Chapter 4

In my next three months with Brimble Network, Patrick never reached out to me.

Arabella paired me with the best team and granted me the highest level of clearance.

I threw myself into work to the point of forgetting sleep and food.

Occasionally, I would get updates on Patrick through the social media of others.

I simply smiled when someone brought him up in conversation on purpose.

With time, even the System gave up and left me alone.

I ran into Patrick at an industry summit once.

At the time, I was on stage presenting our core technology, my confidence overflowing.

Patrick stared at me among the audience, his mind blank.

When we brushed past one another after the event, he called out to me.

“If you choose to come back, I can forget the whole thing even happen.”

My eyes ran through his familiar facial features, yet his face looked so strange.

Taking a step back, I kept myself distant and aloof.

Patrick, his smile disappearing, pulled a long face.

“Very well. I hope you never regret this choice.”

From that day onward, Suede Corporation went after Brimble Network.

The attack was relentless, making the financial headlines for three straight days.

Arabella tried to reach out to Patrick, but he turned her away.

She grimaced hard. “Smart chips will be Brimble Network’s primary focus in the next few years. I won’t give up on this project. I’m going to the UK to secure investment.”

Arabella glanced at me before hissing through clenched teeth, “Skye, I’ll make you pay if you go back to Patrick.”

I looked into her eyes, red from exhaustion, and broke into a smile.

“We have an industry summit coming up at the end of the month. I’ll sort out the pitch. Rest assured, I believe in our development.”

Sighing in relief, Arabella sank her weight into me.

“Thank you.”

I fell silent for a bit. “I should be the one to thank you.”

Be it the umbrella five years ago or the backup plan five years later, my gratitude was all the same.

On the day of the gala, Joe delivered an evening gown to me ahead of time. “Ms. Brimble informed me to deliver this to you.”

I stared at myself in the mirror and stared vacantly at the floor-length black gown.

It had been five years since I wore anything fancy.

Back at Suede Corporation, I was always in the same few shirts, cooped up in the lab.

Patrick never took me to social events, so I never needed a decent wardrobe.

The ballroom sat at the top of a financial tower, glittering under brilliant crystal chandeliers.

Patrick stood right beside me with a stoic look.

“You schemed your way into the Suedes five years ago, and now here you are, moving onto the Brimbles. How far are you willing to go, Skye?”

I pulled back to leave, only for Patrick to grip my wrist.

“You were the one who came into my life, and now you’re going to walk away as if nothing happened? Why should I accept that? I’m telling you right now. You won’t get another chance. Arabella’s investment will fail. You’ll only ever be at my feet, groveling.”

I fought to break free from him before meeting his gaze.

On that fateful rainy date five years ago, Patrick came to me like a God descending from the heavens.

Like a moth drawn to flame, I was stuck by his side for five whole years.

The truth dawned on me now. A moment of warmth could never sustain everlasting love.

Standing center stage, I drew a deep breath and earnestly introduced our smart microchip.

The murmurs from the audience grew louder. Some shook their heads in pity.

Patrick sat among the crowd, his intense eyes unreadable.

At the end of my presentation, I stood there embarrassed as silence filled the air.

Patrick turned to me with a scoff. “As I told you, you won’t stand a chance so long as I’m here.”

Keeping my head down, I let out a bitter smile.

Out of nowhere, three crisp slaps rang up. Snapping my head up, I saw the familiar silhouette at the entryway.

The long-absent voice of the System boomed.

“Congratulations, Player. Your target’s affection has reached 100%. You have unlocked a Happy Ending.”

Patrick bolted to his feet.

Throughout the hall, mobile alerts started chiming one after another.

Someone among the crowd exclaimed, “Look at the news!”