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Chapter 434
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The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 435
"Yeah, I've been really busy these past few days. There's a special project I've been working on that requires me to hand over my cell phone. That's why I haven't been able to stay in touch."Soren was telling a white lie, likely to keep me from worrying about him."So… are you mad at me?" he asked with a soft chuckle."No, I'm not." Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision so much that I could barely drive.I maneuvered through the traffic and pulled over by the bus station.After wiping my tears and forcing myself to calm down, I spoke again. "I'm not mad at you, Soren. Don't worry about me—just focus on taking care of yourself.""Okay. I'm doing alright, though my hours have been long. But I can manage." His voice remained gentle, and I decided not to call him out on his lie.If he didn't want me to know the truth, I'd pretend not to notice. It was the least I could do to preserve his dignity."How much longer do you have to be away?" That was all I cared about. I just
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 436
Finally, I felt a sense of relief after that phone call.For the first time in a while, I was even free from insomnia that night.I still had two more fashion shows to attend after the one in Medhelanon, which kept me incredibly busy. Sometimes, I wished I could clone myself.The silver lining was that with my mind so occupied by work, I didn't miss Soren as much, and time passed faster than before.Just as I was about to leave for the day, my office phone rang."Hello?""Hello, is this Taylor Jones?" a polite yet stern voice asked."Yes, this is she. May I ask who's calling?""Miss Jones, we're from the Department of Homeland Security. Is Miles Jones your brother?" "Miles?" I froze. "Yes, he's my brother. Why?""We've arrested him on suspicion of espionage. We'd like a family member to assist with the investigation. Can you visit the nearest police station?"The shock hit me like a wave.Miles? A spy?He had been a total deadbeat for as long as I could remember, living o
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 437
"Alright then. Miles has strongly requested to speak with you. We'll connect you two through the speakerphone." The officer pulled out his cell phone and made the call.After a brief conversation with the person on the other end, he activated the speakerphone and placed the phone on the table.I heard Miles' voice crackle through the speaker. "Taylor? Is that you, Tay?"Hatred surged within me at the sound of his voice, and I replied through gritted teeth, "Yes.""You need to help me, Tay! I've been set up! Edward told me he had a job that would make me a lot of money. He said all I had to do was take some photos and upload them… I thought it was a legitimate gig, so I went for it, but... it's a trap!"As expected, it really was Edward.How many traps has he set just to get back at me?Hearing Miles call me "Tay" after all the years of his disdain made it clear he was in genuine shock.Unfortunately, I felt no sympathy."You're being charged with espionage. There's nothing I c
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 438
I couldn't bring myself to turn Alex down after she'd invited me so many times, so I finally agreed to meet up.I stopped by the nearest luxury store and picked out a bracelet for Alex, having it wrapped in a pretty gift box.By the time I arrived at the venue, I was pretty late—the others had already started, and even the candles on the cake had been lit.Alex looked breathtaking that night. She stood at the center of the crowd, cutting the cake amid everyone's well wishes.As for me... I sat off to the side and drowned myself in alcohol.Jean noticed and came over, nudging my arm. "What's wrong? You look so gloomy tonight. You've only been away from your boyfriend for a few days, but you already look half dead."I twirled my wine glass, my gaze gradually losing focus.In a daze, I murmured, "Pretty soon, I'll be well and truly dead."Jean frowned. "What are you talking about?"I downed my drink and said coldly, "I'm breaking up with him.""What?!"Thankfully, the celebrati
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 439
"I'm sorry, Alex, but I have to go. It's an emergency," I said to the birthday girl, not even bothering to hang up the phone.Alex must have been startled by the look on my face. She nodded quickly and urged, "You should get someone to drive you. You've had a lot to drink!"But I didn't reply. I bolted out the door, with Jean close behind, already calling someone on her phone."Calm down, Taylor. He's not going anywhere. No matter how long it takes, he'll still be at your house. Let someone else drive, okay?" Jean pleaded, doing her best to stop me from doing something reckless.The cold night air hit me, cutting through my drunken haze and sharpening my focus.I nodded. "Alright, I won't do anything stupid. I… I can't cause him any more trouble than I already have."I mumbled the last part, but Jean heard it anyway.She grabbed my arm, gripping it tightly. Her tone turned serious. "You really need to rethink this breakup. You two are so in love—it'd be such a shame to throw tha
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 440
I inhaled Soren's natural scent, but no amount of it could absolve me of the love and longing I'd felt for him over the past few days.I stood on my tiptoes, initiating a kiss in a daze, with no regard for the fact that we were still outside.Soren, too, seemed to have lost his mind a little. He knew we shouldn't kiss in public, yet he didn't refuse when I made the first move.But then, the honk of my car brought us back to our senses.The driver shot us a strange look. "Um... Could you close the door so I can park your car, please?"He probably thought something was wrong when he saw how hurried I'd been moments earlier.But now that we'd arrived, it became clear—I was in a rush because I missed my "husband."That realization probably left him stunned.Honestly, I was stunned as well.I never thought I'd act that way, but the driver's reminder sparked such embarrassment in me that I buried my face in Soren's arms.Soren laughed, his chest vibrating with the sound.He reache
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 441
I shot a glare at Soren, but I knew none of my displeasure showed. The hunger in my eyes would have neutralized any threat my expression could have conveyed.I scoffed. "Pot calling the kettle black, aren't we? You're the one who called me twice!"He reached for the remote, turned on the AC, and crawled back into bed beside me."I was just as hungry as you were. Probably even hungrier…" he whispered, his face only inches from mine.I smiled and kissed him."How much did you drink?" he asked between kisses. "I thought I told you never to drink without me. What if you're drunk?"I stopped kissing him. "Oh god. I smell, don't I?""I don't mind," he replied softly, kissing me again as he pressed his forehead to mine.My senses returned."No, no. I need a shower and mouthwash!" I insisted, suddenly feeling self-conscious.He circled his arm around my waist and pulled me back against him. "No rush. You should shower only once the room warms up. Don't freeze now."We lay in silence
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 442
"Then you're just coercing me under the guise of loving me!" I shot back.I knew it would upset Soren, but I had to say it. "Being with you was the best time of my life, but it was also incredibly stressful."Those days when you were taken in for questioning—I was constantly on edge. I could barely sleep. I lost hair. It was torture. Every single day felt like an ordeal."Miles was arrested for espionage, and it was Edward who set him up. Did you know that?"He fed Miles both the initial intel and money, taking advantage of the fact that he was broke and desperate. He tricked him into taking classified photos near your base and then leaked them!"Soren froze, his face darkening."Homeland Security is still investigating him. I've already been called in to give statements, and I'm sure there's more to come. If we don't break up, you'll be implicated too."I took a deep breath and tried to soften my voice. "Think about it. You would've done the same if you were in my place.""No,
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The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 452
"I'm not sure if I misunderstood you, but I have a feeling you see me as more than just a colleague, Mr. Young," I said, starting the conversation.Jamie froze for a moment, rubbing his nose awkwardly."I admire you," he confessed. "Having spent most of my life abroad, I've become a lot more Metropolitan in my outlook than some of the guys around here. Issues that men here might get hung up on, like your annulment, just don't bother me."Oh my god, he was so damn straightforward. I shivered internally."Thanks, but after everything I've been through, I'm just not expecting anything anymore," I replied, forcing a sad chuckle.I needed to make it clear to him before he started thinking there was any possibility."Taylor, I'm not like them. My parents are divorced, and they've lived extraordinary lives. They never interfered with my choices, or who I decided to spend time with, you know?"He paused, his gaze intense. "Personally, I'm not concerned about what others think of me. I g
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 451
Cameron's whining assaulted my ear from the other side. I immediately grew wary."Where are you people? I thought the cops had taken him away to look into the Kennedys' case," I said flatly."He's so sick even the cops sent him back here after they were done.""Then he's in the hospital. So what? Why is he suddenly in a coma or whatever?""Because of Miles!" Cameron sobbed. "That piece of shit Edward set Miles up! My son is doomed!"By then, the Joneses only had Miles. They had to bail him out and save him, but there was one problem—an espionage charge was one of the hardest to clear, even in the shortest amount of time. One would need powerful friends to speed up the process.Who would stick their neck out for a bankrupt family with filth all over their name?Things were going so badly for them that Harry's stress must have worsened his condition."I told you. You can only get my money by exchanging it for your sincerity. Repent at my mom's grav—""Fuck you, Taylor! Your dad
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 450
"Didn't drink just now?" Soren asked."No." I was stunned. "Did you come here at this hour because you were worried I would be drunk?"That meant Soren hadn't stayed at the restaurant for long either. Or maybe he had, but not to spy on me. It was just a coincidence. Still, showing up here now couldn't possibly be a coincidence. He was worried about me.We locked eyes for a long time. I waited for him to say something—anything—but his lips remained pressed shut.It was cold outside, and I was starting to feel painfully underdressed. Just as I was about to invite him upstairs, he turned away and headed for his car."Wait!" I blurted out before I could stop myself.What reason did I have to make him stay? And what would happen if he did?It would just be the two of us alone in my unit—two recently broken-up partners in the middle of the night. The perfect recipe for disaster. It could only complicate things further.I forced myself to look away and headed for my unit. Once there
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 449
The other woman stepped forward quickly. "We deeply regret offending you, Mr. Kenway! We went overboard with our jokes, I promise!"Soren motioned toward me with a slight tilt of his chin. "Apologize to her."The woman turned to me immediately. "I'm very sorry, Miss Jones! It was really just a misunderstanding. Truly!"She elbowed her friend, who reluctantly muttered, "Sorry."Soren finally released them, and they left in a hurry.It was just the two of us now.I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. My mind was buzzing. I had no idea what to say. It took me a few moments to compose myself enough to say, "Tha—"I realized he had already turned and left. He hadn't looked at me or acknowledged my presence.I felt slapped in the face, but this time, it was my heart that ached. Tears welled in my eyes.I remembered how distant and cold he had been at the hospital, treating me as if I were a complete stranger.If he hated me so much, why had he even shown up on my behalf? Was he testin
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 448
"Just what are you insinuating?" the woman snapped, rolling her eyes. "I'm self-aware enough to know my place!""Yeah, figures. You're too low to even be on the Kenways' level," I retorted before walking away.The woman, furious, blocked my path in the corridor. "What are you trying to say? Too low? As if you're not just as low and undeserving of the Kenways!"I didn't want to escalate things, so I replied calmly, "You're the one who brought this up in the first place. Now you're acting like your ego's made of glass?"You don't have the right to comment on me. At least I've actually dated Soren Kenway. What about you?""So what? He broke up with you in the end!"I smiled. "That's misinformation. I broke up with him."A woman who had emerged from the bathroom stared at me, eyes wide. "You what? No way. You're bullshitting me.""I can't force anyone to believe me. Suit yourself."I tried to move past, but the woman still blocked my way."Please. We live in a civilized society.
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 447
In my melancholy, I hailed a cab and headed home.Jean called while I was on the way."You're discharged? Girl, you have not even fully recovered yet!" she scolded. "Damn it! I didn't visit today because I was busy, and now you've run off?!""'Running off' is a bit dramatic. I'm fine. I can rest at home. Don't worry about me."I felt guilty for making her check on me so often over the past two days, which was why I decided to go home.Everyone was busy with their own lives—my best friend included.Soren had once taken care of me so attentively. He had made me feel loved, cherished and cared for. It was the happiest I'd ever been.And now he was gone. Loneliness had never felt so crushing.Sitting in my apartment alone, I couldn't hold back my tears.I tried to shake off the sadness and lift my spirits. Then, knowing I had a lot to catch up on, I decided to go back to work the next day.-Jamie was stunned when he saw me. "Oh gosh, Miss Jones, are you… alright? You look hagga
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 446
I had never been hospitalized for being sick in my life! How was this possible?!Jean helped me complete the paperwork and led me to the inpatient wing.Unfortunately, that's where I ran into my ex-rival.Candy had a thermos with her, probably here to deliver some food.She seemed stunned by my appearance. "Taylor? Fancy seeing you here! Aww, you caught a fever from a breakup?"I rolled my eyes and walked past her. Talking to her wasn't worth my energy.However, Candy wasn't about to let it go. She quickly caught up with me and added, "You and Soren were actually serious, weren't you? He's sick, too, but he's staying home."I glanced at her. "He's unwell?""Mm-hmm. He's probably been really stressed out lately. He has some stomach issues, but I checked on him yesterday. He's recovering," she said sweetly, as though she were the one winning.Jean returned after paying for my stay.When she saw Candy, she immediately took my arm protectively. "Oh my God, why are you everywhere?
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 445
"Let's take some pictures!" I chirped.That way, I could look at them whenever I missed him.Soren frowned. "Hard pass.""Come on, it's just a few pictures. Before I left for Medhelanon, Candy shoved her phone in my face just to provoke me."Do you know what she had as your lock screen? Your side profile! Tell me why she gets to have pictures of you, and I can't, when I'm your official girlfriend?""I need pictures of you from every angle. That's only fair!" I said angrily, already adjusting my position to find the most flattering shots.Soren leaned in so close I could feel his breath. "You're an ex-girlfriend.""So what if I am? I wanted to take pictures that day when Candy humiliated me, but you weren't there, were you? You owe me this!" I yanked him closer. "Closer! You need to be closer to my face!""Kiss me!""My turn to kiss.""Now, both of us kissing!"I gripped his shirt with my free hand like I was afraid he might run. I made him pose for a dozen shots from every a
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 444
I punched the bed in rage."Who are you swearing at so early in the morning?" a voice called from behind me.Startled, I jumped and turned.Soren sat on the couch in front of the window, sharply dressed in slacks and a button-up shirt, as though he'd been waiting for me to wake.The curtains were still drawn, but it was late enough in the day that sunlight filled the room.His face held none of the sun's warmth. It was a far cry from how he usually looked at me.I sat up slowly as realization sank in. This was it—the farewell.I didn't want it to feel so heavy or final, so I threw on the attitude of a spoiled princess. "Why didn't you say something if you were up? You nearly gave me a heart attack!"He rested his hands on the armrests, one leg crossed over the other. I'd never seen him take such an aloof posture around me. Not since the day we met.He looked like someone who'd decided he was better than me. And suddenly, I felt like I couldn't measure up at all."I've been up
