7
644words
Banks love lending,but not to those who can’t repay.
Ethan was that guy.
Using my old network,I poached his key clients.
Even his veteran staff jumped ship to join me.
He has now lost his money and employees and is asking for help everywhere.
But I didn’t care.The expo project consumed me—I had no time or energy to care about him.
In April,the expo launched.
Seeing months of work come to life,Grayson and I shared a smile.
This warm moment was ruined by an intruder.
Ethan,blocked by security, then shouted at the entrance.
I strode over,determined to protect my hard-won event.
When Ethan saw me, his expression changed from hideous to affectionate.“Emma,help me. I really have no way out…”
“The company’s your achievement and soul too.Can you bear to watch the company go bankrupt?”
Of course I couldn't bear it, so I will surely save it, but not now.
“Ethan,sell the company while it’s worth something.”
I meant it kindly,but he took it as mockery.
“Emma,you’re heartless!”He kicked a flowerbed.
Seeing my calm,he softened.“Emma,I’m begging.All things were my wrong.Come back to me.”
Now I was disgusted.
When help failed,he tried reconciliation.
But someone acted first.Grayson shoved him down.“Do you want to try to steal my girl in front of me?”
His arm circled my waist,and he pecked my lips, then said.“Emma is my lover.”
His tender tone felt real,whether for Ethan or me.
“You…you…”Ethan sprawled and pointed between us.
“We’re real couple.”I finished Grayson’s sentence firmly.
Ethan’s face fell.He stumbled up,walking away in a daze.
I pulled free of Grayson’s hug.“Sorry about that…”
“No problem.I enjoyed it.”His steady gaze made my heart race.
“Dinner tonight?To celebrate the expo?”
Meeting his eyes,I nodded.“Sure.”
In the evening,I entered the reserved restaurant to find it empty—he booked entire restaurant.
Soft yellow lights set a romantic mood,rose petals lining the path,signaling something special.
My heart pounded.
Grayson approached,holding vibrant roses.Stopping a step away,he offered them.“Emma,be my girlfriend?”
“I love you for a long time.”
His“love”made my face burn.
As a teen,I’d felt a crush on him,unclear what it meant before he moved.
That feeling faded,buried deep.
But lately,with Grayson,it had sprouted again,rooting in my heart.
I decide to be honest about my feelings.
Taking the roses,I tiptoed and kissed his lips lightly.“Yes, I do, my dear boyfriend.”
While I thrived in love and work,Ethan wasn’t so lucky.
Perhaps taking my advice,he sold his shares,avoiding bankruptcy.
Perfect.As he sold,I bought this company.
Eventually,I owned 100%of his company.
I merged both firms,scaling up,taking on bigger projects,and boosting our industry reputation.
Now,Natalie’s fate was mine to decide.I fired her without hesitation.
Unconvinced,she spat,“Hmph, what are you proud of? I’ll find dear brother.He must want baby!”
Her“dear brother”was Ethan.
After selling,he used the funds to start a small firm,hoping to rebound.
But it is not that easy.
Natalie’s pursuit of him became industry gossip.
Ethan still stung by her expo flop and refused her and kicked her out.
Furious,Natalie exposed him online for workplace misconduct.
She posted proof:Ethan called her”baby”, sending her money,even hotel receipts.
Netizens raged at his shamelessness.Some dug up how he’d relied on me to rise,only to cheat.
His already shaky reputation was obliterated.
No one would work with a disgraced man.His small firm teetered.
The expo ended triumphantly.That day,Grayson and I got engaged.
Many old staff attended our engagement party.
Under the influence of alcohol, everyone spoke with much less concern.
“Ms.Stone,good thing I followed you.If I’d stayed with Mr.Blake,my family’d be starving.”
They chattered about Ethan’s post-bankruptcy ruin.
I listened calmly,smiling.
The topic turned to Natalie.
“Heard she disclosed Ethan’s privacy online.Some CEO took a shine to her.”
“That’s old news. That‘CEO’was a gold-digger.His wife’s fierce—Natalie’s in for it.”
They gossiped eagerly.I listened quietly.
Their future has noting to do with me.
I cherished my present life.
