"You'll pay for this humiliation,Clayton."I whispered.

He shook me off,cocking his eyebrows at me.I slammed my ID card onto his chest.

"Consider this my resignation!"

Layla sneered at me."Sage Riley,you have no right to say that to him.You're the one who stirred the hornet's nest.Now leave!"

Without a second thought,I slapped her,catching her off guard.

"That's for earlier,"I said.

Her shocked expression satisfied me.If I could smack her again,I would.Probably not now,but soon.

"This isn't over.I'll find the evidence that I'm innocent and prove to you all that I'm being setup.And whoever is responsible prays to whatever god they serve that I don't find out."

I noticed Clayton watch me leave,his eyes held amusement in them.

To hell with him.I was going to make him regret it.

——

I was in the elevator when Julian Storm stepped in as well.Julian was once Clayton's childhood acquaintance,but now,they were business rivals.

His stunning looks and defined features didn't impress me.He looked like an Adonis,no doubt,but I wasn't going to fall for that.I mean,once beaten twice shy,right?

What brought him here today though?

These past few hours had shown me Clayton's truel colors.And if he thought that he was a Charmeleon,I was more than willing to show him that I was a painter who knew her colors.

I wasn't going to be at the losing side.

Julian stood before me,his eyes fixed on me and the box in my arms,a hint of provocation in his tone.

"Sage,did you get fired?"He asked,his interest piqued.

"Who wants to know?You?"H asked,cheesily,as if playing with him.

Years ago,Julian had shown interest in me,but I rejected him for Clayton.Thinking about it now,I felt angry for even devoting an ounce of my time to Clayton.He clearly didn't deserve it.

I was done playing the pauper game.

After leaving Clayton's company,I made haste to get back to my 500-square-meter apartment.

I decided to return to New York City to see my father once I found the real culprit who leaked the project.

The Goldberg Corporation,New York City's largest bank,had branches abroad.Five years ago,my father wanted me to take over,but I hid my identity due to my crazy love for Clayton.

Now,I knew better and didn't want to conceal it anymore.

I dialed a number.The person on other end picked up after the third ring.

"Hey,"I said.

"Yeah?What's up?"

"Find out who leaked the project plans,no matter what."

A sly laugh echoed from the other end.