Chapter 1

"Why do you need a statement of forgiveness from me?" Simone Parker questioned.

Dressed in a bespoke suit, she sat at her desk in the chairwoman's office on the top floor of Parker Group's building. Her gaze was haughty as she surveyed me.

But it wasn't very long ago when she was Cece Sawyer, the young woman in a faded T-shirt who followed me wherever I went.

The air conditioning in the office blasted icy air, giving me goosebumps. All I could think about was my wife, Ava Hurley, who was still stuck in a detention center.

So, I answered honestly, "A family member of mine was working for your company when someone made her the scapegoat for a crime she didn't commit. I don't need any wealth or status. I just want a statement of forgiveness that will allow me to set her free."

When Simone heard it was to save a family member, her taut expression eased ever so slightly.

However, Conrad Bateman, who was standing beside her, frowned and let out a sigh. His tone was mocking as he remarked, "Jason did save you, Simone. He also took care of you for so long. Even if he asked you to repay him by marrying him, it wouldn't be too much to ask for.

"But look at him. He came up with such a clumsy excuse just so he could act like he's being the bigger person. It's clear he's still pissed about me. Honestly, I feel rather guilty. We were in love before you lost your memories, Simone. Yet I'm the one who's being made to feel like the homewrecker now."

He chuckled bitterly and looked away.

Simone immediately took his hand, her expression full of heartache. When she turned back toward me, her gaze had turned cold again.

"You'd better know your place, Jason! Conrad is generous enough not to hold it against you, but I've already made it clear that he alone will be my husband—and no one else."

I kept my head bowed. There was only one thing I cared about. "Got it, so can I get that statement of forgiveness yet, Ms. Parker?"

How I wished she'd hurry up. The longer Ava stayed in that detention center, the more she'd have to suffer. She had a pretty weak stomach. If she were stuck in there any longer, her health might be ruined forever.

To make matters worse, the case was about to be transferred to the prosecutors for indictment. Time was running out.

My response made Simone choke on her words a little, and her expression turned darker. Snorting, she declared, "Whatever. You're just an ordinary man, and you did take care of me back at Faircove for so long. I've always been one to repay my debts of gratitude. So be it. I'll sign the statement of forgiveness."

When her assistant, Tori Williams, handed me the signed document, I accepted it with both hands, holding it gingerly like it was my greatest treasure.

"Thanks, Ms. Parker!" I said before scurrying out of the office immediately, moving in such a hurry that I even stumbled just before I reached the glass door.

I left too quickly to notice that Simone's hand was frozen awkwardly in midair, as though she'd been about to stop me.

But I did hear her let out a scoff. "Look at him, fleeing so quickly. He's too scared to let me see how heartbroken he is. Hmph! The more he tries to hide it, the more obvious it becomes."

Conrad clasped Simone's hand and said with obvious displeasure, "See that, Simone? He couldn't even bother to keep up with the pleasantries once he got what he wanted."

Simone slipped her arm around his and patted the back of his hand reassuringly. "Don't be upset. He comes from a humble background. It's only natural he doesn't know proper etiquette."

She stared beyond the office door with a mix of smugness and certainty in her eyes.

"He took a bottle to the head for me when those thugs were harassing me. He carried me through a rainstorm to find a doctor even though he was burning up with a fever himself. He's hopelessly devoted to me, so much so that he'd even sacrifice his life for me," she said.

"Now that I've returned and taken over the company, it must kill him to see me holding your hand all the time. That's why he's pretending to be so indifferent. He's just trying to get my attention."

Conrad clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with a flash of jealousy. "So, what are you going to do with him?"

Simone chuckled. "Since he saved my life, what would the people in our circle say about me if I let him leave just like that?"

She turned to Tori and instructed quietly, "Prepare an employment contract. Let Jason be my personal, live-in assistant. Arrange a room for him at Valley Heights. Once Conrad and I get married, I'll make other arrangements then."

Tori froze for a moment before hurriedly acknowledging the instructions.

Meanwhile, Conrad's face couldn't get any darker. He clutched Simone's wrist tightly as he exclaimed, "Simone! Didn't you say—"

"Relax, Conrad," she cut him right off, her tone firm and non-negotiable. "You're the only one who can be my lawfully wedded husband. No one will steal that position away from you.

"Even so, Jason is still hopelessly in love with me. In a way, I'll be honoring his devotion by letting him remain by my side as my assistant. As long as he behaves himself, knows his place, and stops trying to compete with you, what's the harm in keeping him around and supporting him financially for the rest of his life?"