms, and walked out of the company.

Behind me, I could still hear Lucians furious yelling and Stellas soft voice pretending to calm him down.

But none of those things mattered to me anymore.

That night, after arriving at the rival company, I remembered there was still one file left at Syntra Technology.

So I took a taxi back.

Inside the company, only Lucians office still had the lights turned on.

I walked near the door and was about to knock, but voices speaking inside suddenly reached my ears.

They were Lucians other business partners.

Lucian, are you really going to ignore Ciara now? What if she truly leaves for another company?

My hand holding the doorknob suddenly stopped.

Right after that, Lucians careless voice came from inside.

You still cant see how she is? Shes mad because I gave Stella the general manager role. Shes purposely making a scene and acting difficult!

Let her quit. Id like to see what company dares hire her without me agreeing to it. In the end, wont she still return and obediently work her way up from the bottom?

Stella laughed sweetly. Oh, this really is my fault. A lot of people at the company are asking if Ciara left because of me.

But the pointer stopped on me first. How could anyone know that would happen?

Lucians other partners quickly agreed. Stella knows how to think about the whole company. Ciaras different. Even after following you for eight years, she still only knows how to create problems without reason.

My hand slowly let go of the doorknob.

Maybe because Lucian believed I wouldnt really leave, he signed the resignation paper very fast.

That actually made it easier for me to start at the new company.

On only my second day at the new company, I signed an important client.

During the next few days, I stayed busy with work the whole time.

Of course, I also didnt know that, on the other side, Lucian was quietly staring at my chat window.

Counting the days, Ciara hadnt contacted him for three days already.

Before this, that had never happened.

Even though Ciara had some attitude, it usually came fast and disappeared fast, too. There were barely any times when they stayed upset with each other for three days.

Lucians partner opened my social media, enlarged the photo, and passed the phone to him.

Lucian, look, this is Ciara.

Shes even working during the weekend. So hardworking?

Lucian followed where he pointed and looked.

In the photo, the computer was surrounded by large piles of documents, with crowded notes written everywhere.

Right away, he thought about Ciaras proposal, which was only halfway finished.

He didnt think much of it and breathed out through his nose.

Not sure where she got that office, but it does look pretty good.

Let her keep throwing a fit. No matter how amazing the proposal turns out, when she returns, shell still have to begin from the bottom.

The partner stared at the photo, then looked at Lucian, whose face looked cold, and unexpectedly tried to ease the mood.

Lucian, whats the point? Ciara followed you for eight years and contributed so much to the company, but you still wont give her a higher position?

Lucian interrupted him in a cold voice. You really cant give her too much freedom.

If Id given her a chance earlier, who knows how much trouble she wouldve made? If I ignore her, shell naturally finish the proposal and come back herself, wont she?

Women still need to be controlled.

The partner gave an awkward smile and stopped talking.

One day before the company officially opened to the public, Lucian arranged a meeting with an important client.

This client was someone he had tried to work with a few months earlier, and only now did things finally improve.

Lucian did not dare waste time and quickly rushed there.

While on the way, his phone's notification sound continued ringing nonstop.

Lucian opened the messages and saw they were from the brothers group chat.

[Lucian, look. Is this Ciara? Why is she really attending the ribbon-cutting event? Did you actually agree to promote her?]

The attached picture was a post from a mutual friends Instagram.

At the ribbon-cutting event, Ciara wore formal clothes, and her expression looked calm and proper.

When Lucian saw the picture, he frowned.

The first thing he thought was that these past few days of ignoring her still hadnt made Ciara understand.

She even dared to secretly arrange a ribbon-cutting event at the company behind his back?

He opened the voice recording and spoke in an annoyed voice, I never agreed to this, so what promotion is she having?

None of you should go. Let her stand there alone and lose face.

Lucian pictured Ciara staying alone at the ceremony, while nobody came to congratulate her.

A small feeling of satisfaction rose inside his heart.

He felt this counted as punishment for Ciara getting angry with him these last few days.

If he didnt need to meet a client today, he wouldve definitely hurried back and stopped the ceremony immediately.

The road was crowded with traffic, and it looked like there was some celebration happening in front.

The driver went to ask about it out of curiosity, then returned and said, Its the rival company nearby. They hired a new partner with a big offer, so theyre celebrating the person joining.

Partner.

Lucian suddenly thought again about that night when Ciara said she was about to become a partner.

At that moment, a few more messages quickly appeared in the brothers group chat.

[Its been over half an hour already, Lucian. Arent you going to see your Ciara yet?]

[Shes still one of the companys old employees, and she stayed by your side for so many years. Its only one position anyway. If she wants it, just give it to her. Can you really watch her stand downstairs by herself, looking embarrassed?]

[@Lucian, reply.]

Looking at the nonstop messages in the group chat tagging him again and again, Lucians fingers at his side slowly curled tighter.

He opened the briefcase. Inside was an appointment letter and two tickets for an island vacation.

That night, after celebrating with Stella and going back home, he heard Ciara say she wanted to become a partner. For some reason, he also prepared this appointment letter.

He began picturing how hopeless Ciara would feel, then he would appear with the appointment letter in his hand. He wondered how surprised her face would look at that moment.

At the thought of it, Lucian slightly lifted the corners of his lips.

Pretending to sound bothered yet helpless, he reluctantly replied in the group chat.

[Alright. After I finish discussing the project, Ill go back.]

After the traffic slowly cleared up, Lucian finally arrived.

Right when he was about to leave the car, the client suddenly called.

President Lucero, sorry about this. I already signed a deal with Ciaras company today. Maybe well work together another time if theres a chance.

Lucian gripped the phone, every word slowly coming out through clenched teeth.

Ciaras company? Where did she get a company from?!

The client sounded surprised. Huh? President Lucero, you really didnt know?

After that, he smiled like he suddenly realized something. I see. President Bernard likes keeping a low profile.

You know about Novelle Capital, right? I heard she joined not too long ago.

Novelle Capital.

The strongest competitor of Syntra Technology.

Lucian suddenly cut off the call. His chest rose heavily, and his temples kept pounding.

He never expected Ciara would truly leave and even go to Novelle.

How could she?!

Turn back! Lucian yelled at the driver. Go back to the company! No, head to Novelle!

The driver got frightened by the angry look on Lucians face and hurriedly turned the wheel around.

Outside the window, the road became crowded again.

Lucian watched the long line of cars outside, and his patience slowly disappeared.

Still, the phone continued ringing without stopping.

Lucian annoyedly tapped the screen and realized the messages were still from the brothers group chat.

[Lucian, where exactly is Ciaras ribbon-cutting ceremony? I just reached the company building and didnt see any event?]

[Wasnt our companys ribbon-cutting event always held here? Why cant I find Sister Ciara anywhere?]

The messages inside the brothers group kept coming one after another.

Seeing that he was not replying, some friends once again found a mutual friends Instagram post and forwarded several photos to the chat.

[Sister Ciara is still at the ribbon-cutting event, right? Why cant I find her?]

[Hold on, why does this place not look like the entrance of Syntra Technology?]

[@Lucian, where exactly did Sister Ciara go? Say something!]

Lucian casually tapped open a photo.

The ribbon-cutting event had already ended. Ciara held a glass of champagne while greeting the visitors, a calm and proper smile resting on her face.

This was not some opening event she arranged herself. It was a welcome event specially prepared by Novelle Capital to welcome their new partner officially joining!

He was still proudly pleased with himself, believing he could make her look embarrassed by herself, but he did not realize that he was the real fool left unaware, happily fooling himself!

Lucian gripped the phone hard, and the strong feeling of things slipping away suddenly took over his heart.

He no longer bothered pretending to stay calm or angry and hurriedly left the group chat screen.

With shaking fingers, he found Ciaras number and immediately called it.

A cold womans voice came from the phone.

She had really blocked him!

The feeling of losing control inside his chest became stronger and stronger, while Lucians breathing slowly grew heavier.

He knew Ciaras nature had always been good.

If not, she would never have stayed beside him without any name or status for eight whole years.

Blocking people was also something she had never done before.

After thinking about it, Lucian once again started complaining about her in his heart.

She had already endured it for eight years, so why was she suddenly making trouble now?

He did not have time to think too much. During the stop at the red light, he borrowed the drivers phone and called Ciaras number.

This time, the phone kept ringing for quite a while.

Just as Lucian thought she would not pick up, the call finally went through.

Hello?

Her familiar voice came from the other side, quiet and calm.

That voice felt like hot oil being thrown straight into Lucians chest.

Ciara, Ciara, he said one word at a time, almost biting the words out, youd better explain this clearly to me. What is happening with Novelle Capital? And what exactly is going on with todays ribbon-cutting ceremony?!