"Why?" Benjamin couldn't help but ask after a long while. "You were at the scene that day.""This is my business. I don't need to explain anything to you."Benjamin frowned, and Shawn continued, "Besides you, no one will know that I used to be Alexander. Hawkins Group is all yours. No one is competing with you."Hearing that, Benjamin didn't feel assured at all. His eyes were filled with suspicion. "No one? What about Grace?"Shawn put down the teacup. "She didn't recognize me."The teahouse was peaceful. Closing the door to the private room seemed to isolate them from the outside world.Grace slept in Xander's lap for a while and woke up two hours later. The two of them walked out side by side.Suddenly, Xander received a call from Hazel. Grace understood that it must be an internal matter of the Fulton Group. "I'll wait for you outside.""Okay, I'll go to the restroom."It was surely a call to urge him to return to Frenda as soon as possible. Hazel was anxious."Mr. Ful
The sunlight was perfect, shrouding the two of them in a halo of light. They were like a picturesque scene by the roadside.Xander loosely wrapped his hands around her waist. "Let's not worry about the bet for now. We'll see."Benjamin's car happened to pass by at this moment, and he saw this scene. His expression turned ugly as he gritted his teeth.Larry was very concerned. "Mr. Hawkins...""I understand why Alexander gave up."Larry waited for the next sentence."At this point, even if it's not me, it won't be him either."Grace had long since found the right guy, a man who had the ability to protect her.Benjamin rubbed his forehead, never having felt so defeated in his entire life.In the private room, Shawn said, "I gave up everything, but that doesn't mean that I won't collect some debts from you.""What?""You took my place and married Grace, but you didn't treat her well, making her suffer. I'll remember this. One day, I'll make you pay."Benjamin couldn't retort b
Winter rain continued to fall. Jessica wrapped herself tightly in her coat, sitting in the car.She had been drinking heavily for several days, but today she abstained. It was a rare moment of sobriety. Her face was pale. "Do I really have to go?""Our boss said so. Your staying here will put everyone in danger. "If you get caught, your charges could add up to decades. Don't be ungrateful, Ms. Landon."It was still early, so they were the only car on the road, speeding in the rain.After some time, a black car suddenly appeared in the rearview mirror, following behind them. Jessica became alert. "We're being followed! Is it the cops?"The driver turned the steering wheel. "I'll shake them off."He was skilled, but the other party was equally skilled. After several rounds, the driver still couldn't shake off the pursuer.Instead, they were overtaken. The other car blocked their way horizontally, forcing them to come to a halt.The driver's heart sank. "How could this hap
The next day, Grace seemed a bit absent-minded.Ashley reminded her several times. "Ms. Lewis, Mr. Caleb is on the line. He couldn't reach you and called me."Grace finally snapped out of her daze and took Ashley's phone.Caleb's face appeared on the screen. "Gracie, what's going on? You haven't been answering my calls. I was so worried!""My phone ran out of battery... What's up, Caleb?" Grace simply made up an excuse."Victor is on vacation. He's coming to Pamore to see you. Let's have dinner together tonight."Grace was delighted. "I haven't seen Victor in a long time. When will he arrive? I'll book a restaurant.""I'll have someone pick him up." Caleb suspiciously stared at her face. "You look unwell. What happened?"Grace shook her head vigorously, insisting that she was fine, and hastily hung up the phone.Having once traveled to Pamore for a man whose name she didn't even know and eventually married Benjamin by a twist of fate had already angered her family. If she we
Victor stood up and opened the window for some fresh air. He was a health-conscious guy, rarely involved in smoking or drinking."Give up and change course. There are many things in this world worth persisting for."He was very rational.Grace looked at him. "But all the effort and time in the past would go up in a puff of smoke. Don't you think it's a pity?""You should be happy. If those things keep lingering in your memory, you'll keep remembering and regretting them. "Letting them become a puff of smoke allows you to completely let go, doesn't it?"Victor played with a lighter in his hand as he spoke indifferently. With his personality, he had never been torn by such ethereal things.Grace frowned, but she felt a sense of enlightenment.Victor was right. That person never appeared all these years, indicating that they were not meant to be."Anyway, we chose the paths ourselves. We took the step for a reason."Hearing this, Grace extinguished her cigarette."You really h
It was the afternoon in Frenda. The vast conference room was filled with all nine directors, along with various high-ranking executives and committee members.When Xander walked in, all eyes turned toward him. He scanned the room, noticing that Jake had already taken his seat in his usual place—on the side in the front row.Jake even greeted him with a smile from his seat.Xander took his place at the head of the table. "Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital? It seems you're perfectly fine now."Hearing that, Jake moved his bandaged wrist. "Everyone knows that I'm a workaholic. In the past few years, even when you weren't around, I never missed a single board meeting."So I'm back here even with this injury just in case you have any last-minute issues, and I can take charge."It was an insinuation of ambition, clear for all to see.Without responding, Xander flipped open a document. "I apologize for keeping you all waiting. Let's start the meeting."Suddenly, a director a
Raymond nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.He turned to Jake, who had been quietly listening. "Grace is the apple of the Lewises' eyes. She's like a half-sister to you. You'll have a chance to meet her in the future.""I know. I met her last time. She's indeed different. Xander is really lucky," Jake said with a half-smile. "It's worth it for him to give up work for her."Xander remained silent, narrowing his eyes."You should thank Jake. If he hadn't been mediating with the committee these days, they would have asked for you to be impeached."As a president, how can you leave the company without any news for a week?" Raymond scolded."Yes, I should thank Jake," Xander said without arguing. "Anyway, I left Hazel at the company to handle the work.""You're the president of this company. If you don't approve those projects and funds, would your employees dare to start working?" Raymond was genuinely angry.Jake interjected, "Dad, don't get worked up. Xander is back now. The futur
"If I had insisted, it would prove that I had set this up." Xander massaged his temples."But I think Mr. Fulton Senior is very happy with Ms. Lewis dating you," said Hazel.Xander's face darkened. He didn't express any opinions on that."He's already supporting Jake. When Jake returns from Pamore, this project will be a crucial step in his promotion. By then, there might be another director added to the Fulton Group's board."Hazel was astonished. "Is it a dead end?""He doesn't know the difference between me going to Pamore and staying in Fulton Group. As long as I'm here, I won't let him have this opportunity."It was already nighttime in Frenda when Xander left the company and went to Hestia's place.When the housekeeper opened the door and saw him, she excitedly called out, "Mr. Xander, you're back."Xander raised a finger to signal her to keep it down. He then took off his coat. "Where's my mom?""She's in the living room, having a video call with Ms. Lewis."As he walk