Seven Years Lost: My Firefighter fiancé Saved Everyone But Our Love - Chapter 57: Chapter 57

That afternoon when I headed to the office, I did my makeup for the first time in ages.
Didn't look like I was going to work - looked like I was heading into battle.
Back in my most rebellious year, I'd thrown out the life plan my parents had mapped out for me.
Applied to colleges far from home, nailed the interviews on my own merit.
Even when Noel tried to help me out, I turned him down flat.
After I sat down, he rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.
"You two caused way too much drama this time. Even though you're the victim here, office relationships are still against policy."
I nodded and kept my mouth shut.
But inside, I was already thinking about which companies to apply to.
"We had an emergency meeting this morning. Everyone agreed - Matthias gets fired."
"You've busted your ass for this company for years, we all see that. Grandpa wants to put you in charge of his newest acquisition."
As soon as he said that, I looked up in shock.
Sure, there's less gender discrimination now.
But the old generation still believes family businesses should go to the men.
That's why I'd fought with Grandpa and stormed out in the first place.
Now that my hard work was finally getting recognized, my nose started stinging and I couldn't hold back tears.
Noel's expression softened as he reached over to pat my head.
He was about to say something when the office door slammed open.
Matthias glared at us, barely containing his rage.
"So that's how you got the balls to fire Calla. You're sleeping with upper management."
Matthias was so pissed he wasn't thinking straight.
He's usually Mr. Nice Guy, but now his true colors were showing.
His secretary rushed up behind him, looking ready to cry from panic.
Matthias's accusation made me laugh out loud.
Sexual harassment, spreading rumors about women - it never costs these assholes anything.
Sweep it under the rug today, and tomorrow there'll be five different versions going around.
I walked over and opened the door wide.
Grabbed the first employee I saw and pointed to myself.
"Do you think I deserve my manager position?"
They looked confused at first, but quickly caught on.
"Absolutely. You've worked hard for years. You lead by example."
"You always get us overtime pay and fight for better benefits. Everyone loves working for you."
Hearing that, I nodded with satisfaction.
Then I pulled out my phone, showed Matthias my credentials.
I laughed coldly. "Just because your mind's in the gutter doesn't mean everyone else's is. I got here on pure talent."
"The guy behind me? That's my brother. Same parents, same blood."
"My family has never interfered with my career. Everything I've achieved is through my own hard work."
"What about you? That distant cousin hookup you've got going?"
My hatred for Matthias didn't come out of nowhere.
The first time I felt truly defeated was when I'd worked my ass off on a project proposal, only to get shot down.
Got some bullshit "it's not quite right" excuse.
All because Matthias had some distant relative in corporate who wanted to boost his career.
This company was supposed to be merit-based, fair and square.
I genuinely thought I just wasn't good enough, so I worked even harder.
Until one night, coming back late from overtime, I overheard office gossip.
Skill-wise, Matthias couldn't touch me.
Network-wise, he didn't have shit on me either.
I have no clue how I ever fell for this guy, but right now, I despise him from the bottom of my soul.
I looked up at Matthias with ice-cold eyes.
"Making up lies costs nothing. How can I compete with that? You're getting paid coming and going."
I didn't bother lowering my voice when I said that.
Every rubbernecker outside heard every single word.