Grace Wu stood outside Rocky Chan's office, the resignation letter in her bag pressing against her side like a weight she hadn't quite learned to carry yet.
She could hear his voice inside—smooth, commanding, the same as always. Anna Feng's softer tones occasionally drifted through, the two of them in quiet conversation.
One year ago, she would have knocked immediately.
Now, she lingered.
Her phone buzzed faintly in her palm. A message from Lilly Li.
Lilly: I'll expect your call after it's done.
A faint smirk tugged at Grace's lips. No turning back now.
She knocked twice, sharp and deliberate.
"Come in," Rocky's voice called.
Grace stepped inside, her expression composed.
Rocky sat behind his expansive desk, one arm draped lazily over the back of his chair. Anna perched beside him, leaning just a little too close to his side, though neither of them acknowledged it.
"Grace," Rocky greeted, flashing his usual easy smile. "About time. Anna was just asking where you disappeared to."
Anna's lips curled faintly.
"You've been hard to track down," Anna added softly.
Grace kept her face neutral.
"I've been tying up loose ends," Grace replied smoothly.
Rocky glanced at the documents in her hand.
"Something important?"
Grace stepped forward, placing the letter carefully on his desk.
"My resignation," she said simply.
The air shifted, subtle but undeniable.
Rocky blinked, leaning forward slightly as if he hadn't heard her correctly.
"Your what?"
Grace clasped her hands loosely in front of her.
"I'm stepping down from my position," she clarified, her tone even. "I've already arranged the transition for the major projects I was overseeing. Anna can handle the rest."
Anna's expression barely flickered, but Grace caught the faint flicker of surprise behind her eyes.
"Grace, come on," Rocky said, leaning back in his chair with a light laugh. "You're joking, right?"
"I'm not," Grace replied without missing a beat.
Rocky's smile faltered.
"You're serious," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "Why now? Is someone offering you more?"
Anna shifted slightly in her seat, gaze flickering between them.
Grace shook her head.
"It's not about money," she said calmly. "I just need a change."
Rocky's brows furrowed, lips parting like he wanted to argue, but Grace continued before he could.
"I've been with Chan Holdings long enough," she added. "It's time for me to move forward."
Rocky stared at her, the easy charm in his expression draining by degrees.
"Grace, we've been through a lot," he said, his voice dipping lower. "You're the one I trust to keep things in line. If this is about—"
"It's not," Grace interrupted gently but firmly.
Rocky's mouth opened slightly, but no words followed.
Anna's gaze lingered on Grace, searching for cracks.
"I'll stay for the next two weeks to make sure the transition goes smoothly," Grace offered, lifting her bag from the chair beside her.
Rocky finally found his voice.
"You sure you're not rushing this?"
Grace smiled faintly.
"I've given it plenty of thought."
The room settled into silence.
Finally, Rocky exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as his gaze dropped to the resignation letter.
"Guess I can't stop you," he muttered.
Grace's eyes softened just a little.
"You'll manage," she said lightly.
Rocky glanced at her, the corner of his mouth tugging up in something resembling a smirk.
"Doubt it," he joked, though his voice lacked the usual energy.
Grace inclined her head politely.
Anna remained silent, though Grace felt her gaze following her as she turned toward the door.
Before stepping out, Grace paused, glancing back over her shoulder.
"I appreciate the opportunities you gave me," she said softly. "But this is the right call."
Rocky met her eyes, and for a brief moment, something unspoken passed between them.
"Good luck, Grace," he said quietly.
Grace nodded once and left without another word.
The door clicked shut behind her.
As she walked down the corridor, the tension that had sat in her chest for the past year began to ease.
Her phone buzzed again.
Lilly: I assume it's done.
Grace smiled, her heels clicking confidently against the floor as she replied.
Grace: I'll see you at Li Holdings.