The Group Chat That Shipped Them, The Application I Sent Chapter 03

The Group Chat That Shipped Them, The Application I Sent Chapter 03

The next morning, everyone gathered around Sienna in the break room, gossiping.

“Sienna, that selfie you posted definitely wasn’t taken at your place. No way. Tell me I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing!”

“You stayed over at Mr. Sterling’s?”

“And that pajama set looks like a matching couple’s set. Oh my God, you two are moving fast!”

“I told you Mr. Sterling was into you! He personally brought you in when you started. Even back then, he had that whole ‘She’s mine, I’ve got her back’ vibe.”

“And remember when your blood sugar dropped a few days ago and you almost passed out? The company suddenly added afternoon snacks the very next day.”

My hand froze on the doorknob.

That day, Sienna and I had stayed late to fix some data. Neither of us had gotten a chance to eat lunch, and by the afternoon, we’d both nearly collapsed in the break room.

Ethan had seen me.

But he’d walked right past me to catch Sienna.

The panic in his eyes had looked genuine.

When he saw how angry I was afterward, he’d explained, “You have me, but Sienna doesn’t have a boyfriend. If she gets hurt on my watch, that’s my responsibility. I was only looking out for her because she’s your friend. What? Are you seriously jealous of your own best friend?”

I didn’t stick around to hear any more of their teasing. I turned and walked away.

Then Cody Jenkins from HR came charging in, practically bursting with excitement.

“Guys, I’ve got two huge pieces of gossip! Mr. Sterling is apparently getting married! I just overheard him talking about ordering an engagement ring!”

The teasing around Sienna got even louder.

“Well, Sienna, sounds like wedding bells are coming!”

Cody cleared his throat.

“And here’s the second bombshell! Mr. Sterling just approved a promotion list. I heard someone from Sienna’s team is on it.”

Everyone crowded around Sienna, practically screaming.

“Who else could it be?”

“I’m calling it now. Mrs. Sterling!”

Sienna gave a modest little smile.

“It might not be me. Clara’s been here longer than I have.”

I didn’t stay to hear them speculate any further.

Brenda Kowalski, the head of HR, had received my resignation and called me into her office.

“Clara, your campaign work, performance, and numbers have all been excellent. What happened? Why are you suddenly leaving?”

I lowered my head.

“Ms. Kowalski, the promotion Mr. Sterling just approved… Is it mine?”

She fell silent.

I continued, “I’ve been here for three years. Everyone who started around the same time as me has moved up to a team lead position. I’m the only one who’s still exactly where I started.”

Every year, when HR prepared the promotion list, my name had been submitted to Ethan.

Every year, he’d found some minor excuse to reject my promotion.

Brenda frowned.

“Clara, did you do something to upset Mr. Sterling? Maybe you should apologize to him.”

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

I hadn’t done anything to offend him.

I’d just been secretly dating him for three years.

Brenda didn’t try to talk me out of it again.

“Employees at your level don’t need executive approval to resign. If you’re sure you want to leave, I’ll process it.”

After I finished the resignation paperwork, Ethan called an all-hands meeting.

His expression was grim.

“The report submitted by the Content Marketing Team two days ago contained data errors that the client caught immediately.”

His eyes swept across the room.

“Clara Hayes, that’s your team, isn’t it? If you can’t handle being acting team lead, then give the position to someone who can. One month’s pay will be deducted from your salary. Sienna Bennett will take over as team lead.”

Several coworkers immediately perked up at the news and exchanged excited congratulations with Sienna.

I didn’t react.

I just stared at the data chart in front of me.

That was the exact report Sienna and I had stayed late to finish a few days ago.

Ethan knew perfectly well that I hadn’t been responsible for that project.

I dug my nails into my palm, feeling something inside me go cold.

Sienna made the mistake, I took the blame, and Ethan stripped me of my position just to promote her.

I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

How ironic.

Ethan noticed my expression and frowned slightly.

After the meeting, he called me into his office.

“The data was mishandled by Sienna, that’s true. But when a team member makes a mistake, it reflects a failure in management. I’m demoting you and docking your pay. Do you have a problem with that?”

My expression didn’t change.

I answered in a completely professional tone.

“No. You’re the CEO. I’m sure you have your reasons.”

His brow furrowed even deeper, but he said nothing. He simply waved me out.

When I walked out of his office, Sienna approached me with a cup of coffee in both hands.

“Clara, do you want some coffee?”

I gently pushed her hand away.

“No, thanks.”