Year Five: The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 80

Vianne noticed that Shipley had regained his composure. Lifting her head to look at him, she let a playful smile curl at her lips. “Well then, about the resignation letter and…”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Shipley crumpled both sheets of paper into a ball and tossed them indifferently into the nearby trash can.

Sweet Silvia was just throwing a tantrum, that’s all.

Her little tricks—meant to make him lose his cool—hadn’t worked, not even close.

He was confident that Silvia was only acting out of spite. That confidence made it easy for him to ignore the faint unease gnawing at the back of his mind.

Seeing this, Vianne wiped away her tears and even managed a smile.

She pointed at Tessa, who was hovering nearby, her voice laced with venom. “Shipley, fire her.”

“Alright.”

Shipley was in a generous mood and had every intention of indulging Vianne. Besides, it was Tessa who had brought him those two infuriating letters in the first place. Granting Vianne’s wish was almost too easy.

Tessa, who had witnessed the whole thing, let out a sardonic laugh. She pulled off her apron and tossed it onto the floor without a second thought.

As she passed the couple—who were practically clinging to each other—her gaze grew complicated. “Mr. Barlow, you’ll regret throwing away Miss Ashford’s letter.”

“Keep walking.” Vianne lifted her chin with a look of smug satisfaction. “You’ve already been dismissed. Still have the nerve to linger here?”

Tessa didn’t bother with a reply. She just sighed and left the manor.

The large house suddenly felt even emptier, leaving only Shipley and Vianne behind.

Shipley glanced at the trash can. Tessa’s warning echoed in his mind. His fingers twitched as if he might reach for the discarded papers, but in the end, he resisted.

For no apparent reason, frustration began to simmer in his chest again.

He gently pushed Vianne aside, his eyes softening with a practiced smile. “Vianne, why don’t you get some rest? I have a few things to take care of.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared into his study.

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