The CEO's Regret: Darling, Don’t Leave Me novel Chapter 295

Chapter 211-The Dismissal, Part 1

+25 Points

Chapter 211: The Dismissal, Part 1.

Ethan

Morning comes sooner than I expected. I open my eyes and, for a second, I’m not sure where I am… whether I’m still in the middle of last night’s conflict or somewhere else entirely. But then I feel her.

Clara, asleep beside me. Her body lightly pressed against mine, her breathing calm, her hand resting on my chest as if, even asleep, she needed reassurance that I was still there. And I was.

I run a hand down her back, slowly, careful not to wake her. Last night… Last night we did something right, not perfectly, but right. We talked, we listened to each other, we compromised. And that… is no small thing.

I lean down and kiss her hair softly.

“I’m going to fix this…” I murmur, even though I know she can’t hear me. But I need to say it, because what I promised… I’m going to keep. Vanessa.

I close my eyes for a second. I can’t put it off any longer… a day is time, and I don’t want to waste any more. Not after what happened. Not after what Clara felt… and what I felt myself. This ends today.

I get up carefully, slowly pulling back the sheet so as not to wake her.

I walk to the bathroom, take a quick shower, get dressed in silence… but my mind is already racing.

When I come out, I look at her again. She’s still asleep. And there’s something about that image… about that peace… that reaffirms I’m doing the right thing.

I pick up my phone and make the call.

“I need to see you this morning,” I say as soon as she answers. “It’s important.”

I don’t give any more details; there’s no need. I hang up and leave the house.

My lawyer greets me directly, as he always has. Direct, precise, professional.

We sat down in his office, and as soon as I closed the door, I got straight to the point.

“I want to end my working relationship with Vanessa.”

He didn’t react immediately, just watched me… analyzed.

“Is this final?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

There was no doubt in my voice.

ľ

“I understand,” he said, arranging some documents in front of him. “Then we have to do this right.”

He leaned forward.

<Chapter 211 The Dismissal. Part 1

“Because she’s not just any employee.”

I nodded.

I know.

*25 Points

“She started as a partner on independent projects with you,” he continued. “There’s a history of previous collaboration, which could work in her favor if she tries to argue for a closer or more trusting relationship within the company.”

I crossed my arms.

“But she’s currently an employee.”

“Yes,” he confirmed. “And that’s what gives us leeway.”

He opened a folder, reviewed it, flipped through the pages.

“Her contract…” he says, reading, “is a fixed-term contract, renewed several times.”

I look up.

“When does it expire?”

He pauses.

“In a few days.”

That… That’s perfect.

“Then we won’t renew it.”

He nods slowly.

“That’s the cleanest way.”

He leans back slightly in his chair.

“Legally, you’re not obligated to renew. It doesn’t require extensive justification, as long as the agreed-upon conditions are respected.”

I nod.

“But I want her to leave sooner.”

He looks at me.

“Immediately?”

“Yes.”

No beating around the bush, no room for doubt.

I

“Then we have to do an early termination by mutual agreement or unilaterally with severance pay.”

I tilt my head slightly.

Chapter 211-The Dismissal, Part 1

“Explain.”

He clasps his hands together.

+25 Points

“You can offer her full payment for the remaining time on her contract without her having to work. That’s known as early termination compensation.”

I nod. That makes sense.

“Can she refuse?”

“She can,” he replies. “But if the compensation is fair and within what’s appropriate… she’ll most likely accept.”

He leans in a little closer.

“Now… there’s something important.”

I look at him.

“Because of her position within the company… and the level of access she has… I recommend including a strengthened confidentiality clause and a temporary non-compete clause.”

That interests me.

“Is that possible?”

“Yes, as long as it’s reasonable in terms of time and scope.”

He pauses.

“You can’t prevent her from working… but you can limit her direct involvement in projects that compete with yours for a short period.”

I nod slowly.

“I want that.”

Without hesitation, because if there’s one thing I’m sure of… it’s that I don’t want to see her moving around in my same circles after this.

“Also,” he adds, “it’s important that the departure be handled discreetly.”

“It will be.”

ľ

My tone is firm; I don’t want any scandals. I don’t want any rumors… I don’t want… anything that connects her to me again.

He closes the folder.

“So the path is clear: no contract renewal, early termination with compensation, signing of an exit agreement, and protective clauses.”

I nod. I feel… order. For the first time in all of this… I feel in control.

<Chapter 211-The Dismissal, Part 1

“Get everything ready,” I tell him.

“You’ll have it today.”

I stand up.

“Thank you.”

He nods.

“Just make sure the conversation is… professional.”

I look at him.

“It will be.”

+26 Points

But we both know it won’t be easy, because Vanessa…. She’s not just any employee. It never really was. Her level of participation is significant, but I have other people at the same level as her, some even with more potential.

When I arrive at the office, the atmosphere is the same as always. Normal, routine. But for me… it isn’t. I walk straight to my office, close the door, and remain silent for a few seconds. Thinking, organizing. Because what I’m about to do… There’s no turning back.

I pick up the phone.

“Can you come in for a moment?” I ask my assistant.

Minutes later, she comes in. Efficient, precise, as always.

“Yes?”

I look at her.

“I want you to schedule a meeting with Vanessa.”

I don’t need to say her last name.

“When?”

“Today.”

She pauses.

“A particular time?”

I think for a second. I don’t want to do it in the middle of the day. I don’t want interruptions, I don’t want…

spectators.

“At the end of the day.”

She nods.

“Understood, sir.”

<Chapter 211-The-Dismissal, Part 1

But before she leaves…

“And make sure it’s in my office.”

She stops, looks at me. And I think she understands… that this isn’t just any meeting.

“Of course.”

She leaves, the door closes. And I’m alone again.

+26 Poirits

I place my hands on the desk, lower my gaze, and exhale. This is the right thing to do, I tell myself. Not just for Clara, but for me. Because if I’m going to build something with her… I can’t leave any loose ends, I can’t allow for gray areas, I can’t repeat mistakes. Vanessa was one of them, and today… Today I close that chapter.

I lean back in my chair, look straight ahead. And for the first time in a long time… i feel no doubt. Only resolve. Tonight… Everything changes.

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