04

Once again, Allora opened her eyes.

This time, she was not in a ward, alone. She was in a warm and luxurious bedroom.

"Finally, after being away from home for three years, you are back. Why would you do this for a man?"

Recognizing the voice, Allora turned her head.

A tall, strong-looking man was sitting beside the bed. His face was handsome, and he radiated authority.

At the sight of family, Allora burst into tears.

"Uncle Rowan, I was wrong. I never should have left home. I shouldn't have hurt you for an unworthy man. I am so sorry."

Rowan Torres, an official in the army, softened when he saw his favorite niece crying. He held her patiently as she sobbed.

"It is okay. It is good to have you back!" Rowan said gently. "Lorrie, your parents died in an accident, and you were lost in the countryside. We tried so hard to find you. You are the treasure of the Torres family. We won't let anyone hurt you!"

Just then, a greying man entered the bedroom. It was Aldo Torres, the owner of Universe Group in Vagow. His presence had the power to frighten an entire city.

"Do not cry! Lorrie, you are the heir of Universe Group. Hundreds of millions of properties will be yours in the future. Whoever hurts you, let him pay!"

"Grandpa..."

Allora buried herself in Aldo's arms. Choking through her sobs, it was as though she was finally grieving all the injustices she had suffered over the past three years.

Aldo gently patted his granddaughter's back. "Lorrie, your parents died young. Rowan is busy with the army, and Wesley is working abroad. You are my only heir. Please do not do anything silly."

Allora felt warmth flood her broken heart.

"Grandpa, Uncle Rowan, I won't do anything so silly ever again."

Rowan nodded, relieved. "I am satisfied that you know what you are doing. I'll return to the army to continue my mission."

As they spoke, a figure rushed over, calling Allora.

"Lorrie! I have missed you so much!"

Allora's eyes widened in surprise. "Jennie! What are you doing here?"

Jennie Fowler, Allora's best friend, wrapped her arms around Allora, raised her cute face and gave Allora a big smile.

"I came as soon as I heard that you were back."

Aldo and Rowan left the bedroom so as not to disturb them.

Allora's eyes filled with tears.

To marry Mason, she had surrendered her identity as a Torres and cut off all her connections. In the end, she had been all alone. It was not worth it.

"Jennie, I missed you so much."

Jennie felt sorry for Allora. She wiped the tears from Allora's face, and felt a swell of anger at Mason.

"Did him break your heart? I'll teach him a lesson!"

"I have made up my mind. I want a divorce."

"Great!" Jennie beamed. "You should have divorced ages ago! You are a Torres; you can have any man you want. In fact, hold that thought. I'll call a bunch of men for you right now!"

Jennie was eager to find Allora a new boyfriend, but Allora stopped her.

"No, thanks. My career is more important right now."

Thinking about what she had suffered over the past three years, Allora still had a lingering fear.

"Will you take over Universe Group? Cayson is the CEO now. Ask him to arrange a position of vice president for you!" Jennie suggested excitedly.

Smiling, Allora shook her head.

"Why not?" Jennie did not understand.

"Cayson runs the company flawlessly. I do not want to profit from his efforts."

Jennie disagreed. "Lorrie, you are overthinking it. The Torres family's properties are all yours. Besides, Cayson has been obedient to you since childhood. He won't object to you joining as vice president."

Allora had a different idea. "But I want to prove myself. I am going to apply for a job in the company. I'll start off as a construction designer. Then I'll train myself up and get a feel for the company."

Allora was confident her plan would work.

Jennie was now sure that the bold and self-assured Allora she knew had returned.

"Lorrie, I am sure you'll succeed in the business world with all your talent. Then you can take Mason's company and make him kneel in front of you!"

Hearing his name, Allora froze. The trauma he had caused her was too great to heal in such a short time.

"No, there's no need for that," she said indifferently. "I do not want anything to do with him for the rest of my life."

Allora then opened a drawer and took out a document.

$Chapter

CHAPTER 05

In Bryant Group...

Marina barged into the CEO's office and asked Mason, "Why did you suspend my card?"

Mason was looking down at some document. Without raising his head, he answered, "To make you reflect on yourself."

"And what am I supposed to reflect on? Just because Allora wants a divorce? It is none of my business! It was Allora who hurt Kylie out of jealousy. I suggested she donate her kidney because I was worried about Kylie! Fortunately, Kylie is fine." Marina fumed.

"Enough!" Mason raised his head and glanced at Marina sharply. "Allora is my wife and your sister-in-law. It is not your place to teach her a lesson."

"She doesn't even deserve to be your wife!" Unconvinced, Marina pouted. "She said she wanted a divorce? Well, I think she was putting on an act. That sort of woman will cling to our family and try to get more money!"

Mason frowned. Marina's words were getting harsher.

Suddenly, his assistant entered the office and handed him a document. "Mr. Bryant, this is from your wife. She requested you sign it in person."

Mason took the document from his assistant, his heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. He knew that this was the moment he had to face the reality of his marriage.

"See? I was right!" Marina rolled her eyes disdainfully. "She hasn't even been gone for long but already her true colors are showing. She's unable to support herself so now she's sucking up to you. What she said about divorce is all fake!"

Mason did not reply.

His assistant left the room, giving him a moment of solitude to grapple with his emotions.

Unfolding the paper, his eyes fell on the words penned in Allora's elegant handwriting. A bank card fell out. And there was a divorce agreement already signed by Allora.

As he read her heartfelt request for a divorce, the weight of his mistakes bore down on him like an insurmountable burden.

Marina's jaw dropped once she set eyes on the divorce agreement.

"Does Allora really want a divorce?" A thought suddenly occurred to Marina. Her face darkened immediately. "Mason, does she want to divorce you so she can take half of your property? You can't let that happen. Do not sign the papers!"

Mixed feelings swirled in Mason's heart after he read through the document in a daze.

"On the contrary, she doesn't want anything from me," he muttered.

"What the fuck? That's impossible!"

Marina snatched the document from her brother. She could not believe her eyes. One of the clauses clearly stated that Allora was willing to give up any property that was supposed to be given to her as alimony.

The document already had Allora's signature.

After getting over the shock, Marina's joy knew no bounds. It was good news.

"This is great, Mason! Since you do not have to give her a penny, you should divorce her as soon as possible. Then you can marry Kylie!"

The thought of doing away with Allora gladdened Marina's heart. She relished the thought of Allora being miserable after the divorce. She did not notice Mason's face getting darker and darker.

"Get out!"

Marina's heart sank as she pleaded with Mason, her eyes filled with disbelief and hurt. "Mason! Why are you doing this to me? I am your sister!"

But Mason's emotions were in turmoil, and he seemed almost numb to her words. The realization of the web of lies and manipulation she had woven began to unravel before him. He could not ignore the truth any longer, and it weighed heavily on his conscience.

Without a word, Mason made a difficult decision. Marina's actions had cost him not only the woman he had married but also his own sense of integrity.

Swiftly, he ordered her removal from the company, cutting ties with the sister he had once trusted. As the door closed behind her, the office fell back into an eerie silence, mirroring the turmoil in Mason's mind.

Sitting at his desk, he could not escape the flood of emotions that washed over him. Guilt, regret, and sadness swirled within him as he replayed the events that had led to this point. The weight of his actions bore down on him, and he could not help but feel responsible for the mess he had allowed to unfold.

But amidst the chaos in his head, one thought stood out above all else – Allora. Her image was etched into his mind. He knew he had pushed her away, driven her to the point of divorce, and had been blind to the depth of her pain.

Mason knew that he had to find a way to confront his own demons, to come to terms with the mistakes he had made, and to seek redemption for the pain he had caused.

As the office remained quiet, Mason's resolve grew stronger. He was determined to find a way back to himself, to the person he had lost in the pursuit of power and control.

After a few minutes, Mason picked up his phone and dialed her number.

The line connected after a few rings.

"Why haven't you been picking up my calls?" Mason asked irritably.

An indifferent female voice came from the other end of the line.

"You must have received the divorce agreement, right?"

Mason asked, "Is that the only thing you have to say to me?"

"Yeah, that's all. Just sign the document, so we can both be free to live our lives."

Allora's voice was emotionless, and it broke Mason's last straw of restraint.

He bellowed, "Who was that guy that came to pick you up from the hospital? Is he the reason why you want to divorce me?"

"You have no right to question me, Mason. Do not stress yourself about what I have to do with another man. Go find your Kylie," Allora quipped sarcastically.

Mason was speechless.

He was wrong for accusing her of hurting Kylie.

"Allora, I told you that I would make it up to you for what Kylie did."

Allora laughed mockingly.

"For the last time, I do not want your money, Mason. Just give me a divorce. Sign the papers!"

Mason was extremely annoyed that Allora was being so stubborn. His hand tightened over the phone, almost crushing it. No woman had ever dared to stand up to him or turn him down. Allora was treating him like a rag that she could not wait to get rid of.

What insolence!

"Since you insist, Allora, I will do as you wish. Do not regret this later."

"Not to worry, Mason. I won't regret it. In fact, my greatest regret is marrying you in the first place," Allora uttered with ridicule. She then hung up the phone.