Wram 364

Chapter 364 

Alexander 

I strode through the lobby of Knight Industries, nodding briskly at the security guard. The news of my engagement to Katherine Sinclair had spread like wildfire, and everyone seemed determined to congratulate me. Even the elevator operator gave me a knowing smile. 

“Congratulations on your engagement, Mr. Knight.” 

“Thank you,” I replied automatically, already scrolling through emails on my phone. 

The doors opened to the executive floor, and I stepped out, expecting to see Madison at her desk. Instead, I found an empty chair, her computer screen dark. The pristine surface of her desk looked wrong without her stack of color–coded folders. 

I checked my watch: 8:45 AM. Madison was never late. In fact, she typically arrived before me. 

Strange. 

I walked to my office. Perhaps she was in the project manager’s office downstairs, preparing for the morning meeting. That would explain her absence. 

A knock interrupted my thoughts. 

“Come in,” I called, loosening my tie slightly. 

Laura Taylor, head of HR, entered with a folder tucked under her arm. 

“Good morning, Mr. Knight. Welcome back. How was the engagement party?” 

“Fine, thank you.” I waved away the pleasantries. “Have you seen Ms. Harper this morning? She wasn’t at her desk.” 

Laura’s smile faltered. “That’s actually why I’m here.” She shifted her weight, clearly uncomfortable. “Madison Harper resigned from her position last week.” 

I froze, certain I had misheard. “Excuse me?” 

“Ms. Harper submitted her resignation, effective immediately. She’s no longer with the company.” 

The words hit like a physical blow, but I kept my face neutral. “That’s impossible. She’s the project manager. She can’t just quit.” 

“She did, sir. She submitted all the necessary paperwork and comprehensive handover notes for both positions.” 

I leaned back in my chair, processing this information. Madison had resigned while I was away announcing my engagement to Katherine. The timing wasn’t lost on me. 

“Who approved her resignation?” I demanded, my voice sharper than intended. 

“She submitted it to Janet in HR.” 

1/6 

“And Janet had the authority to accept the resignation of a project manager without consulting me?” My tone could have frozen hell itself. 

Laura shifted uncomfortably. “Perhaps it would be best if Janet explained the situation herself.” 

“Call her,” I ordered. “Now.” 

Laura nodded quickly and stepped outside. I heard her murmuring into her phone, too low for me to catch the 

words. 

What the hell was Madison playing at? No notice, no discussion, just gone while I was away. It was completely unprofessional. 

And yet… hadn’t I done the same thing to her? Gotten engaged without a word? 

No, that was different. Our arrangement was just business. Her job was an actual business. 1 

Janet knocked and entered, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else. Laura trailed behind, clearly hoping to 

mediate. 

“Explain,” I said simply, fixing Janet with a stare. 

Janet cleared her throat. “Ms. Harper came to me last week with her resignation letter. She said it was effective immediately.” 

“And you accepted this without consulting me? She was my assistant and was heading one of our largest projects.” 

“She indicated you were already aware of her decision,” Janet replied, her voice growing steadier. “And while you were away at your engagement events, your sister Georgia Knight came in to handle urgent matters in your absence. She reviewed several pending matters, including Ms. Harper’s resignation. She approved it immediately, saying it wasn’t worth troubling you during your personal celebrations.” 

Typical Georgia, making executive decisions without understanding the implications. 

“So my sister approved the resignation of my personal assistant and project manager, and no one thought to call me?” My voice remained level, but ice cold. 

Janet’s face paled slightly. “Ms. Harper indicated you were already aware, Mr. Knight.” 

“And 

you 

didn’t think to confirm this with me directly?” I drummed my fingers on my desk. 

“You were in the middle of your engagement celebrations,” Janet replied. “We didn’t want to disturb you with administrative matters.” 

I leaned forward. “Call her. Now. Tell her that her resignation is canceled.” 

Laura stepped forward. “Mr. Knight, with all due respect, Madison was quite clear about her decision. She spent an entire day preparing transition documents and handed over all her projects.” 

“I don’t care how clear she was. Call her.” 

“She wanted to resign,” Laura insisted. “This wasn’t a hasty decision on her part. She was methodical, organized-” 

“So was the Titanic’s captain,” I cut in. “And we all know how that turned out.” 

Janet coughed to hide what might have been a laugh. 

“Mr. Knight,” Laura said, “she packed up both offices completely. She left detailed instructions for every project. She even color–coded her files for the next person. People don’t do that unless they’re certain.” 

I stood up abruptly, causing both women to take a step back. Who the hell did Madison think she was? Leaving without even the courtesy of a face–to–face resignation? After everything we’d been through, she just disappeared. 

“Fine. Forget it.” I straightened my tie. “Find me another PA. And another project manager for Manhattan.” 

“We’ve already started looking-” Janet began. 

“Not looking. Finding. I want candidates on my desk by tomorrow morning.” 

They nodded in unison. 

“That will be all.” I waved them out. 

After the door closed, I sank back into my chair, swiveling to face the Manhattan skyline. Why had she resigned? Was it the engagement news? Had she received a better offer at another company? Did she actually think I’d care enough to stop her? 

I scoffed at my own thoughts. Madison Harper was replaceable. Everyone was. 

I picked up a pen from my desk, one she’d given me for Christmas, with the Alexander Knight engraved on it. I tossed it into the drawer. 

“Good riddance,” I muttered, though the words sounded hollow even to my ears. 

My phone buzzed with a text from Katherine about wedding venue options. I ignored it and turned on my computer instead, determined to focus on work. 

Ten minutes later, I realized I’d been staring at the same email without reading a single word. 

“Damn it, Madison,” I growled. 

Who leaves without notice? Without discussion? Without- 

I stopped myself. Why did I even care? She was just an employee. Just someone I slept with occasionally. Just… 

Just the woman who anticipated my needs before I knew them myself. 

“Mr. Knight?” My intercom buzzed. 

“What?” I snapped. 

“Your 10 o’clock is here.” 

3/6 

“Push it back.” 

“But it’s the Riverside investors-” 

“I said, push it back.” I ended the call. 

Madison would have known not to argue. She would have smoothly rescheduled without making it seem like a problem. She would have- 

“Stop it,” I told myself firmly. “She’s gone. Move on.” 

I grabbed my phone and pulled up her contact. My thumb hovered over the call button. What would I even say? Come back because no one makes coffee like you do? 

Because I miss the way you call me “Mr. Knight” in public but whisper “Alexander” when we’re alone? 

I tossed the phone onto my desk. This was ridiculous. I was Alexander Knight. I didn’t chase after assistants who quit without warning. 

Even if they were Madison Harper. 

Even if they somehow managed to make mundane Monday meetings feel like adventures. 

Even if their absence left an inexplicable hollow feeling in my chest. 

“Pathetic,” I muttered, standing up to pace the office. 

I paused at the spot where she’d once spilled coffee on herself, trying to multitask. She’d been so flustered, her cheeks flushing that particular shade of pink I’d come to- 

No. I wasn’t going to reminisce like some lovesick teenager. 

But the thought persisted: Why hadn’t she told me herself? Was I that unapproachable? That terrifying? 

Or maybe she simply didn’t care enough to say goodbye properly. 1 

That thought stung more than it should have. 

“Fine,” I announced to the empty office. “If that’s how she wants to play it, two can play that game.” 

I stabbed at the intercom button. “Send in the Riverside investors. And get me Georgia on the line immediately after.” 

I’d show Madison Harper just how easily life at Knight Industries continued without her. I’d hire someone smarter, more efficient, more- 

Who was I kidding? There was no one like Madison. 

But she’d never know I thought that. Never. 

I straightened my tie, fixed my face into its usual mask of cool authority, and prepared to meet the investors. 

Madison Harper had made her choice. Now I was making mine. 

Chapter 364 

Even if it felt like the wrong one.