Alice Warren pushed open the door to Hugo Quinn’s office, and when she saw the two people embracing inside, her eyes stung unbearably. She had been at this man’s side for several years, yet she couldn’t even get him to say a few kind words to her, while Eleanor Hollis had been here for such a short time and could sit in his arms and act spoiled. The initial grief upon entering was instantly replaced by resentment, and Alice’s gaze, like a venomous snake, tightly wrapped around Eleanor Hollis. Eleanor Hollis rose from Hugo Quinn’s embrace. "Someone’s here to see you." Only then did Hugo Quinn realize Alice Warren had arrived. His eyebrows furrowed, and the gentle smile on his face slowly faded, a clear show of favoritism. Alice Warren felt intensely bitter. "President, the Human Resources Department wants to fire me. I ask myself, after years of dedicated service to the company, why would they suddenly make this decision?" Alice Warren’s hands clenched tightly. She had worked tirelessly all these years, hoping that this man would notice her. Yet he was willing to fire her over Eleanor Hollis, which was truly disheartening. "It’s not the Human Resources Department; it’s my decision. As for the reason, you know it well enough yourself." Hugo Quinn’s voice was calm, as if firing her was just a trivial matter. Alice Warren looked at him in disbelief, not expecting him to admit it so straightforwardly. "Why? President Quinn, I truly don’t understand. Is it because of a problem with my work? As you know, I’ve been diligent in my work these years, never having made any mistakes. If it’s because of a few words from a woman that you’re deciding to fire me, this will only chill the hearts of the company’s employees." Eleanor Hollis stood by. She had come to see Hugo Quinn in a moment of heated impulse but was now completely calm again. Firing Alice Warren at this moment would definitely have a negative impact on Hugo Quinn. She initially wanted to say a few words in Alice’s defense or suggest an apology would suffice, but Hugo Quinn evidently didn’t see it that way. "Indeed, your work is good, but my company doesn’t need someone with poor character. Do you really think I don’t know how you managed to take Eleanor Hollis’s current position? Alice, during that major incident, the company lost ten million. Although that’s not small change to me, you pushed all the blame onto others to stabilize your position. I won’t keep someone who harms their colleagues like that." Alice Warren’s face turned pale. If she had to admit any missteps over the years, it would likely be that incident. Back then, while signing a contract with another company, she was so preoccupied with the man in front of her that she zoned out during negotiations, accidentally adding an extra zero on the contract. Although the upper management later intervened to salvage the contract, the loss was still ten million. Frightened, she immediately shifted the blame to another woman, who was naturally fired. Then she assumed that woman’s position, taking on the demeanor of a victor. "President, regarding that matter, I..." She wanted to explain, but Hugo Quinn interrupted her. "I understood the whole story long ago. If you continue to make a scene in the office, you won’t receive a cent of your severance." Alice Warren’s face turned white. When she joined the company, she had signed a contract guaranteeing her rights. If dismissed without cause, the company would compensate her with several months’ bonuses. If she continued to stand here now, then it wouldn’t be considered an unjust dismissal. Her venomous gaze lingered on Eleanor Hollis before she snorted coldly and left. Eleanor Hollis felt a chill from that gaze. It wasn’t until the office door closed again that she turned to Hugo Quinn. "So she had wronged others before." Hugo Quinn glanced at her. In the workplace, this is unavoidable, merely a survival tactic. Typically, newcomers, if unlucky, would end up being scapegoats and leave. Normally, he wouldn’t interfere, but since this time involved Eleanor Hollis, he had to. When Alice Warren left the office, everyone craned their necks in curiosity, wanting to know if she would ultimately be fired. When they saw her packing up, they were all taken aback. All because of a few words from Eleanor Hollis, such a longstanding employee as Alice Warren was dismissed; Eleanor Hollis was indeed formidable. Internally, everyone grumbled. Those who once sought to flatter Alice Warren now dared not utter a word, fearing Eleanor Hollis would mark them as enemies, and subsequently life in the company would become difficult. Alice Warren gritted her teeth, packed her belongings, and left carrying a cardboard box, her palms bleeding from her own pinching. She hated Eleanor Hollis, wishing she had placed more venomous snakes in the other’s desk drawer back then, perhaps directly poisoning that wench! After Alice Warren left, whispers immediately filled the company, everyone discussing Eleanor Hollis’s standing in the president’s eyes. With Alice Warren gone, they understood that their fate was in Eleanor Hollis’s hands. Who would dare provoke her now? She only had a high school diploma and was divorced. But so what? As long as the president was fond of her, no one dared speak against it. Once Eleanor Hollis stepped out of the office, she found everyone had been looking at the office doorway, but upon seeing her, they immediately lowered their heads, pretending not to see her, completely different from earlier when they joined Alice Warren in mocking her. This is probably what they call killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. Eleanor Hollis was quite satisfied with the current state. After all, she never planned on forming any close relationships. There are no true friends in the workplace. In the afternoon, Hugo Quinn directly approached her and tapped on her desk. Only then did Eleanor Hollis remember telling Marcus last time that when she had free time, she would pick him up from school. Although it wasn’t time to clock off, with President Quinn escorting her, no one would dare say anything. Soon, the two arrived at Marcus’s primary school entrance. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥 Marcus recognized Hugo Quinn’s car and quickly walked over when he saw it pulling to a stop. Hugo Quinn and Eleanor Hollis slowly got off the car, smiling as they saw him. Marcus paused, realizing his mommy was here too. School had just ended, and the entrance was crowded with students, several of whom were from Marcus’s class. They had previously suspected Marcus didn’t have a mommy, but upon seeing her, so young and beautiful, they instantly felt envious. Marcus sensed the envious gazes around him, lifted his chin high, and dove into Eleanor Hollis’s embrace like a bird returning home. He charged into Eleanor Hollis so hard that she staggered back a few steps. "Marcus, let’s go home." Marcus responded happily, then climbed into the car.