Chapter 96


    ra had finally broken free. She was no longer his caged songbird and was herself once


    more.


    But oh, how her heart ached.


    ra spent a quiet evening alone, her thoughts her onlypany.


    The next morning, as Anders arrived, she was hunched over herptop, deeply engrossed in


    whatever task was at hand.


    “ra,” Anders called out with a hint of concern.


    She lifted her head, greeting him with a faint smile. “Anders, just give me a second to send off this


    resignation letter, and I’ll be all yours.”


    He stood in the living room, silently observing her. The absence of any visible anguish on her face,


    reced with a rare ease and contentment, didn’t fool him. He knew this was ra in disguise; the


    more she hurt, the more she pretended to be fine.


    His voice was soft as he approached her. “I’ve booked a tee time with Marco; he’s been itching to


    challenge you on the golf course.”


    “Sounds like fun. I could use the exercise,” she replied cheerfully, her fingers still dancing across the


    keyboard.


    That was when ra’s phone rang. Recognizing her father’s number, she quickly answered. “ra,


    what’s going on with you andn?” he asked, already hinting at knowing something was amiss.


    After a brief pause, she replied, “Dad, I broke up with him.”


    Casey wasn’t taken aback. In fact, he responded calmly, “If it’s not right, don’t force yourself to be


    with him. Don’tpromise for my sake. If you guys have called it quits, that’s fine. I won’t let you


    suffer.”


    “Dad, did the project get canned?”


    “Yes, our dealings with the Hayes family have all been halted. They paid a decent sum in damages,


    so we didn’t lose out. It’s probably for the best. Otherwise, I’d always fear I’d traded my daughter’s


    happiness for business opportunities.”


    Detecting a hint of sadness in her father’s voice, ra quickly reassured him, “Dad, don’t overwork


    yourself anymore. I’ll take care of you.”


    “Alright, I’ll hold you to that. Come over for dinner when you can; I’ll whip up something delicious.”


    ra was deeply moved by her father’s words, her eyes welling up as she agreed.


    At nine in the morning, the atmosphere in the president’s office at Hayes Corporation was stifling.


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    Dawson lingered at the door, gathering his courage before knocking. “Mr. Hayes,” he said


    tentatively, eyeing his boss‘ dark expression.


    “I’ve just received a resignation email from Ms. ra. She sent it to both you and the HR director.


    What would you like to do?”


    A chilling undercurrent intensified inn’s eyes. “Since when can a middle–management resignation


    be settled with a mere email?”


    Dawson caught on quickly, probing, “So, should I ask Ms. ra toe over and tender her


    resignation in person?”


    Without hesitation, ra responded, “Sure, I’ll be right there.”


    Half an hourter, ra stood atn’s office door, dressed in a cream silk blouse and a ck pencil


    skirt. Her wavy, chestnut hair fell naturally over her shoulders, framing her poised and professional


    demeanor. There was no trace of sorrow on her face, only a sereneposure.


    She knocked gently and announced in a calm voice, “Mr. Hayes, I’m here to resign officially.”