Chapter 1

After a moment of silence, Paisley Needham's voice burned with anger. "Remy Armer, I told you, we're just going through the motions. Are you seriously still hung up on this?"

She snapped, "I've already agreed to marry you. What more do you want? I'm warning you, don't push your luck!"

I tightened my grip on the phone, refusing to stay silent and give in like I always had before.

"Yeah, just going through the motions," I said coldly. "But even for something as simple as getting a marriage license, you wouldn't do it with me after five years together. Yet you went and did it with Jude instead."

For five years, all I dreamed of was a happy married life with her. Every time I tried to move our relationship forward, Paisley used the company's growth as an excuse. She said it was a critical period and told me to wait until things were more stable.

To help her stabilize the business, I took on all the dirty work. I worked overtime and attended endless meetings and business dinners.

When the company finally settled, she said she was too busy with work and had no time.

So I waited like that for five years.

Yesterday, I landed a project worth over a hundred million. Paisley finally agreed to get married, calling it a reward for me. I was over the moon, thinking that my patience had finally paid off.

But I stood outside the city hall until dark, and she never showed. Instead, I saw Jude Grayford's post showing off his marriage license with her.

They had even gone to another city to get the license, just so I wouldn't find out. Staring at the crisp, official marriage license, all I felt was bitter irony.

It turned out she just didn't want to marry me.

On the other end of the line, Paisley kept ranting. "Remy, are you deaf? I did it to hold onto the company's talent. Was I really wrong?"

I couldn't help but laugh. So many young employees were under pressure from their families to get married, yet she said nothing about them. Why did she care only about keeping Jude in the company?

Besides, what kind of talent was Jude? He could barely manage the simplest tasks. He didn't even know basic office software, and his performance was absurd. Half a year in, and he still hadn't closed a single deal.

If Paisley hadn't handed him my projects to pad his numbers, he would have been fired long ago. Maybe she didn't even realize how her favoritism toward Jude had seeped into every part of daily life.

Maybe in her heart, there was no longer any room for me.

Thinking about it, I let out a bitter laugh. "You're right. I've made a mistake."

Hearing that, Paisley's voice carried a hint of smug satisfaction. "Since you know you're in the wrong, delete those comments and apologize to Jude. Do you have any idea how this makes him look to everyone at the company?"

Before she could say more, I cut her off. "My biggest mistake was not breaking up with a player like you sooner."

"Remy, you're unbelievable! Fine, have it your way. You'll regret this!" she shrieked and hung up.

Moments later, my phone buzzed with notifications. She had removed me from all our shared apps. Whenever Paisley got angry, she would always do this. It was her way of forcing me to back down and give in.

But this time, I was truly exhausted. I didn't want to compromise anymore.

Just as I was about to turn off my phone, Jude tagged me in the work group chat. "Mr. Armer, Ms. Needham was just helping me deal with my parents. A boss as decent as her doesn't come around often. Don't get the wrong idea!

"If I had known it would upset you so much, I wouldn't have posted those photos on my socials. This is all my fault…"

Paisley replied right after. "Jude, you didn't do anything wrong. No need to apologize. The only one who should be sorry is that jerk who keeps throwing petty jabs."

Colleagues in the group chimed in one after another.

"Exactly, Mr. Grayford, this isn't your fault. Mr. Armer is just way too sensitive! He's jealous you're young and handsome, that's why he's spreading all these nasty rumors!"

"Ms. Needham is so kind, but Mr. Armer is just cold. How can he be so heartless?"

"Seriously! He deserved to be stood up. Well done, boss. It's about time someone put him in his place!"

Ever since Jude joined the company and Paisley made her favoritism obvious, these fence-sitters had become experts at sucking up to him. At the same time, they never missed a chance to step on me.

But I was used to it by now. Their petty insults couldn't hurt me anymore.

I wouldn't wait for a woman who never showed up or for a wedding that would never happen. I was tired of holding on to a love that never answered back.

I tossed the queue ticket aside and strode out. I hadn't gone far when Paisley called. I meant to hang up, but out of habit, my finger hit the answer button.

The moment the call connected, her haughty voice came through. "Remy, ready to admit you were wrong?"

Before I could say anything, she went on, her tone still commanding. "Don't say I don't give you chances. Jude spent the entire day traveling for the marriage, and he needs proper rest tonight. You'll take his place at the business dinner this evening.

She continued, "If you behave and do as you're told, I'll let those earlier sarcastic comments slide."

I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my palm. She seemed to have forgotten; I was severely allergic to alcohol. I couldn't drink at all.

Paisley used to remember. Whenever there were drinking events, she would decline on my behalf. And if she couldn't get out of them, she'd drink for me, coming home drunk and sick every time.

But now, the woman who once cared for me so deeply was gone.

This time, I didn't do what I always had. I no longer compromised meekly just to keep our crumbling relationship alive.

I replied coldly, "I'm allergic to alcohol. I can't go. Besides, that's Jude's responsibility. It's not my job to cover for him."

Before she could respond, I hung up and immediately called the company abroad.

"I accept your offer."