This Time He Pursues Me With All Chapter 117

The next day, not long after I arrived at the office, the HR manager called me down. I sat in the stiff chair across from his desk, my hands folded in my lap.

"Ms. Bennett, I’ll get straight to the point," Mr. Henderson said. He slid a document across the desk. "Your employment is being terminated. This is your separation agreement. Please sign it."

I froze. I stared at the bold letters on the page. Terminated?

Henderson cleared his throat. "Rest assured, the company is providing a compensation package. The finance department will wire the money to your account shortly, along with this month’s salary."

I swallowed hard. My throat felt dry. "I want to know the reason."

"This is a direct instruction from the Chairman," Henderson said. He looked uncomfortable. "We don’t know the details. Ms. Bennett, did you offend Chairman Garrison?"

I frowned. I thought for a long time, but I couldn't recall doing anything specific to set Thomas Garrison off. I had just saved his son from a scandal last night.

"Ms. Bennett, regardless of the reason, please sign the contract," Henderson pressed. "The Chairman was very clear. He wants this finalized today. Please don't make this difficult for us."

He pushed the pen toward me.

I looked up. "Can I speak to the Chairman first?"

Firing me was fine, but I deserved an explanation.

I walked up to the executive floor. Thomas Garrison’s office door was closed. His secretary, Rachel, stood up immediately to block my path.

"Ms. Bennett," she said. "The Chairman isn't feeling well. He didn't come in today."

I looked at the closed door. I knew he was probably in there.

"Rachel, I just want to ask—"

"Please, just sign the papers," Rachel interrupted, her voice lowered. "He said you don't need to come in starting tomorrow." She gave me a sympathetic look. "Honestly, Maya? This might not be a bad thing for you."

I stood there for a moment. She was right. I had planned to resign anyway. Julian wouldn't let me go, but now his father was forcing me out. Plus, I would get severance pay. It wasn't a terrible outcome.

I didn't argue anymore. I went back to HR and signed the contract.

When I returned to my desk to pack, Sarah called out to me. "Maya, Mr. Garrison wants to see you."

My stomach tightened. "…Okay."

I wondered if Julian knew.

I knocked on his door.

"Come in."

I pushed the door open. Julian was sitting behind his desk. When he saw me, his expression shifted. There was a flicker of unnatural stiffness on his face. I stayed calm. I didn't mention the hotel or the chaos from last night.

"Mr. Garrison. You asked for me."

Julian was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "About last night. I almost dragged you down with me."

I pursed my lips. "You don't need to apologize. You were a victim too." I paused. "What about Victoria? She’s insane. We need to report this to the police."

Julian shook his head, looking defeated. "We can't. She fled the country."

I frowned. She actually got away. I wanted to see her in handcuffs, or at least slap her across the face. She drugged us. Who does that?

Julian suddenly changed the subject. "Sarah said you went to HR earlier. Is something wrong?"

I looked at him. I realized he truly didn't know.

"I went to sign a contract," I said.

"What contract?"

"I was fired," I said simply. "It was the Chairman's order."

"Impossible!" Julian shot up from his chair. His face went red.

"It's true," I said. "I tried to find your father, but his secretary blocked me. He gave the order personally."

Julian’s eyes turned bloodshot. He slammed his hand on the desk. "Why?"

I smiled helplessly. "I don't know."

"And you just signed it?"

"I can't fight him, Julian," I said. "What can I do? Rather than making a scene, I’d rather take the severance pay and leave."

"But you promised me," Julian said, his voice desperate. "You said you'd stay."

I sighed. "Mr. Garrison, I know what you’re thinking. But we aren't possible. Your best choice is Sophia Morgan."

Julian opened his mouth, but I cut him off.

"I enjoyed working with you. I learned a lot. Let’s leave it at that. We should part on good terms. I wish you and Sophia a happy engagement."

I turned around and walked out.

I hadn't been back at my desk for more than a minute when Julian stormed out of his office. He didn't look at me. He rushed toward the elevators, presumably to find his father or chase down answers.

Sarah and Mark, the other assistant, stared at his retreating back. They looked stunned.

They both turned to look at me.

"What's wrong with Mr. Garrison?" Mark asked. "He looks furious."

I didn't explain. I just picked up my box. "Sarah, Mark, I'm leaving the company. I won't be here tomorrow. Come over here, I need to hand over the files."

The two of them stood there in silence.

"That's so sudden!" Sarah gasped.

I smiled. "I know. I didn't know I was getting fired when I woke up this morning, either."

"Wait," Mark said. "Did you quit?"

"The company fired me."

They both looked confused.

"Did you... did you break up with Mr. Sterling?" Sarah whispered, glancing at Julian's empty office.

I laughed. "We were never together."

That was the truth. We slept together once, but we were never together.

"Then why did they fire you?" Mark asked.

"Honestly? I don't know."

They wanted to ask more, but I cut them off. "I don't have much time. I need to show you where the Austin files are."

They shut their mouths and grabbed their notepads.

I spent the next hour explaining the filing system and the pending schedules. I packed my personal items—a spare cardigan, a photo of Amy, my mug. I glanced at Julian's office one last time. He hadn't come back.

That was fine. It was better this way.

I held the cardboard box and smiled at Sarah and Mark. "If you have questions later, you can text me."

They looked sad. "We'll miss you, Maya."

"Goodbye."

I walked out of the building. The air outside was crisp. I felt a strange sense of relief. No more office politics. No more Victoria. No more awkward tension with Julian.

My phone dinged in my pocket.

I shifted the box to one arm and pulled out my phone. I tapped the notification.

My jaw dropped.