He Vetoed My Promotion for the New Girl Chapter 07

He Vetoed My Promotion for the New Girl Chapter 07

The next day, I didn’t go to work.

I’d already brought home everything that mattered. Diane said she’d handle the rest.

Graham came by. He tried the doorknob, but I didn’t open the door.

He stood outside and told me he’d bought my favorite chicken pot pie.

I didn’t answer.

I quietly packed my bags. My laptop. My bankbook. My clothes and jewelry.

I’d once thought this was the home I’d live in for the rest of my life.

But now that I was leaving, I realized how little I actually wanted to take with me.

With the drawers emptied out, all that was left was a photo album and a pair of plain bands.

On the first page were two young faces in high school uniforms.

We’d taken that picture on our high school graduation day.

I was beaming, and Graham had that faint smile of his.

Sunlight fell around us, bright and warm, making everything look full of promise.

Then came four years of college.

We traveled everywhere on a shoestring budget-beaches, snowy mountains, quiet water towns, wide-open

plains.

We made it through storms and earthquakes together.

No matter what happened, Graham always held my hand tightly.

The plain bands he’d bought with money from his part-time job glowed softly between our intertwined

fingers.

Later, the rings came off.

And the album stopped being updated.

It had been so long since we’d traveled together or taken a picture together.

He always said we needed to keep our distance.

He always said people finding out about us would only bring trouble.

Well, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore.

And I wouldn’t have to keep waiting for his love that was never going to come.

I closed the album and tossed it back into the drawer, rings and all.

Then I got up, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out without looking back.

Right before my flight took off, I received a message from Graham.

[I’ve already told HR to add you to this round of promotions.]

[Bring your ID when you come to the office. We’ll get our marriage license today.]

[I’ll pick you up after work tonight. We’ll go out to dinner.]

[Happy now?]

I calmly blocked him, deleted his messages, and shut off my phone.

The worst was already over. His concern came too late.

I looked out at the golden sea of clouds beyond the window.

And it hit me-everything I’d been trapped by was only ever in my own head.

Once I let go, everything felt free.

Havenport, here I come!

Meanwhile.

Graham kept checking his watch during the meeting.

He was clearly distracted, but there was a faint smile at the corners of his lips.

After the meeting, his secretary couldn’t help asking, “Mr. Thorne, anything to celebrate today?”

Graham said it straight. “Yeah. Getting married with my fiancée.”

He hadn’t planned to do it so soon.

But after seeing Elara’s tears the night before, he couldn’t bear to keep her waiting.

Once they were legally married, maybe she’d finally feel secure.

Twelve years together. He was willing to compromise if it meant giving her peace of mind.

But as quitting time approached, Elara still hadn’t shown up at the office. Her phone was off.

Graham frowned and sent her a message.

[Where are you?]

It failed to send.

He stared at it for a few seconds. Then he laughed in disbelief.

She’d really gotten bold enough to delete and block him?

He got up and headed down to Marketing, planning to ask Diane to help him reach her.

Instead, he saw everyone gathered around Mira.

“Oh my God. Did Elara really make up all that stuff in the group chat yesterday and piss Mr. Thorne off?”

“Mr. Thorne doesn’t mess around. He’s locking it down. Let’s see what that groupie says now.”

“That’s our boss. He really knows how to protect his wife.”

“Too bad that groupie is suspended and isn’t here. I would’ve loved to see her face.”

Someone nudged Mira.

“Future Mrs. Thorne, you’d better look out for us.”

A surge of anger shot through Graham.

He knew Elara didn’t get along great with her coworkers.

But he had no idea they’d been running their mouths about her like this.

“Who gave you permission to talk like this at work?”

Graham strode forward.

Someone completely missed the warning in his voice and hurried over to flatter him.

“Congrats, Mr. Thorne. You’re finally getting married and getting rid of that groupie Elara.”

Graham stopped dead.

He’d heard Elara use that phrase countless times.

Every time, he’d told her not to overthink it.

But hearing it now, from their mouths, it hit differently.

His eyes turned cold.

“You’re not coming in tomorrow.”

The employee froze.

Someone immediately nudged Mira, urging her to say something.

Mira stepped forward. “Graham, everyone didn’t-”

“What did you just call me?”

Graham looked at her coldly.

“Mira, who gave you the nerve to act cozy with me at the office?”

Everyone exchanged confused looks. Nobody understood what was going on.

Someone whispered boldly, “Wait, isn’t Mr. Thorne supposed to marry Mira?”

Mira looked away awkwardly.

Graham got everything in an instant.

He gave a cold laugh.

“Listen carefully.”

“My future wife is Elara.”

“Mira, you should be grateful. The only reason I gave you a chance was because you reminded me of Elara.”

“You’re not coming in tomorrow.”

“And everyone here who has been spreading lies about my wife can get out of this company.”