Chapter 1

At the executive meeting for the project DY.

Carter Watson spoke in a mocking tone, "Well, well, if it isn't our college's innocent princess? After all these years, finally earning money through honest work instead of your body?"

Hannah Sullivan's face turned pale when she saw who was speaking.

Carter was that man's close friend.

Because of Carter's words, her former colleagues and employees from Felman Corporation stared at her with judgment in their eyes.

She felt like she was suffocating, as if she'd been stripped naked and paraded through the streets.

The scene was exactly like four years ago.

A few malicious words from certain people were enough to destroy her life.

She was the project manager. She'd followed this project from start to finish, and just moments ago, she'd been ordered to leave the DY team.

Hannah forced herself to remain composed, "Mr. Watson, why are you removing me from the DY project?"

Carter leaned his elbows on the conference table, fingers interlaced, and raised an eyebrow, “Project DY is Felman Corporation's flagship product. We've spent four years perfecting it, and I won't allow any weak links."

Hannah met Carter's gaze steadily, "Is there a problem with my proposal?"

"There's nothing wrong with your proposal. I'm very satisfied with Ms. Sullivan's work."

Carter cast her a degrading look before continuing, "The problem is with the project manager. I don't trust someone who used shortcuts in the past to take work seriously."

While Carter's words seemed to acknowledge her abilities, he was essentially telling everyone she'd gotten her position through questionable means.

She didn't defend herself. She'd tried that four years ago—it was pointless.

Hannah smiled and tilted her head slightly, "I've worked day and night for four years to reach this position, but one sleazy rumor is enough to destroy me. I really liked the DY project, but since you're the creator, perhaps it's not so special after all."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the conference room stood up. She felt a chill behind her and slowly turned around.

A group of men in suits had entered, and in the center was the man she hadn't seen in four years—Darren Lansworth.

The words that had torn her heart to pieces replayed in her mind.

"Why would I give you a million dollars? For your body?"

"You should have just said you could be bought. Would've saved me the trouble of pretending."

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to forget those words.

After just four years apart, Darren, still in his twenties, commanded the presence and authority of someone twice his age.

His boyish charm was gone, replaced by a perfectly tailored suit on his imposing frame. He embodied power and charisma—the quintessential CEO whose every gesture radiated unquestionable authority.

Everyone bowed respectfully to the newcomers, and Carter immediately vacated the center seat.

Darren nodded to everyone, saying casually, "Please, sit down. No need to be formal."

The group initially seemed tense but relaxed when they saw Darren's approachable manner.

Only Hannah knew that Darren's friendly demeanor was an act. Behind that pleasant face lurked a cruel man.

Her colleague Shirley Leedon seized the moment to stand up, "There might be some misunderstanding here. Before we clear it up, Mr. Watson, I can personally oversee the ‘DY’ project. Would that be acceptable?"

Shirley appeared to be helping, but she was actually stealing Hannah's project.

Carter nodded.

Seeing there was no turning back, Hannah turned and left the conference room.

Carter glanced at Darren, then watched Hannah's retreating figure thoughtfully.

The meeting continued after Hannah left.

Darren only listened for a few minutes before leaving, heading straight to Carter's office with familiar ease.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, he looked down at the people scurrying like ants below, including one familiar figure.

Hannah stood alone by the roadside waiting for a cab as light rain began to fall. She held her portfolio over her head as a makeshift umbrella.

The rain soaked her pumps and stockings, but she didn't look defeated.

Lansworth Capital was the investment firm behind Felman Corporation. Every so often, representatives from Lansworth would come to inspect operations. Carter asked his secretary to bring in Felman's documents.

Carter took the documents from his secretary and handed them to Darren, testing the waters, "Hannah Sullivan's abilities aren't in question. Should I bring her back?"

Darren unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down to review the documents. He said flatly, "Lansworth Capital is just the investor. We don't interfere with Felman's decisions."

From that single sentence, Carter knew exactly what to do next.

Carter's secretary, Lucy, brought in two cups of coffee. Lucy served Carter first.

Carter was slightly annoyed at Lucy’s poor workplace etiquette today. The next second, the coffee in Lucy’s hands spilled all over Darren's jacket.

Lucy gasped and frantically grabbed tissues to wipe Darren's jacket. "I'm so sorry! I was so careless!"

Darren helped her up gently. "It's fine. Everyone makes mistakes at work."

"Mr. Lansworth, please take off your jacket. I'll have it dry-cleaned. Or I can pay for it!"

Lucy’s eyes welled with tears.

A beautiful woman in tears was quite pitiful.

Darren took a tissue and wiped Lucy’s tears. "Such a beautiful woman shouldn't cry over something so small."

Lucy’s face brightened, but then Darren continued, "This jacket cost three hundred thousand dollars. Someone will assess how much you need to pay. Don't cry now."

Lucy’s tears stopped instantly. She stared at him wide-eyed in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Carter quickly ushered her out, then turned back to Darren. "Sorry about that. Poor management on my part."

Darren took off his jacket and tossed it in the trash can.

"No worries. I just don't want to see her again. Make sure she pays for it. I'm leaving now."

Darren left immediately, and Carter hurried after him. "Let me walk you out."

Hannah had been waiting by the roadside when she got a call from her ride-share driver, saying he suddenly had an emergency and asking her to cancel and find another car.

She looked down at her soaked shoes and stockings.

Just as she was about to file a complaint, she noticed a delivery driver squatting on the steps, crying as he opened his delivery bag.

She canceled the complaint.

Walking over to the delivery driver, he saw someone taking shelter from the rain and said timidly, "This food is clean, but I was late and the customer refused it. Two poke bowls. I can't eat both. Want one?"

When she didn't respond, he bit his pale lip and continued his pitch, "Sixteen dollars each. I'm giving you a ten-dollar discount."

The driver seemed to be selling like this for the first time and awkwardly withdrew his hand.

His feet had untreated scrapes, and his electric scooter on the ground had a broken side mirror.

The two meals cost only thirty-two dollars total.

Her own life was falling apart, but she couldn't ignore someone else's suffering.

She paid him for the bowl, tore open the disposable utensils, and squatted beside him on the steps, opening the takeout container to eat.

After three years of working day and night, she'd finally made something of herself.

Wearing custom professional attire, she thought she'd become respectable.

But here she was, back at square one.

It seemed only these dirty, damp corners of the city had room for someone like her.

The bitterness in her chest mixed with the savory pork as she swallowed.

When Darren's car left the company, his gaze remained fixed on the left side.

Carter, in the passenger seat, suddenly called out, "David, stop the car."

Carter dropped his usual carefree tone. "This Hannah... she really has changed. Did that slap from her mother years ago wake her up?"

Darren followed Carter's gaze to see someone eating under the awning.

A delivery driver sat an arm's length away from her, both eating in silence.

Just eating.

Simply filling their stomachs...

The awning was only three feet wide. When the wind picked up, rain sprayed inside, misting her long hair, making her look somewhat disheveled.

Darren looked away and loosened his tie. "Let's go."

After finishing her meal, Hannah called another ride-share. The driver's eyes lingered on her wet blouse, joking, "Lucky day today—all my passengers have been beautiful women."

Hannah replied irritably, "Well, your luck just ran out. You picked up a toxic woman."

The driver choked on his words. To ease the awkwardness, he muttered, "Now that's a fancy car."

She followed the driver's gaze to the rearview mirror. The luxury car he mentioned was following behind them.

Earlier, while she was eating, that car had stopped beside her for a moment.

Through the windshield, she'd seen Carter and Darren inside.

She'd imagined she'd never see these people again, and if she did, she'd be at her best. Instead, she was at her worst.

Darren's face was hidden in the backseat shadows, but his presence still dominated the space.

His face—the product of extreme material wealth—wore its natural expression of world-weariness.

Born with inherent arrogance and aloofness.

Someone born with a silver spoon, who knew nothing of hardship.

Ignorant of how ordinary people struggled, blind to their suffering.