"I've come to tender my resignation," I said, striving to maintain a casual tone.

"Resignation? Why would you resign? The boss was just asking me about the top performers in the workshop—thinking of promoting someone to be my assistant. I mentioned you! And now you want to quit?" The manager was visibly caught off guard by my abrupt announcement.

"I must resign," I declared resolutely.

"Reason? Without a valid reason, I won't approve it," he replied, frowning. It was clear he thought I was joking. After all, we usually got along well, and he had always held me in high regard.

Standing before his desk, I felt a pang of unease but mustered my courage and said,"If I told you I'm the boss's ex-boyfriend, would you believe me?"

He looked up, a mocking smile spreading across his face."Ex-boyfriend? Why not claim you're God while you're at it? That's hilarious!" His laughter reverberated through the office, grating on my ears. But as he caught sight of the serious expression on my face, his laughter abruptly ceased."Really?"

I nodded firmly."Really."

His expression shifted from ridicule to bewilderment, his brows furrowing as he struggled to process the revelation."I see," he muttered.

I replied coldly,"What use is your understanding? Just sign it."

The manager sighed, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness."Even if I sign it now, it's useless."

I froze, a wave of unease washing over me."Why?"

"The boss issued a directive—no resignations are to be approved without her personal consent," he explained, clearly exasperated.

I felt a surge of anger, almost leaping out of my skin."Then I won't show up tomorrow. How about that?"

The manager cast me a glance, his tone laced with a hint of mockery."What do you think, you fool? If you don't show up, you'll lose nearly a month's salary."

Frustration churned within me as I calculated my earnings for the period. With a sigh, I muttered,"Yeah, that's at least 4,000."

Deflated, I softened my tone slightly."Fine, you sign it first. I'll take it to her."

The manager's eyes widened in disbelief."You dare to go to her?"

I smirked coldly."Why wouldn't I dare? I'm not afraid of her."

Shaking his head, he stated firmly,"I'm not signing. Go to her directly."

With a shrug of resignation, I muttered,"Coward."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Grabbing the resignation letter from his desk, I steeled myself and headed straight for the chairman's office. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

"Come in," came the familiar voice from within—calm yet laced with authority. Drawing another deep breath, I pushed the door open. The sight inside greeted me: her boyfriend bustling around, helping her organize files. As I entered, his gaze turned curious and wary, tinged with jealousy, as if silently questioning my presence.

I approached her desk, placed the resignation letter on it, and said firmly,"I'm resigning. The manager said you need to sign it. So sign."

She looked up, her eyebrows arching slightly in surprise at my sudden declaration."Reason?" she asked, her voice composed but commanding, leaving no room for defiance.

"I don't want to work here anymore," I answered with forced courage, though unease churned within me.

"Why?" Her gaze sharpened, as though she could pierce through my thoughts.

I hastily fabricated an excuse."The long hours leave me with no time to spend with my girlfriend."

She pondered for a moment, as if weighing her options, then said,"I was planning to transfer you to assist your manager. Eight-hour days, regular shifts. That should suffice, shouldn't it?"

To be honest, the offer was tempting. I had always yearned for a normal schedule, but opportunities like this had never come my way."That's not necessary. I think…" I began, but she cut me off abruptly.

"Get out," she said to her boyfriend, her tone full of unquestionable command.

Resigned, he gathered his belongings, casting me a complex look before leaving. Poor guy—dating her must be a torment. Once upon a time, I… but a mental slap snapped me back to reality.

Her eyes, tinged with impatience, bore into me."What do you think?"

"Think about what?" I stammered, momentarily at a loss.

"The words you just said," she pressed, her voice now edged with severity.

"Nothing. Just approve it. There are plenty of workers below—just pick one to fill in," I attempted to mask my tension with a casual tone.

She let out a cold laugh, shaking her head."Pick one at random? Do you think this is a card game?" After a pause, she seemed to come to a decision."Take it back. I'm not approving it."

"What?" I could hardly believe my ears.

"I said I'm not approving it. Are you deaf, or just stupid?" Her voice carried a palpable irritation.

"I don't want to work here anymore," I repeated, hoping my resolve might sway her decision.

"Then you can leave, but according to our previous policy, you won't receive your salary." Her tone was icy, her words cutting like a blade, leaving a sharp ache in my chest. Her face remained impassive, as though she were discussing something trivial and unimportant.

"You!" Rage rendered me speechless, my chest tightening as if a heavy stone pressed down on it, making it hard to breathe.

She tilted her head slightly, revealing her delicate neck, and looked at me with a haughty expression."Bring your girlfriend to me, and maybe I'll consider it," she said, her tone laced with a hint of provocation, as though daring me to prove her wrong.

"Fine, I'll bring her here. But you can't withhold my salary," I retorted through gritted teeth, though my heart thudded with apprehension.

"Your paltry salary means nothing to me," she scoffed, her disdainful smile implying that my earnings were no more than scraps of paper in her eyes.

"Then give it to me now," I shot back, refusing to back down while mentally bracing for her next challenge.

"Not so fast. Bring your girlfriend first. Or is it that someone here doesn't actually have one?" Her mocking tone was heavy with insinuation, as though she were certain of her own superiority.

"Ridiculous. Of course, I have a girlfriend. I'll bring her right now," I bluffed, panic bubbling beneath the surface as I forced myself to stay composed.

"Why bother going yourself? Wasn't it your style to summon people with a single phone call in the past?" Her words cut like a dagger, striking a raw nerve. Sweat began to bead on my forehead. Her grudge was relentless. I had no choice—I pulled out my phone.