Runa's words were quite clear. To marry into wealth, good looks alone were far from enough.
One also needed a matching family background, or at the very least, a high level of education.
Truly, Runa, who possessed both wisdom and beauty, could insult someone without using any dirty words, yet still precisely strike at the deepest insecurities within one's heart.
Luana clenched her hands and said, "Miss Ortega, whether I have thoughts of marrying into wealth or not is completely unrelated to my application for resignation. Even if you are the CEO, you have no right to interfere in my personal affairs, do you?"
Runa didn't expect Luana to indirectly mock her for being nosy, and her expression darkened.
She replied, "Of course, I can't interfere. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder. If you insist on giving up such a good job opportunity to pursue something that's not yours, and then regret it later, don't come back to Winward crying."
Seeing a slight shift in Runa's attitude, Luana chose not to say more.
She planned to quickly find Laura to complete the handover of work and leave this place of conflict once her resignation was approved.
However, Runa's next words dashed her plans.
"Luana, I will definitely approve your resignation application, but not now," Runa suddenly changed the subject.
Luana's brows furrowed, and she asked with confusion, "Miss Ortega, what do you mean by that?"
Runa sighed and feigned helplessness as she explained, "You know, Winward Group's branch in Washington isn't doing well, while Coburn Group dominates there. For Winward to grow and develop, we need the support of Coburn Group. But they've never offered any help to Winward. Now that you have a connection with Mr. Coburn, I naturally hope you can stay. With you around, Coburn Group might give us some benefits."
Luana then understood that the reason Runa wouldn't approve her resignation was because she still had value to be exploited.
After all that, the reason was so simple.
Unfortunately, Runa's plan was misguided. With Luana around, Calvert would be even less likely to give Winward any benefits.
Luana didn't want to continue maneuvering with Runa. Such conversations exhausted her both physically and mentally, and her body could no longer withstand it.
She looked straight at Runa and said, "Since you're unwilling to approve my resignation application, forget it. I don't want last month's salary and bonus either. Just consider me as having resigned automatically."
The reason Luana insisted on following the normal resignation process was that when she was desperate, it was Winward Group that extended a helping hand to her, a recent graduate.
At that time, the one million she had raised through selling herself was only enough to save Albion, but far from enough for the subsequent treatment costs.
The Coburn family hadn't found Albion yet, and all the medical expenses were barely supported by Clarissa and her through odd jobs.
But that money was just a drop in the ocean, not enough at all. She searched everywhere for a high-paying job but was repeatedly rejected, and only Winward accepted her.
Winward not only provided her with a stable job but also lent her a sum of money, solving her urgent problem.
Therefore, she worked at Winward for five years, and no matter how much other companies tried to recruit her with high salaries, Luana never wavered.
But now that Winward had a new CEO who wouldn't even approve her resignation, she felt there was no need to continue waiting.
Luana took off her ID badge, gently placed it on Runa's desk, and turned to walk out the door without hesitation.
Runa watched her leave, her gaze gradually turning cold, and said, "Luana, do you remember when you borrowed from Winward, you also signed another agreement? It clearly states that resignation must be approved by the Winward CEO, otherwise, you have to pay six times the penalty for breach of contract."
Luana's originally carefree steps suddenly froze on the spot.
She almost forgot that when borrowing, Winward, fearing she would run away with the money, indeed drafted such an agreement.
At that time, she desperately needed the money and didn't think much, just signing it directly. She didn't expect that this agreement would become a shackle binding her now.
Luana slowly turned around, her gaze falling on Runa, who was leisurely leaning back in her office chair, looking down on her.
The dazzling radiance around Runa made Luana seem like a neglected, humble weed by the roadside.
Luana had never felt so wronged before, but at that moment, the feeling of grievance overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.
She felt like a loser being trampled underfoot by the victor. No matter how hard she struggled, it was all in vain.
Because she had neither a powerful background nor a noble identity and prominent power. She was just an ordinary and powerless person.
Precisely for this reason, she was threatened at will, trampled on, and insulted without restraint.
Luana finally gave up the struggle against fate, her expression numb as she asked Runa, "What exactly do you want me to do before you approve my resignation?"