Part 2My Husband's Assistant Fooled Me With a So-Called Official Announcement. I Put In So Much Effort, Only to End up Losing My Entire Year-End Bonus as Punishment!

As I took out the appointment letter, everyone froze for a moment.

The team members immediately started cheering me on, clapping loudly and saying.

"Looks like Ms. Pearson has really realized her mistake. Mr. Reed, please forgive her!"

"Yeah, I can see that Natalie is being so generous. There must be a misunderstanding. She's genuinely wishing you well, Ms. Clarke."

The atmosphere heated up quickly.

Megan tightly gripped the appointment letter, her eyes darting over my high-end evening gown. She spoke with a hint of grievance.

"But Natalie, wearing such a beautiful dress, isn't it just to steal the spotlight..."

Everyone in the room was taken aback. They didn't expect Megan to be so persistent, and they all turned to look at me.

As for her provocation, my husband Timothy's expression was unclear, and he didn't say anything.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Ten years ago, I had an offer from a major company overseas, with a salary of several million dollars.

But because of Timothy's plea, I chose to eat humble pie with him and start from scratch.

He cried and promised he wouldn't forget my sacrifices. He said that once the company went public, we'd announce our partnership, and I'd become the vice president with shares in the company.

But now, as the company is about to go public, all of his favoritism has been given to a newcomer who's only been with the company for six months.

I took a deep breath and began to put on my coat.

"Sorry, it won't happen again."

I thought, "No more expectations from Timothy."

I said this and walked out of the meeting room.

Outside the company, the cold wind blew, stinging my skin.

I coughed quietly.

The doctor had told me that my lungs were damaged from the experiments, and I could no longer stay up late or overwork.

Timothy still didn't know that the key formula for this project was something I had worked tirelessly on without sleep.

In three days, the project was due for delivery.

If there were no results, Timothy would be facing a ten-million-dollar compensation bill.

Maybe it was time for me to live my own life instead of continuing to pour my heart and soul into someone who didn't love me.

I was lost in thought. Something hit me hard on the back of my head.

I turned around and saw Megan glaring at me with malice.

The appointment letter for the project manager position was scattered on the floor.

"Natalie, how stupid can you be? I pretended to tell you that Timothy was going to announce your partnership, and you actually believed it!"

A chill ran through me.

Because, deep down, I had always dreamed of making that announcement with Timothy.

I was so overjoyed that I couldn't help but believe it.

I remained silent, but Megan pushed further.

"Unfortunately, it seems Timothy likes me more. Don't think you can keep your little project manager position. If I cry, I can have you kicked out of the company."

Megan was always two-faced. After I wasn't happy with her during the interview, Timothy personally recruited her into the company, and since then, she has made it her mission to make my life miserable.

She would provoke me, then cry in front of everyone, making Timothy and me argue and accusing me of being jealous.

Now, all I felt was how childish I had been.

I had actually fought for Timothy's affection with someone like her.

I turned to leave.

But Megan's eyes flashed, and she suddenly slapped herself hard, causing her thin face to turn red.

Before I could even react, she picked up the appointment letter from the floor with tear-filled eyes, bent over humbly, and handed it to me with trembling hands.

"Natalie, I know you don't like me. It's fine if you hit or scold me, just please stay in the company. If you take the appointment letter, I'll voluntarily resign and have Timothy know."

The next moment, I heard Timothy's furious roar.

"Natalie, have you lost your mind?!"

He threw his coat on the ground and raised his hand to slap me.

"Megan was just joking around, and now you're throwing a tantrum. You're even hitting people to get your position back. When did you become so violent?!"

He looked like a protective father animal guarding its cubs.

I licked the broken skin inside my mouth, continuously mocking myself in my heart.

Whenever Megan and I had a conflict, Timothy would jump to conclusions, stubbornly believing I was bullying her.

In the past, I would argue until my lips were dry, feeling aggrieved.

Now, I was simply tired.

I smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you."

Timothy's anger immediately subsided, and he froze, asking, "Thank you for what?"

My tone was calm. "Thank you for making me realize that in your heart, I'm just a petty, scheming person full of jealousy."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Timothy shuddered.

He took a step forward, instinctively grabbing my arm, his touch cold as ice.

In the harsh winter, the tip of my nose was already red from the cold.

He hastily picked up the coat on the ground and shoved it into my hands. "You... It's freezing out. Put on the coat. As for the project manager position, I'll think about it."

When Megan heard Timothy was considering the project manager role, she immediately panicked. With a sense of indignation, she cried out, "Timothy, I know Natalie is an old member of the company, and I'll never compare to the years of friendship you two share. Please don't fight over me. I'll go to HR and resign right now!"

She tightly gripped her resignation letter and rushed back to the company.

As she climbed the steps, her body swayed, and she clumsily pretended to trip, her knee hitting the step with a loud thud. She clutched her knee and cried out in pain.

Timothy widened his eyes, looking between the pain-stricken Megan and me, who was about to leave.

After hesitating for a moment, he hurriedly said to me, "Natalie, go home first. I'll talk to you later."

Then, without a second thought, he ran toward Megan.