Chapter 4

Aria never tried to contact me again in the three months I worked at Kensington Group. Nolan assigned me the most professional team and granted me the highest level of authority. I buried myself in work and often forgot to eat and sleep.

Occasionally, I caught wind of news about Aria through other people's social media feeds. Even when someone intentionally brought her up in front of me, I simply smiled and brushed it off. Gradually, even the system seemed to have given up on me and left me to my own devices.

The only time I happened to run into Aria was at an industry conference. I was on stage, confidently presenting our company's core technology, while Aria sat in the audience, gaping at me.

When we brushed past each other after the event ended, she suddenly called out to me. "If you come back, I can pretend that none of this ever happened."

I looked at that familiar face of hers, but for some reason, she suddenly felt like a stranger. I took half a step back, my demeanor cold and distant.

Aria's smile stiffened, and her expression hardened in an instant. "Very well. I hope you don't regret this!"

That marked the start of Langston Group's all-out war against Kensington Group. The fierce corporate battle raged on, dominating the financial news headlines for three consecutive days.

Nolan tried to reach out to Aria, but every door was slammed in his face. His expression was grim. "Smart chips are our company's top priority for the next few years. I won't give up! I'll head to Ostria to secure an investment."

He glanced at me and gritted out, "Clement, if you even think about running back to Aria at a time like this, I swear to God I'll end you!"

Looking into his bloodshot eyes, I chuckled. "There's an industry conference at the end of the month. I'll go and give the pitch myself. Don't worry. I have faith in our research and development team."

Nolan breathed a sigh of relief. It was as though all the strength had drained from him as he leaned against me. "Thank you."

I remained silent for a moment. "I'm the one who should be thanking you."

Thank you for the umbrella you held out to me five years ago and for giving me a place to fall back on five years later.

…

On the night of the banquet, Jonah delivered a suit to my door ahead of time. "Mr. Kensington specifically asked me to bring this to you."

I fell into a daze for a moment when I looked in the mirror and saw myself dressed in a bespoke black suit. I'd never worn anything like this in five years.

When I was at Langston Group, I had always worn the same couple of faded dress shirts, holed up in the lab. Aria had never taken me to any functions, so I never had a reason to own any proper formal wear.

…

The banquet was located on the top floor of a tower, where dazzling crystal chandeliers illuminated the room.

Aria stood beside me, her expression cold. "Five years ago, you pulled out all the stops to insert yourself into my family. Now, it's Kensington Group. Clement, just how many tricks do you have up your sleeve?"

I took a step back and prepared to leave, but she grabbed my wrist in a vice-like grip. "You're the one who provoked me, yet you're also the one who packed up and left. Who do you think you are? Listen here, you won't stand a chance. Nolan won't be able to secure an investment, and you'll spend the rest of your life begging at my feet!"

I pried my wrist from her grip and met her eyes.

Five years ago, on that rainy night, she had seemed like a goddess who had descended from the heavens. From that moment on, I had been like a moth drawn to a flame, guarding her for all that time. Now, I finally understood that a fleeting moment of warmth could never sustain an everlasting love.

On the stage, I took a deep breath and solemnly began introducing our smart chip. Murmurs rippled through the audience, but all I saw were people shaking their heads with looks of regret.

Aria sat among the audience with an intense fervor in her eyes that I couldn't quite understand.

After wrapping up my presentation, I stood there anxiously as dead silence fell over the audience. Aria sniggered and looked at me. "I told you, as long as I'm here, you won't stand a chance."

I lowered my head and smiled wryly. All of a sudden, three crisp claps echoed through the room. I jerked my head up just in time to see a familiar figure appear at the entrance.

The system, which had been dormant for a long while, abruptly sounded in my mind.

[Congratulations, Clement! The favorability level of your target has reached 100%. 'Happy Ending' unlocked.]

Aria shot up from her seat.

The audience's phones began ringing one after another.

"Quick, look at the news!" exclaimed someone in the crowd.