Chapter 1

“Ms. Anderson, there are rumors claiming you owe the miraculous success of your company to Oscar Smith, the former chief analyst. What do you have to say about that?”

With her shocking business growth, Celine had become the youngest person to grace the cover of a financial magazine as “Person of the year.”

When she was asked about her relationship with me, she smiled gracefully at the camera.

“He used to be my employee, but he’s left the company.

“As for the rumor that I’m his fiancee, I hope everyone minds their own business and stops being delusional.”

It was already nighttime. I leaned against the couch and stared at the clock.

Four hours had already passed, but Celine did not call me at all.

A day ago, her company’s market capitalization had hit the billion-dollar mark.

She was extremely joyous as she hugged me. She said that I was her lucky star and that she wanted to formally announce our engagement during tonight’s forum.

I was extremely delighted when I heard that.

I had asked her nine times before to announce our relationship. She always agreed, but then, she would come up with excuses after that.

It was the first time she had brought it up on her own.

I was hopeful when I prepared her speech for her. However, the next day, she delivered a fatal blow to me in front of all the mainstream media.

She also included her assistant’s photo on the company’s founder webpage and announced my departure.

My phone screen kept lighting up on the table. The topic of a poor man’s delusion was trending in the financial space.

I tapped on the news catatonically, and there were thousands of comments. Every single one of them was filled with disgust and ridicule.

[What a joke. If my memory didn’t fail me, this would be the ninth time that Oscar is quoted as the power behind closed curtains.]

[Such delusions. He wanted to marry a rich, beautiful CEO. He should take a good look at himself and see if he’s worthy of that!]

[Ms. Anderson already hinted multiple times that he was acting shady to get her. Now that she’s cleared the air, regardless of how shameless he is, he should get the point now!]

[I’d suggest Oscar to look at the photos of the banquet dinner. The new deputy CEO, Matt White, is a perfect match for our investment goddess. He’s so handsome and talented.]

Following the link, I came across the article, [The Match Made in Heaven].

Celine and Matt were standing intimately in the photo.

She was looking up at him with a bright smile under the chandelier. They were also drinking champagne while locking arms.

When I saw that, my chest throbbed with pain. It was as if the blood in my body had been frozen.

The celebratory dinner I made had gone completely cold, just like my heart.

Just as I was about to throw away the dinner, I heard the digital lock of our apartment door beeping.

When I met her gaze, Celine immediately threw herself into my arms and spoke coyly like how she always did. “I’m sorry, Oscar. Management had a last-minute meeting, and they wouldn’t allow me to leave.”

It was the exact same excuse.

She would use this excuse every time she broke a promise or returned home late.

It seemed she had forgotten that I had set up this company especially for her. No one dared to ask her to work late.

I felt the energy drained out of me. I was too tired to argue anymore.

Celine frowned when she saw the food on the table. “What were you doing the entire afternoon? Why didn’t you clean up the leftovers from lunch?” she asked in displeasure.

I felt a little bitter, but I forced a smile. “You said you’d want to come back and celebrate. You asked me to prepare everything and wait for you.”

Upon hearing that, she immediately felt guilty. Then, she smiled sweetly at me.

The moment I asked if she was truly in a meeting, her face fell.

“Oscar, what do you mean? Sure, I didn’t mention you earlier, but do you have to blow things out of proportion and question me?”

Celine looked angry. In the past, if she showed any sign of anger, I would immediately give in.

I was afraid that anger would ruin her health.

However, I was exhausted.

“I saw the news online.”

Hearing this, she was momentarily stunned before sneering. “It’s all for the company. We need a bigger headline to gather everyone’s attention to earn more money.

“Besides, why are you comparing yourself with an assistant?”

I had also been in the industry for a very long time. Of course, I understood the importance of marketing.

However, how could I allow someone else to take credit for all the hard planning I had done for her?

I gave up on arguing when I saw her sure expression. Then, I immediately stood up.

I threw away all the gifts I had prepared for her into the trash can right before her eyes.

When I left and shut the door, I could hear her frustrated voice. “As if you wouldn’t come back begging and crying for me to marry you!”

I did not hesitate.

I would no longer do that.

Never.