Chapter 1

Seeing me step out of Vittorio’s office, Elara stood up from her desk at the entrance. She wore a dazzling smile.

"Isabella, why do you look so pale? Did you quarrel with Vittorio?"

I didn’t even want to talk to her and just brushed past her, intending to leave.

"Isabella!"

Elara called out to me, her tone dripping with unsolicited advice.

"You'll be thirty next year. Don’t act as willful as a spoiled girl. Vespera Capital still hasn't budged an inch on the financing and Vittorio had been agonizing over it. Even if you can't help him, at least don't distract him at a critical time like this."

I frowned slightly, my gaze calm but piercing as I looked at her.

"Elara, you have to know this company is established by Vittorio and me. He might tolerate your presence, but I can easily have you removed."

"You…" Elara momentarily froze up. She hadn't expected me to be so ruthless. Stunned for a moment, she quickly shifted to a pitiful tone.

"I was just trying to give you some advice. You don't have to take it to heart. But why do you have to drive me out of…"

"Do I have the guts?" I arched my eyebrows.

Vittorio walked out, his voice laced with a cold reprimand.

"Isabella, she’s just a little girl, new to the city and all alone. Even if she said something improper, why can't you be a little more understanding?"

I almost laughed out loud. A little girl? Elara was only three months younger than me. A sharp, bitter sting rushed to my eyes. I took a deep breath to steady myself.

"Vittorio, I’ll give you the last chance. She leaves, or I do."

"Isabella Falcone, don't be unreasonable." Vittorio snapped.

I froze and tried to rack my brain, but I couldn't remember the last time he had called me by my full name.

"Isabella, don’t get me wrong. We're just childhood friends." Elara pleaded, her eyes reddening as she looked at Vittorio pitifully.

"Vittorio, I knew Isabella has been coddled her whole life, just let her have her way. Don't wrangle with her over me. I've been used to reading the room since I was little. I can take a new job. As long as Isabella is happy, I'll pack my things and leave…"

"Elara!"

Vittorio couldn't hide the flash of heartache in his eyes. I just offered a hollow smile and walked straight out. It wasn't until I stepped out of the headquarters that I realized my vision had blurred. I wiped the tears away carelessly, pulled out my phone, and dialed.

"Mom…"

I suppressed the tremor in my voice.

"Please tell grandfather. I want to enter into a business marriage."

"What?"

My mother sounded thrilled, but quickly caught herself.

"Wait, what about Vittorio you've been with for years?"

"He's gone."

She let out a heavy sigh.

"When are you planning to return home?"

"In about two weeks."

Hanging up, I looked back at the towering skyscraper and felt a sense of bitterness. I gave Vittorio the chance before, but he never valued it. Now that he chose to cast me aside, I would do the same to him.

The next day, I slept in until noon and only headed to the headquarters afterward to hand in my resignation. Unexpectedly, as I walked from the design department to HR, colleagues kept congratulating me. Serena Russo, the HR manager, dragged me into her office the second I arrived.

"Spill it. Are you and Vittorio finally tying the knot?" She wore that classic gossip-hungry look.

"What?" I was completely bewildered.

As a founding member, Serena never beat around the bush with me, always said what's on her mind.

"Don't tell me you're still hiding it. Vittorio is making such a massive spectacle. Who doesn't know he's going to propose to you?"

I frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

She slapped a hand over her mouth.

"You have no idea at all? Could it be that Vittorio is planning a surprise for you? Someone just saw a florist delivering flowers to him downstairs. The entire trunk of his car was stuffed with pink roses! It's not your birthday and anniversary. If it's not a proposal, what else could it be?"

Pink roses reminded me of the arrival of Elara two months ago. Vittorio had bought pink roses to pick her up from the airport. My finger dug silently into my palm. I pressed my lips together, staying silent. Serena glanced down at my hand.

"What's that?"

"I'm here for resignation."

"I knew it!"

Her eyes lit up with realization. "Vittorio is definitely proposing to you. You're already preparing to step back and be a devoted wife. Come on! Let me sign your papers."

"Alright, that’s a valid way to look at it."

I didn't bother explaining and handed her the documents.

Serena grumbled, "Why didn’t Vittorio give me a heads-up beforehand. Now I'm scrambling to find a replacement for your position on such short notice."

She finished signing and handed the papers back to me.

"Just get his signature on it, and you're done."

Then, she gazed at me, wearing a soft smile.

"Isabella, I’m not sure whether returning to the family is the correct path, but as your old friend, I really wish you happiness. I hope Vittorio doesn't let you down."

"Thank you. I will be happy." I nodded but told myself, “My well-being is completely independent of Vittorio from now on.”