The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第48章 shifts and Resignations

It had been a week since Eden returned from Chicago, and life in Hokkaido quickly demanded her full attention again. Her days blurred into meetings, acquisition calls, reviewing financial documents, and check-ins with her regional teams. On top of that, the wedding planner's calendar was stacked-dress fittings, menu tastings, guest lists, vendor negotiations.

One morning, between calls, her phone buzzed with a message from the Chicago realtor.

Closing complete. Funds cleared. Transfer will post within one business day.

Relief washed over her. That townhouse, with all its repairs and headaches, was finally behind her. She immediately forwarded the message to Kenji, adding a note:

Looks like it's finally done. Equity will be in my account tomorrow.

His reply was swift, steady as ever: Good. Now you can focus only on what's ahead.

She smiled faintly at the screen before sliding her phone aside. He always had a way of centering her.

Later that afternoon, as Eden was organizing paperwork across her desk, a knock interrupted her. She looked up, surprised to see Mallory lingering in the doorway, posture stiff, expression guarded.

"Do you have a moment?" Mallory asked, her tone unusually subdued.

Eden gestured for her to come in, though a knot of caution coiled in her stomach. They hand had any major interactions since her scene at the engagement party.

Mallory stepped forward, clutching a single sheet of paper. "I wanted to apologize... for my behavior at your engagement party. I wasn't myself, and it was unprofessional. I know I embarrassed you, and for that, I'm sorry."

Her words were clipped, her eyes not quite meeting Eden's, as though rehearsed rather than heartfelt. Before Eden could respond, Mallory slid the paper onto her desk.

"My formal two weeks' notice," she added quickly. "I received a job offer, that I don't think I can turn down."

Eden blinked, stunned at the suddenness of it, but recovered her composure. She folded her hands neatly on the desk. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll have HR process this immediately."

Mallory gave a small nod, turned on her heel, and left the office without another word.

The door clicked shut, leaving Eden in silence, staring at the resignation letter. A part of her felt relief, another part unsettled-Mallory had caused trouble, but this abrupt exit left questions hanging in the air, she was actually a good employee.

She exhaled slowly, reminding herself she had no time for distractions. The closing in Chicago was complete, the wedding was moving forward, and now one more problem was stepping out of her way.

Still, as she glanced at Mallory's neat signature on the page, Eden couldn't help but wonder if this chapter was truly closed-or just waiting to resurface in another form.