Chapter 2 Taking The Blame

Ethan worked at a construction company called Sunbeam Construction Group. Although it wasn't large in scale, it had gained some reputation on the West Coast due to its involvement in several major projects. Ethan served as the project director there, earning a rather substantial salary. That was also the reason he was able to endure three years of exploitation by Olivia and her family. As soon as he entered the company, the general manager, Billy, immediately greeted him with a beaming smile. Billy was an obese man, weighing over six hundred pounds. When he smiled, his face, full of excess fat, would scrunch up, causing his features to press together, making him appear quite comical. “Billy, what happened?” Ethan asked. Billy didn't respond directly. Instead, he put his arm around Ethan's shoulder and headed toward the general manager's office. “Don't be hasty, Ethan. Let's have a chat in my office.” Upon arriving at the office, Billy carefully closed the door behind him. He leisurely made his way to the office chair behind the desk, lit up a cigarette, and then looked at Ethan with a gleeful smile. Ethan also pulled up a chair and sat down, but his unease only intensified. “Billy, can we talk now? Why did you need to see me? Has something gone wrong with the project I'm in charge of?” Billy shook his head, pulled out a contract from the drawer, and tossed it to Ethan. “Take a look at this first.” Ethan took the contract with a puzzled look and began to read through it. It was an agreement about the redevelopment of Old City District with City Hall, a matter with which Ethan was very familiar. After all, he was the one who had initially negotiated that major project. However, it was taken over halfway by Billy. Given that Billy was the general manager, Ethan didn't feel it was his place to say anything further. However, after a while, a serious expression formed on Ethan's face. “Why are their demands so high? If we proceed with this agreement, not only will we not make any profit, but we'll also stand to lose around fifty million! Did you sign this contract?” “No, no, no.” Billy shook his head. Staring into Ethan's eyes, he said, “You were the one who signed this contract.” “Me?” Ethan was taken aback, his expression quickly changing as he stared at Billy. “What do you mean?” “Ethan, you know, this contract is destined to cause a huge loss for the company. As the general manager, I can't bear this responsibility. After much consideration, you are the most suitable one,” said Billy. “After all, you were the one who brought in this project in the first place.” “These aren't the initially agreed upon terms,” Ethan said through gritted teeth. Billy said with a face full of regret, “It's all because of that vixen from City Hall! If she hadn't plied me with so much alcohol, I wouldn't have signed the contract without even reading it. D*mn it! In the end, I signed the contract and didn't even get to sleep with her. What a huge loss! Ethan, as my good buddy, you must help me.” “I refuse,” Ethan rejected without a second thought. If I were to take responsibility for causing such a massive loss to the company, I would undoubtedly lose my job. “Ethan, you need to think this through. You've been with the company for a long time, and I've never mistreated you, haven't I? Besides, your mom needs surgery, doesn't she? I've approved your request for an advance on your salary. On top of that, I'll personally lend you an additional twenty thousand. What do you say?” Billy's words were laced with an underlying threat as he stared at Ethan with a smirk. A flicker of struggle flashed across Ethan's face as he was reminded of his mother. Seeing Ethan waver, Billy quickly struck while the iron was hot. “Ethan, my good buddy, you're just afraid of being fired by the company after taking responsibility, right? Well, I promise you in the name of the company's general manager, you won't be fired. At most, you'll be demoted, but your salary and entitled benefits will remain unchanged. How about it? After all, you know that the company's boss is my brother-in-law, and my words still carry some weight if I talk to him.” Listening to Billy's assurance, Ethan was entirely unconvinced. However, just as Billy had mentioned in the latter part of his speech, the company's boss was his brother-in-law. If Ethan were to reject Billy, Billy might be held accountable, but Ethan would certainly be fired before the matter came to light. Helpless, Ethan had no choice but to stand up, saying in a dispirited manner, “I need to think about this matter.” “You'd better think fast. I'm submitting the contract the day after tomorrow,” Billy said, leaning back in his chair with a cigarette in hand, a smirk playing on his lips. Billy considered himself to know Ethan very well, and he was certain he could manipulate the latter. Ethan nodded, taking steps toward the door. “By the way, can I possibly get my advanced salary now?” “As soon as you agree, I'll immediately transfer the money to you.” Ethan nodded, then walked out of the office door. Ignoring the curious glances from others in the company, Ethan walked straight out of the office. Upon reaching the ground floor, he suddenly felt a craving for a cigarette. Since Olivia disliked the smell of cigarettes, Ethan hadn't smoked a single cigarette in the three years they had been married. At that moment, he had an overwhelming desire to find a quiet corner, squat down, and light up a cigarette. And that was exactly what he did. He crouched by the flower bed beneath the office building, pulling out a cheap cigarette he had just bought from a vending machine. He lit it and took a deep puff. Before he had a chance to reflect, a gentle voice sounded beside him. “It seems you've had a rough day, hasn't it, Mr. Ethan?”