Chapter 3

Once everyone found out I'd bought this crappy little company, even the people who used to believe in me started giving me that look, like they didn't trust me anymore.

"A digital media company on its last legs is supposed to beat real estate? Especially on a project we've sunk nine figures into? Please. Looks like this newly returned Mr. Mark is all show and no substance."

"I'm still Team Mr. Jerome. Mr. Mark's been gone for ten years. How is he supposed to compete with Mr. Jerome, who's been studying business the right way since he was a kid?"

I tuned out the gossip and gave Jerome's cheek a light, confident pat. "My dear Jerome, I'm expecting great things from you, so don't let me down."

"Of course…"

The words died in his throat as the message landed. He was on the edge of losing it when Rosalie walked in, dressed head to toe in Chanel.

She froze when she saw me. "W-Why are you here? Don't tell me you knew I was coming and waited on purpose."

I gave a dry laugh. "Miss, do we even know each other?"

Jerome hurried over to her. "Rosalie, do you two know each other?"

Rosalie clearly hadn't expected me to cut her off that cleanly. Her expression flickered, and the color drained from her face. "No, Romy. I mistook him for someone else."

Jerome ran a hand through her hair and said with a mocking lilt, "Figures. Mark just got back. He barely knows anyone here and probably doesn't know much about business."

A flash of shock flickered in Rosalie's eyes, but she smoothed it away almost instantly.

Whispers broke out all around me, and people started giving me those side-eye looks. One by one, they edged over to Jerome until I was standing completely alone.

Jerome was basically mocking me and making me seem like some nobody who'd never seen the world—someone who was way beneath him and his elite circle.

What he didn't know was that even after all these years away from home, my business instincts still ran circles around his. After all, I was the one who dragged Burke Group back from the grave in my past life.

I was done looking at Jerome and Rosalie. I ignored the gossip, walked straight past them, and left.

…

The second I got home and unlocked my phone, a flood of WhatsApp messages popped up. I saw the name and immediately frowned.

Rosalie.

"Mark, I honestly didn't expect you to be the Swains' eldest son. But don't bother trying to go up against Jerome. You were just my useless little assistant, so don't drag Swain Group down with you.

"And with skills like yours, how do you expect to beat Romy? Just give up before you embarrass yourself further. I know you're into me, but I only love Romy.

"Even if you're back with the Swains, I'm not going to think any better of you."

Rosalie sounded like she had my best interests at heart, but every word was meant to put me down.

I ignored her completely and hit "block" without even thinking twice. It took her only a few minutes to realize she'd been blocked. Then she decided to call me directly.

I hesitated, then answered, purely for old times' sake.

The call had barely connected before she started screaming, "Mark Swain! Did you seriously block me?"

I sighed. "Ms. Burke, we agreed to go our separate ways, remember? What now? You regret it because you finally found out who I am?"

"Don't flatter yourself. Just don't come crying to me for help when you go bankrupt."

I snorted, my voice turning ice-cold. "Please. Do you even have 100 grand to your name? Maybe skip the holier-than-thou speeches if you're broke."

Right now, Burke Group was just an empty shell. In my past life, I was the one who dragged her through this exact crisis. This time around, there would be no rescue.

That was probably why she kept throwing herself at Jerome.