Ella stepped out of the car and stood motionless, the bitter wind cutting through her thin blouse.

She hadn't noticed until now, but cold sweat had soaked through the back of her shirt.

She had no idea Austin's favoritism toward Judith had reached this extent.

A gaping wound seemed to have opened in Ella's chest. She forced her exhausted body toward the office building, each step painfully slow.

Someone bumped her shoulder as they rushed past, and Ella's frail body wobbled,feeling as though the slightest breeze could knock her over.

She made her way to the R&D department in a daze. The moment she sat down,Marshall's harsh voice assaulted her ears.

"So you decided to show up today? I 'thought you'd be calling in sick again! Ella, the entire company is waiting on you. You can't do your job as an executive assistant properly, yet you insist on meddling in R&D business!"

Ella raised her eyes, staring intently at Marshall.

The intensity of her gaze made him shiver involuntarily.

He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "I'm just stating facts. Are you going to deny it?"

Ella remained silent, methodically gathering the files and materials from her desk and placing them into her bag.

Then she simply said, "I quit."

"What did you say?" Marshall grabbed her shoulder, thinking he'd misheard.

Ella shook off his hand and headed for the door.

"Ella, have you lost your mind?" He called after her.

Jason's words echoed in her mind; why should she endure this toxic workplace?

Ella made her way to Human Resources.

On the way, she literally bumped into Jason.

"Why the long face?" He asked jokingly.

When she didn't respond to his humor, Jason's expression turned serious."

Ella,you're not about to cry, are you?"

Ella completely broke down.

Tears poured from her eyes, falling one after another.

She covered her face, sobbing loudly.

Jason stepped closer, attempting to comfort her, but Ella only cried harder.

"Stop crying. Is it Marshall again? I'll deal with him-no mere department manager can push you around with me here to back you up."

Ella shook her head through her sobs. "No, that's not it."

"Then what is it?"

She didn't answer, choking on her tears as she thought about the baby she had just conceived, now gone.

As a mother, how could she not be sad?

Ella gradually composed herself, her sobs subsiding.

Jason stood beside her, fidgeting anxiously.

After collecting her thoughts, she continued, "I'm quitting."

Jason looked stunned.

She added, "Didn't you mention starting your own company?"

His eyes widened almost comically, blinking rapidly in disbelief."You want to start a business with me?"

"Yes. Jason, let's start a business! I'm done with this place," She declared,removing her ID badge and marching determinedly toward HR.

Jason remained frozen in the hallway for about five minutes, utterly confused by Ella's sudden change of heart.

When she emerged from HR, Ella glanced at Jason and asked, "There's a project on intelligent Al that's landed in my lap. Do you think we could-"

"So you want me to join you and clean up your mess?" Jason raised an eyebrow,folding his arms and smirking.

Ella, her eyes still wet with tears but filled with newfound resolve, replied,"Forget it, then.".

As she turned to leave, Jason quickly caught her arm. "Wait! Don't you want to hear my answer?"

"Why? So you can mock me some more?"

"When did you become so irritable? Did something happen?" Jason poked her arm, his mouth twitching slightly.

Ella responded calmly, "Something like that."

"Of course, I'll join your venture, but I need to be clear upfront-as partners, we need a sense of commitment. If you suddenly fall in love and abandon our business..."

Jason eyed her sidelong with a mischievous grin.

Sensing his implied condition, Ella replied with perfect composure. "That won't happen. No one will shake my resolve again. You know Austin wants to develop drone technology."

"I want to see him beneath my feet. In the drone industry, I hope to lead the era forward with you." Her gaze met his as she spoke.

Her words were compelling and surprisingly inspiring.

Jason,momentarily dazed,agreed.

"I believe in you, Ella."

She felt genuinely touched, taking a deep breath to steady her emotions.

Then Ella asked the mood-breaking question, "Weren't you planning to resign too?"

Jason looked confused.

"Go now," She prompted.

Jason was suddenly speechless,

He went to HR to complete his resignation, then emerged from the office.

"Here's to our happy resignation!" Ella sald, extending her hand for a high-five, which Jason returned.

"I was the R&D Director, and now I've quit because of you. HR will report this to Royce. I'll probably have to meet him soon."

Jason's lips curved into a smile.

Ella patted his shoulder and laughed. "You'll get used to it."

"Easy for you to say. If Royce asks where I'm going. I'll tell him I'm working under you," Jason flashed his bright smile.

Ella responded to Jason's comment with an eye roll.

She gave a cold laugh. "T'll talk to Royce about it for you."

At Royce's office, Ella knocked on the door.

"Why are you here?" Royce looked up, slightly surprised.

Ella handed hm her approved resignation letter.

Royce's eyes widened as he read it.

"Why are you resigning?" he asked, clearly shocked as he stared at Ella.

Ella raised her eyes, responding with a lazy tone, "I don't want to work here anymore. Ireally dislike your company's management system."

"Ella, didn't you promise me you would work here?" Royce recalled her

She pressed her lips together and lowered her voice. "I did promise you.but l've faced discrimination and unfair treatment in this company. I don't want to waste away here, and you never once considered my situation."

Royce froze, momentarily speechless.

After a long hesitation, he explained, "Ella, please don't misunderstand."