Chapter 7 Being publicly humiliated like that, even though Harper no longer had feelings for Dylan, sull left her face burning with embarrassment After dropping his bombshell, Dylan promptly ended the meeting and steered Ruby toward the exit with his hand on the small of her back | Marissa from HR, who'd been hovering anxiously outside, intercepted him with Harper's resignation letter. "Mr. Rodriguez, I need your signature on this resignation paperwork...] Without even glancing at the document, Dyl Dylan scribbled his signature across the bottom, his expression completely disinterested.[] After he'd disappeared down the hallway with Ruby, Harper's teammates swarmed around her, voices overlapping with outrage and support. That was complete bullshit." Trevor famed. "Everyone knows you've carried this department for years.-] Bat Harper remained surprisingly calm She smiled slightly, the signed resignation form now a ticket to freedom In her hand. Honestly, the Director thing doesn't matter anymore," she said quietly. "Ive already decided to leave. Rodriguez just approved my resignation. Today's actually my last day here." She looked around at their shocked faces. "I miss working with all of you. Take care of yourselves, okay?"|| ller announcement stunned the room into silence before erupting into protests.[] "You can't be serious "We should all march into his office right now!" "This is about Ruby isn't it? This is so unprofessional Harper just shook her head with a gentle smile, thanking them individually before returning to her office to pack up her desk After work, she treated everyone to drinks at their favorite bar, saying goodbye and clinked glasses and tearful hugs Back home, the contacted a realtor and listed her apartment at a fireside prite jffold within 24 hours. After finalizing the paperwork, the arranged to move out that weekend.|| Just as she finished handling these detalls, her phone lit up with Jemmas Eace.]] "Harper Tomorrow's my birthday basht Don't tell me it slipped your mind? I've been dying to what you got mer "As if I could forget your birthday." Harper laughed. "Your gift's been wrapped for weeks. I'll definitely swing by tomorrow." Harper had not only prepared jemma's gift but also planned to break the news about her departure. In previous years, desperate to maximize her Dylan exposure, she would arrive at Rodrigue family celebrations embarrassingly early to "help set up- This time, she deliberately waited until the party was in full swing before ordering a rideshare. As usual, the birthday extravaganza was being held at the Rodriguez family estate in Greenwich Having made this pilgrimage countless times over the years, Harper knew every shortest and slipped in through the garden entrance to avoid making a granil entrance In the sprawling living room, they were just bringing out the elaborate cake. Jemma stood in the center of an admiring crowd, radiant in a designer dress Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez flanked her left side, champagne glasses in hand, while Dylan and Ruby completed the picture perfect tables an her right] They looked like a Ralph Lauren ad for the American Dream family!] Hanging back near the catering staff, Harper couldn't help overhearing two servers gossiping|| Can you believe they're back together? After all this time apart? That's sove Nicholas Sparks level romance right there Tor real. That other chick from his office chased him for years and got nowhere. Meanwhile, his ex flies back from Europe and boom-they're joined at the hip again "His parents have been on his case about setting down forever. Now that he's brought her to family functions... I bet we're setting up for a wedding next || In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.