The Other "I Do"

I was packing my suitcase, getting ready to move out, when my girlfriend Olivia Ranch walked in, carefully holding up her assistant, Shawn Keiffer."Patrick, hurry up and make some sweet soup. Shawn's blood sugar dropped—he passed out earlier."Olivia's eyes were locked on Shawn, her face full of worry. Without even glancing at me, she tossed the order my way.I gave them a quick look.Unlike before, I didn't jump to greet her or rush to do what she asked. I just kept packing.When I didn't respond, Olivia finally frowned and looked up."Patrick, can you not understand basic—"She stopped cold when she saw the suitcase in my hand.Her expression darkened as she walked over."Patrick, what is this supposed to mean? You're really packing because you want to break up with me?"I didn't stop what I was doing and answered casually, "What, you thought I was joking?""You—" She choked on my indifferent tone, her eyes going cold as she glared at me."What about me?"I curled my li

Shawn was younger than me, more energetic, and way better at making Olivia happy.Little by little, my conversations with Olivia shifted from talking about everything under the sun to revolving entirely around the little details of her daily life with Shawn.It wasn't like I didn't notice the change in her.I tried countless times to save our relationship, to hold onto her.But her heart had already left me a long time ago.No matter what excuse I used to keep her by my side, all it took was one phone call from Shawn, and she'd rush to him without a second thought—rain or shine, hot or cold.The care that once belonged to me, the patience she once gave me—she handed all of it over to him.As for me, all I got were cold looks and endless complaints.Even so, I still couldn't let go.So I proposed again.This time, she said yes.But on the very day we were supposed to get married, she ditched me for Shawn once more.And the moment I saw their marriage certificate, I knew it w

"Let me congratulate you in advance, Shawn," I said with a smile, giving a mocking little clap as I brushed past him. "You finally managed to turn from a sparrow into a phoenix."I walked straight toward the banquet hall.The truth was, I knew exactly why Olivia had gone out of her way to drag me here today.It wasn't because she cared about me.It was because the industry-leading corporation signing with the Ranch Group tonight was a client I had personally landed.The executives at that company only recognized my skills. They had made it clear that all future cooperation between our companies had to be handled exclusively by me—otherwise, the deal was off.If I didn't show up tonight and they realized their terms had been ignored, that multi-billion-dollar project would fall apart.That was why Olivia had lowered herself enough to go all the way to the slums to bring me back.The moment I reached the entrance of the banquet hall, Olivia walked over from the side.Her perfect

Olivia quickly calmed down.She pressed closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Patrick, stop being sarcastic. I know I messed up—I really do. I even chased you all the way out here. Can't you see how much I love you?"I looked down at her in silence for a moment.Her love?No. Olivia, the eldest daughter of the Ranch family, had always been someone everyone adored and indulged. It was my constant refusal that had stirred up her desire to win me over. But the moment she succeeded, I would instantly become boring and disposable to her."Your husband is watching you right now. Don't you think you should go comfort him instead? Is it really appropriate to leave your husband looking so brokenhearted?"Olivia suddenly turned her head.Just then, Shawn stepped forward and hugged her."Olivia, don't go with him. Let's go home, okay?"I kept going, my voice sharp as a knife. "Olivia, stop doing things that make me lose respect for you. Once you've made your choice, there's no goin

I hadn't been keeping up with the Ranch Group's situation, but I still caught the latest news about it on TV.In order to appease the furious Renesas Group, the Ranch Group paid a massive penalty for breach of contract. To cut costs, they were forced to lay off a large number of senior employees.For a while, resentment ran high within the company, and negative press about the Ranch Group spread like a tidal wave.If not for the Ranch family's deep roots, the company might have collapsed entirely during that crisis.I felt nothing about it. Everything that happened was just Olivia reaping what she sowed.Once I had rested enough and decided to pursue further studies abroad, the Renesas Group somehow got hold of my number. A senior executive personally called me, extending an olive branch.I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted.But knowing that joining the Renesas Group might mean crossing paths with Olivia again someday, I ultimately declined the CEO's offer.Instead, I reach