Chapter 198


    Before the crack of dawn, I was up again. After a quick shower, I saw a text from Ernest reminding me to grab the breakfast he''d left at my door. He hadn''t questioned why I''d skipped his previous breakfasts, yet he continued to prepare them for me.


    Not wanting his kindness to go unnoticed, I ate the breakfast before heading to the office.


    Arriving early, the office was still quiet, a perfect time to get ahead. I drafted the day''s agenda and reviewed the team''s recent performance metrics, all before the official start of the workday.


    To kill some more time, I scrolled through my social media feed. Sure, it''s a bit of a time sink, but with a friend list as short as mine, it''s a quick way to check in on everyone''s lives without the need for calls or texts.


    Jefferson had posted about entering a pool tournament, and Fanny shared another milestone – she''d just delivered her 5,566th baby. It''s her way of keeping track of the lives she''s helped bring into the world.


    I liked it and continued scrolling until I saw Conrad''s post. "For the rest of our days, I''ll take care of you both." It was apanied by a cartoon of a mother and child.


    My heart clenched. I knew exactly what it meant. He''d moved on with Haley.


    His post was from the middle of the night, already flooded with likes and congrattions. Some, unaware of our breakup, even congratted me and Conrad.


    I let out a bitterugh and dropped ament: "Congrats, wishing you happiness."


    After posting, I closed the app, not in the mood to see more.


    Setting my phone aside, I stared nkly at myputer screen, feeling a heavy emptiness rather than pain.


    It''s a strange feeling, hard to describe.


    Then, my phone rang. It was Grant. ncing towards his office, I noted he hadn''t arrived yet.


    "Mr. Smith," I answered.


    "Director Hudson, take the next


    couple of days off," Grant''s


    was thick with sleepiness, hi


    was probably still in bed.


    "What do you mean, Mr. Smith?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.


    he


    "Don''t get it twisted. You''ve just been working too hard. Consider this a mini-break, with pay," he rified.


    Too hard? Had I?


    I could tell there was more to it. "Mr. Smith, I''ll make sure to reduce my leave days," I made my position clear.


    He quickly responded, "You''re


    overthinking it. I didn''t mean it like


    el


    that. Ourpany values its employees, especially a gem dike you."


    His attempt at ttery fell t with me, too savvy for such obvious ploys.


    Recalling previous incidents, I pressed, "Is this the big boss'' idea?"


    Grant choked on his response before dismissing the idea, "Do you think the boss has that much free time?"


    His denial only deepened my suspicion.


    "Director Hudson, consider this an


    official notice. Take the leave, or it''s insubordination, whiches with a penalty," Grant asserted with an authoritative tone.


    After years of working, this was a first for me.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Considering I had already sorted today''s tasks, taking a couple of days off wouldn''t hurt. "Alright," I agreed.


    After the call, I briefed my department''s lead on the day''s ns and potential issues before making my exit. Once in my car, I messaged Jefferson: "Jefferson, help me look into the background of the big boss at ourpany."