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Chapter 340
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The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 341
The waiters arrived, bringing food almost as soon as I entered. I was surprised to see them.Soren observed my reaction and explained, "I assumed you'd be hungry. It's already afternoon, and you still haven't had lunch. So, right after we finished our call, I had the restaurant start preparing the meal."I was touched. He was just as considerate and perfect as I remembered. "Thank you."This was the Soren Kenway I knew. I guessed yesterday's incident had been a simple misunderstanding after all."Mr. Kenway, ma'am? We hope you have a lovely afternoon. Bon appรฉtit," the manager said."Thank you. Please, only come in if we call for you," Soren replied, dismissing them with a wave.They left, closing the door behind them. Suddenly, it was just the two of us in the quiet, private space.The silence felt a bit awkwardโthis was the first time we'd seen each other since our first "conflict."I glanced at him, unsure of what to say.Before I could speak, he picked up his fork and knif
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 342
"And yet, things haven't changed, even after we've been together. You won't move into my place. You wouldn't accept a car until I forced you into it. You won't let me help with anything concerning the Joneses or the Kennedys. You don't even tell me what you're up to, where you're going."Soren's gaze locked onto mine. "What do you think all of this makes me feel?"If I had thought I hadn't done anything wrong, that belief evaporated as I listened to him list his grievances.Guilt began to settle over me. I even wanted to explain myself. "Listen, Soren, Iโ"He raised his hand. "I know, I know. You don't want to trouble me. You don't want me to be bogged down by it all. But I knew about your problems before we were officially together. If any of this bothered me, why would I have still wanted to be your boyfriend?"You push me away and refuse to accept any help or goodwill from me. You refuse to let me into your world, your life. It makes me feel like you're trying to keep things at
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 343
Soren stared at me in stunned silence. "Wait, you don't actually get what I've been alluding to this whole time?"A thought leaped into my head, and I reeled. He wanted me to stop keeping my distance. He wanted to be a part of my lifeโto help and support me.Butโฆ I justโฆSoren lowered his gaze. "I see. I'm still not good enough for you.""No, that's not it!" I blurted, guilt rising in my chest.Soren had been so kind to meโI should be more open to him!But I just couldn't. There were so many problems on my end that I couldn't do it!In the end, I made a concession."Okay, I'll always tell you what I'm facing. But there are some things you really shouldn't intervene in," I said. "I'll ask for help if I can't handle it. Is that okay?"Soren chuckled darkly. "I guess a little tantrum works in my favor.""It's weird hearing you say that.""Why?""Because you have all the power and influence. It's just strange to hear you say that!""Those things didn't help me get a girl to li
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 344
What was I going to do? I was the one at fault here!After a few seconds, I teased him, "Lord Soren? His most illustrious Lord Soren?"Soren shot me a cold look. "This isn't gonna work.""What can I do to make it work?" I asked sincerely.He didn't respond. His chiseled lips remained pressed together. I shook his hand, but he swiftly jerked it away from my grip.I sighed. "You're so juvenile."Suddenly, I aimed my camera at his face.Alert, he demanded, "What are you doing?""Recording Lord Soren's tantrum for posterity. It's a rare phenomenon, you know?" I said, pressing the record button.I always knew how to get under someone's skin.Soren panicked. He lunged to snatch my phone, but I ducked, retorting, "Hey, a gentleman doesn't try to steal a lady's property!"He sprang from his seat. Using his height advantage, he easily grabbed my phone.I stood up, circled the table, and cried, "Wait! Don't delete it! Can't I at least keep it for myself?"He dodged every move I made
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 345
As soon as I opened my mouth, I realized my throat felt dry. It was even more embarrassing now.Soren laughed, the anger from earlier gone. "Don't look at me like that, please. You look so innocent and helpless, and I don't know if I can control myself after seeing you like this."I burned with embarrassment and glared at him. He laughed even harder."Are you finally not mad?" I grumbled from his lap."I'm still a little mad. But if you kiss me, I'm sure it'll go away."I sneered. "Looks like you'll have to seethe a little longer."He locked his arms around my waist and refused to let me go.The room was the perfect temperature, so we had removed our coats as soon as we entered. That meant my figureโaccentuated by my form-fitting sweaterโwas on full display.He measured my waist with his palm. "I can hold your waist with just one hand.""Come on. You make me sound like a super hot succubus," I replied."You are, though. How else can we explain my falling for you and wanting t
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 346
"That's why you're coming with me. You should get to know them," Soren said, smiling."Why didn't you mention this earlier? I could have at least dressed up a little!" I grumbled. "I must look so dowdy right now. I have to be an embarrassment to you!""No, no. You look beautiful already." He turned, gazing at me with affection. "But you shouldn't look too pretty from now on. It'll attract too much attention, and I feel threatened by that."I was taken aback. "Excuse me? How did a gentleman who always seemed to respect women and their autonomy end up showing such a chauvinistic view?""I don't know what 'chauvinist' means, but I don't like it when other men stare and drool at my girlfriend."I looked out the window, sighing. "Every day, you seem less like the man I thought you were.""Having buyer's remorse?""Yeap. I realized you're too good at pretending to be perfect.""The time for remorse has long passed, unfortunately."Our banter continued. The sun was beautiful, and the
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 347
Everyone was trying to win Soren's favor, maneuvering to get a few words in edgewise.I could tell we were going to be here for a while."Come on, let's take a stroll! We'll walk around together!" Soleil suggested. "See, we always have this gathering around this time. It's hard to get everyone together during Brigidlia, you know? Everyone's always off spending it somewhere else, all around the world."I remembered hearing about this tradition from Jean.The elites of Metropolis hosted countless parties, but the Joneses were never invited. They were considered too low on the social ladder.And I? I was the unwanted daughter of the Jones family. I had even less chance of being invited.Jean Valentine, however, was different. A true elite, she had attended these parties before.I wondered if she was here.I scanned the room.Soleil thought I was shaking my head. "Oh, come on. Ren can't keep you company right now. He's stuck with those guys! Butโฆ he'll look for you later.""No, n
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 348
God, just my rotten luck! I had spent my precious day fighting with the Joneses, and now I still had to face a Kennedy in the evening! Someone should call an exorcist because I was sure these two families were demons trying to possess me!I should never have agreed to come here."Don't make things up, Edith. You ruined your own life. No one else did," I said firmly.I scanned the room and added, "And don't you know what kind of people attend this party? Even if you're fine with ruining your own reputation, maybe you should at least try to preserve your family's.""Oh, sure, because you give a damn about our family's reputation! You probably wish it was all fucking ruined!" Edith retorted, once again ignoring my genuine attempt to remind her.I sighed. I really wasn't in the mood to continue this.Unfortunately, Edith wasn't finished.She started yelling, "Do you even know who this bitch is?! She's Taylor Jones! She sent her own father to prison! She voided her civil partnership
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The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 498
"So what? It's always couples' intimacy hour everywhere," Soren replied with a grin, leaning in for a kiss.I turned away. "You reek of alcohol!"He sniffed himself, clearly thinking he smelled bad, too. I expected him to ignore it and keep going, but instead, he pulled me upright. "Let's go. To the showers!"I guessed he was worried that our first time after two years would be ruined by bad breath and stench.He tried to lift me into his arms, but I was concerned he might be too tipsy. We had a playful struggle before he finally scooped me up in a bridal carry."I told you. I'm not drunk!" he insisted.I realized there was no escaping him today, so I reminded him, "Our son is still at the hospital, Soren. With Aunt Sarah.""Mm-hmm. Once his mommy and daddy love each other very much, he'll see us.""Soren! Be serious!""Loving my wife is the most serious thing there is."-Two months later, my grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep. Soren and I had only just woken u
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 497
I got up and shot Soren a glance. "You guys must have been worried about him over these two years. Thank you for taking care of him.""Why, you're welcome," Richard replied with exaggerated pomp. "He didn't torment us, actually. He took it out on his subordinates. He worked like a machine, and everyone under him had to do the same. You should really thank his employees the most!"A pang shot through me as I looked at Soren. I'd heard about this from Jean, but hearing it again from his close friends only deepened that painful regret.I thought I'd been kind, but it was likely the cruelest thing I'd ever done to him. And yet, he held no blame against me and still loved me.It moved me. I filled both our glasses to the brim.Soren looked baffled. "What are you doing? They didn't specifically want to make you drinkโ""A toast to our relationship, my love," I said, passing him his glass.Soren froze, clearly not expecting this from me.The crowd, though, had already erupted into che
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 496
Being with Soren felt like a walk in the sunniest, coolest spring. He told me he loved me, and that made me his equal.Know what? It made me feel confident all of a sudden.We locked eyes for a long time before I pulled away."Iโฆ I'm basically unemployed right now," I muttered.I was about to launch a new business, but my grandmother's illness and my son's age forced me to set everything aside again."It wasn't easy raising a child alone, Tay, so don't put so much pressure on yourself. Besides, with your skills, it's only a matter of time before your career takes off again."I beamed. "You really think so? That's a lot of confidence, dude.""Of course I do." He held my hands. "Starting a business takes time and energy, so how about you move in with me? I'll raise our son while you focus on what you want to do."I laughed. "Oh God, was that the whole point of this talk from the start?"Soren laughed as well, his handsome face relaxing. "Well, now that we're getting married, whe
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 495
Soren smiled. "No need to doubt. That was one of my ulterior motives."So he wanted me to agree to our marriage because he wanted sex?!I stared at him, unmoving."Come on, I'm sending you both up," he said, his driver's presence making things awkward.Soren took the baby from my arms and strode inside.In the elevator, he stared at me without blinking.I grew self-conscious. "What?""Nothing. I just wanted to look at you, not missing a single detail," Soren replied matter-of-factly. "I hadn't dared do that before we started talking again because I was afraid you might be upset."I felt even more embarrassed.He set Silas in the cot, then turned to me and walked away.It was too late. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest. I saw his face loom over mine and cried out, "Don't do this, Soren! This is Amanda's place!"His reason and restraint were still functioning, turning his kiss into a brief peck."When will you move to my villa?" he breathed."N
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 494
I knew what had happened to me. I knew what two years had done to my face. A woman aged much faster when she had a child, after all.Celebrities looked the way they did because they didn't bear the weight of child-rearing. They had the money to pamper their faces and dedicate themselves to rigorous exercise routines.I had raised my son on my own. I had help when I needed it most, but most of the time, it was just me."So, you don't think I've grown older and uglier?" I muttered.Soren laughed."Oh, I do!" he teased. "But you're the mother of my son.""What does that mean?! And you said you weren't pitying me!"He laughed againโthis time, affectionately. "I was joking. I don't think you're any less than who you were back then. I actually wish you'd grow older, too. That way, only I remain by your side."I couldn't come up with a response to something so ridiculous."Do you need me to throw a grand, elaborate proposal to finally convince you I'm serious about wanting to spend t
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 493
"It's the way he looks at you. His eyes look suspicious!"Suspicious, my ass. Jamie was so far away from him by now that there was no way Soren could see anything in Jamie's "eyes."I sneered. "Don't be daft. He's got a girlfriend now." "Oh, really?""Yes, really. Can we go now?"My old colleagues had been staring at us, and I really didn't want to become the subject of their gossip. I just wanted to leave.Soren finally told the driver to go.Silas had probably exhausted himself from crying. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep in my arms.Soren stretched his arms out. "Let me.""I'm fine. It's okay for him to sleep like this. My arms are fine," I replied.I didn't want to give him an excuse to enter Amanda's residence with me again. I was only here temporarily, and I certainly didn't want things to get... steamy and intimate at her place. Besides, I didn't want to be steamy with him, period.Soren withdrew his arms sheepishly and snickered to himself.Annoyed, and
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 492
"Hello?""When are you coming back?" Soren asked in a low voice.I stood and left the lively private room. "I'm having lunch with some old colleagues. What's up?""Wow. So while I was trying to handle our son, you went out to have fun," he whined.Please. He wanted Silas with himโhe was just being dramatic.The wine gave me enough courage to respond, "Weren't you the one complaining about missing out on your son's childhood? I'm just being considerate.""Fine. Where are you? I'll bring Silas to you. He wants his mom nowโno one here can calm him down," he replied.Just as I had expected.I figured lunch was nearing its end anyway, so I gave him the address. "Call me when you arrive. I'll meet you at the entrance.""Got it."I returned to the room and quietly told Amanda, "I have to leave soon. You guys go ahead."She checked her phone. "Nah, we should all start packing up. We still have to work this afternoon!""Oh, right."I paid for our meal while the others chatted.Whe
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 491
The company had seen some new hires, but many were familiar faces.Case in point: Cherry Birkin. Now Amanda's assistant and principal secretary, she was ecstatic to see me."Tay-Tay! You're back!" she cried, rushing over to grab my arms. "It really is you! I'm so glad you came to see us. After disappearing for two years, I honestly thought you'd never come back!"Amanda, who had been the one to welcome me, stood beside me, smiling. "See? Your old colleagues have been complaining about you being heartless.""Aww, I'm sorry for being gone so long! How about this? Lunch is on me! Cherry, gather the old crew and invite them over!""You got it!" she replied eagerly.I stepped into Amanda's officeโthe same one where I used to work.A lot had changed in the interior, but everything felt warm and welcoming. The company was thriving under her and Jamie's leadership.There was a knock at the door. I turned to see the man himself."So, you really are back, Taylor," he said with a grin. "
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer!ย ย ย Chapter 490
I was irritated. If I were being generous, I'd say Soren was being proactive. If I were being honest, though, I'd call it disrespectfulโhe was undermining my agency!"I haven't even agreed to this yet!" I snapped, straightening my back and glaring at him as the seniors watched. "Who gave you the right to make decisions for me?!"Soren barely reacted. "You overthink everything. You hesitate more than you need to, so I thought... why not just ask your grandmother and aunt?"Turning to Sarah, he added, "What do you think, Aunt Sarah? Do you approve of us being together?"Sarah blinked, stunned, then shot a quick glance at my grandmother. My grandmother raised her hand, as though she had something to say. I leaned in immediately. "I'm listening, Grandma..."She took a deep breath, grasped my hand, and said, her voice raspy, "I can tellโฆ Ren really loves youโฆ You have a child nowโฆ It's good for you two to just get married."She paused, then added, "That way, Iโฆ can finally let go...
