“We’ve fulfilled our obligations, and if you haven’t generated value for the company, then we can restrain you according to the company’s rules and regulations. That’s the trump card for all employers.”

I can’t fire you, but I can freeze you out, or I can assign you the toughest and most tiring tasks until you can’t take it anymore and ask to terminate the contract yourself.

Phoebe grasped the meaning and felt the frustration in her chest clear away. She stood up and patted John’s shoulder with force,” John, you’ve got potential, a bright future ahead.” John touched his nose, his face a picture of modesty.

“Come on, I’ll treat you to barbecue!”

After finishing their barbecue past midnight, John dropped Phoebe off at the Imperial Apartment and watched her enter the complex before instructing the driver to leave.

The taxi driver, a hearty man from the northeast, asked, “Buddy, that girl your girlfriend?”

John looked horrified, “No, that’s my boss.”

“Boss? So young?” The driver was surprised and began to inquire about their company, and upon hearing it was an entertainment firm, he gave a thumbs-up and expressed his candid views on the entertainment industry. John turned his head to look out the car window at the quiet streets of the night, suddenly feeling a profound loneliness.

Phoebe arrived home to find the lights in the living room still on. She changed her shoes and walked in to see Theodore and Vanessa sitting on the couch.

They sat neither close nor far from each other, in a state that was more than friendship but less than lovers. She entered the living room, and Theodore was the first to ask, “Why so late? Worked overtime again?”

Phoebe glanced at Vanessa and replied indifferently, “No, I went out for barbecue with a colleague. Have you guys eaten?”

Upon hearing she went out with a colleague, Theodore’s mood was complex, and his tone held a hint of sourness, “It’s this late, what do you think?”

Phoebe went to the kitchen, heated two packs of medicine, and sat down on the single-seater sofa next to Theodore. She handed him a pack, “What did you guys have for dinner?”

“Ordered takeout.” Theodore tore open the plastic and drank with a frown, “Was the barbecue good? Who did you go with?”

Vanessa, sitting beside them, caught a distinct whiff of jealousy. She looked at Theodore, then at Phoebe, feeling a bit superfluous.

“Was it Edward?” Vanessa leaned in slightly with a mischievous smile, “You’re still in touch with him, aren’t you?”

Phoebe pursed her lips, noticing Theodore’s complexion worsen visibly, and said, “No, it was John, who had to work overtime with me.”

“Speaking of which, today’s overtime is all thanks to Miss Fitzroy. If you can’t manage your own Facebook, then hand over the account to the company.”

Vanessa hadn’t expected Phoebe to challenge her in front of Theodore. She pouted, looking aggrieved, “Theodore, it wasn’t on purpose, I just posted on Facebook.”

Phoebe scoffed, “Yeah, your one Facebook post dragged the entire QUEEN Entertainment company through the mud, making everyone clean up after you. You have the nerve to sit here and play innocent, don’t you?” “Phoebe!” Theodore’s voice carried a warning as he looked at her.

When it came to business, Phoebe was never afraid of Theodore. She looked him in the eyes and said, “You can continue to protect her, let her cause even bigger problems.”

The air was charged, as if it might explode at any second.

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