CHAPTER 117 CLAIRE SMITH

He saw a light in her eyes, a newfound confidence that hadn't been there before. Perhaps he had underestimated her resilience. Ethan watched from a distance as Claire took charge of her new role, navigating the company's corridors with a quiet authority. The days turned into weeks, and with each passing moment, Ethan felt the gulf between him and Claire widening. He had expected a confrontation, a fiery exchange, but Claire maintained a cool professionalism, never once acknowledging the past. The company, on the other hand, was quick to issue their public apology. The press release painted a picture of Claire as a victim of circumstances, an employee who had been unjustly fired. Ethan found himself in an unfamiliar position: the one in the wrong, the one who had acted too quickly. The company's apology was like a cold splash of reality for Ethan. He had always prided himself on being a fair and just boss, but in this instance, he had allowed his personal feelings to cloud his judgm