After I Left, His Empire Collapsed Chapter 09

After I Left, His Empire Collapsed Chapter 09

I stayed quiet. Head down.

Julian mistook my silence for surrender. He had that look. The one that said he’d already won.

Before he could enjoy it, I spoke.

“Do what you want. I already quit.”

He snapped.

“Still lying. You really think I won’t take action?”

“Fine. You asked for it.”

He pulled out his phone. Called HR.

The moment the line connected, his voice went cold.

“Dock Vanessa’s bonus. This month. All of it.”

He shot me a smug look. Waiting for me to cave.

The HR manager’s voice crackled through the speaker.

“Dock what bonus?”

“Mr. Croft. Sir. Vanessa doesn’t work here anymore. Don’t you remember?”

Julian froze. Face blank.

“When?”

“Half an hour ago. She sent the resignation email. You approved it instantly. I assumed you’d discussed it.”

The realization hit him. Half an hour ago. He’d been busy with Sadie. Trying on dresses. He must’ve hit approve without even reading the subject line.

His face paled.

“Why didn’t you flag something this important?”

The HR manager’s voice trembled.

“Sir. Your instructions. You said only notify you about matters involving Assistant Sadie. Everything else, handle it yourself. Especially anything Vanessa-related. You said not to bother you with her.”

Even with my heart already dead toward him, the words landed.

I knew he didn’t care. I didn’t realize he’d walled me off that completely. Didn’t even want basic work communication.

But it made sense. That neglect was exactly what let me walk away clean.