Luke glanced at the metal barrel, thick black smoke curling upward. He wondered if Vespera was insane. "Why not just throw the trash away?" Vespera replied, "It's cleaner to burn it." His brows furrowed. Neither spoke as they stood in the courtyard, watching the last light fade into darkness.

On Friday morning, Vespera received a call from Forlese, the car workshop, informing her that her car was ready. After collecting it, she remembered the suit she’d promised Raymond. After a brief pause, she dialed his number. She told him the car was repaired, then sent the report and invoice. She added, "Pardon me for asking, but what are your boss's height, weight, and measurements?" Suits were sold in sets; replacing only the jacket wouldn't match the trousers. Since he’d lent her his jacket, proper return was only right. Raymond remained silent. Vespera waited, then considered he might need to ask his boss. She didn't dwell on it.

At the next intersection, her phone rang—the finance manager, confirming figures. Her forehead wound was mostly healed, so she turned the car around and headed to the office. Having been on leave, her subordinates swarmed her with concern upon her return to the project department. She hadn't yet told them about her resignation; she felt guilty about the disruption a new boss would cause.

After visiting the finance department, Vespera tackled her backlog. It wasn't until late afternoon that she drafted her resignation letter, intending to give it to Luke before leaving. However, a trip to the break room led her to overhear a conversation that sickened her.

"The secretaries said Ms. Tina Sowle of the Vortex Group started today. Mr. Munoz gave her the office next to his." "Are the Sowle and Munoz families planning a marriage alliance?" "Have you forgotten Ms. Gildon is Mr. Munoz's girlfriend? What happens to her if they're engaged?"

Silence fell. After exchanging glances, the group sighed and returned to their coffee, whispering about Tina's shamelessness, Vespera's plight, and Luke's heartlessness. Vespera listened quietly, then silently returned to her office. She placed her empty cup on her desk, stared blankly, then picked up her resignation letter. The sooner she resigned, the sooner she'd be free.

She headed upstairs, but Osbert, flustered, blocked her path to Luke's office. "Mr. Munoz is in a meeting. It's not a good time." Vespera nodded. As Osbert relaxed, she swiftly turned, grasped the doorknob, opened the door, and pushed it forcefully.

She found herself insufferable. Why was she still fighting a man she was leaving? Why was she making herself miserable? But people were emotional slaves; sometimes, they couldn't help themselves.

A scream pierced the air. Tina, in a bath towel, was sprawled on Luke's back. The noise startled her; she nearly slipped. Luke's smile froze. Osbert nervously covered his eyes, stammering, "M-Ms. Gildon, Ms. Sowle was moving files, got sweaty, so she… she showered. I didn't want you to misunderstand…"

Vespera looked at him with detached amusement. "Mr. Madron, a top graduate from a prestigious university, and you're one step from being a pimp."

She walked to the desk. Tina straightened and bellowed, "What do you mean? Who do you think you are? How dare a manager barge in like that? You're fired! Don't come tomorrow!"

Vespera calmly placed her resignation letter down. "I'm resigning. I'll be traveling soon and need to prepare. I won't be in from tomorrow, but I'll return for the handover."

Luke avoided her gaze. After a silence, he said, "Do as you wish."

Vespera nodded. "Alright." She looked at Tina, then back to Luke. "Well, carry on with your meeting."

She’d barely moved when Tina shrieked, "You have no say! Who do you think you are? Luke doesn't love you—he loves me! Do you know how many nights we've—"

"Enough!" Luke snapped.

Vespera inhaled deeply, her fingers curling. Stiffening, she turned. "Let her finish. I'd love to see how thick-skinned the Sowle family's precious daughter is." She glared at Tina. "Love or not, you're a mistress. The moment I opened this door, I ensured one thing—you two will never wash off the stain of being cheating assholes. Get that?"

"How dare you call me shameless!" Tina shrieked, lunging. Vespera didn't flinch. With a sharp slap, she struck Tina's face. As Tina retaliated, Vespera yanked off her towel, shoved her down, and pressed her head to the floor.

Before she could hold her for long, a sudden force yanked Vespera away. She stumbled backward, her lower back hitting the desk’s sharp edge. A wave of pain shot up her spine. For a moment, she couldn’t speak.