Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 8: Burning Her Hard Work

The meeting room was in chaos as no one had expected this outcome. None of the executives wanted Natalie to leave the company. They were not happy about Briena's appointment at the cost of losing Natalie. Their displeased gazes told Briena that if not for her, Natalie wouldn't have left. There was anger and blame in their eyes. Even Ivan stayed unusually quiet in his place, as if he was regretting his decision.

Seeing this, Briena was shaking with anger inside but tried her best to maintain her composure on the surface.

"I will talk to her," Briena assured the others and hurried out to follow Natalie, who headed towards her office to gather her things. Once Briena entered the office and closed the door behind her, she spoke. "How does it feel to be given up on what you have been working on for so long?"

Natalie continued to gather her belongings, placing them in a box. "Nothing new to me, and it should be nothing exciting for you either. After all, you must be used to snatching my used things and making them your own."

"You're right, but it's more fun this time," Briena said, a wicked smirk painting her lips. "Not just your man, but what you worked on so hard for the past years will be mine now. All this work you have done here will be in my name."

"Sure, you can have what I leave for you," Natalie replied. She then pulled out all the files from her cabinet and stacked them on the floor. "These are all the perfume formulas I've researched over the years. They even include the ones I've rejected."

"Good for you that you're giving them to me quietly," Briena smirked, her gaze triumphant.

Natalie ignored her and pulled out an expensive wine bottle, a gift from a client she had never dared drink due to its high cost. She treasured it as a showpiece in her office. Opening the cap, she poured all the wine onto the files, soaking them thoroughly. The smell of alcohol filled the air.

"Are you nuts?" Briena exclaimed, trying to stop her, but Natalie pushed her aside. She pulled out a lighter, and in one quick motion, set all the files on fire. Flames quickly engulfed the papers, the fire reflected in Natalie's determined eyes.

the commotion outside Natalie's office, Ivan dashed towards it, ignoring all the employees that

moment he entered the room, Briena immediately clung to his

open as he caught sight of the fire on Natalie's desk, growing steadily stronger with every passing second. Smoke began to fill

of hard work burn to ashes, knowing she was the one who had done it. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, calming her emotions. It was heartbreaking to lose her life's work like this, but she would rather destroy it than to let it fall

when it came to her perfume ideas. If she had achieved greatness

hell did you do?" Ivan demanded, glaring at Natalie, who stood closer

her gaze from the flames to meet Ivan's angry stare. Her cold gaze was

her lips curling into a mocking smile. "All

had nothing left to claim as her own. She knew how valuable Natalie's work was for her own rise, but now everything

two to leave the office,

Natalie demanded, her

grip, his gaze furious. "Do you really have to do this? You don't care about the company and even resort to risking everyone's lives by setting

What if everyone saw what she's truly capable of without my work to prop her up? You're right—I don't care about this company anymore. You made sure of that. This place

withdrew her hand, stepping back to maintain distance from Ivan. Her face was filled with indifference and mockery. "That is my work, and I have the right to do whatever I want with it," she said, glancing up at the ceiling. "The fire safety in your office is not just for show, right?" Just as she finished speaking, the fire alarm rang and the sprinklers activated, drenching everyone

and turned to leave, walking with her back straight and her head held high. Meanwhile, screams and shrieks of surprise filled the air, as everyone tried to protect themselves from getting wet,

mistake by letting her go. Natalie had contributed a lot to