Chapter 2

Back then, when I was in the hospital, Melissa stayed by my side, clinging to me with tears streaming down her face. "Don't kill yourself working. I just want you to be safe and well."

But now she'd forgotten that her company only stood shoulder to shoulder with Zucker Group because I backed her behind the scenes.

I fought the board for her again and again, even signed a 300 million guarantee, betting everything on her success.

She promised she'd repay me and marry me.

The truth? She found another man, and even used me as a stepping stone for his sake.

Nicolas sneered, his words sharpened to provoke. "Mr. Zucker, don't get so worked up. Melissa despises how easily you snap. Keep this up, and she'll never agree to marry you."

He smirked. "I really do hope you two patch things up. Today's the big day for your marriage license, isn't it?"

The words "marriage license" struck like a whip. I snarled, "It's not your place to run your mouth. Get out of my house!"

Melissa took Nicolas' hand, a reproachful frown creasing her brow. "If you'd apologized to Nicky, I might have helped you for old times' sake. But it's clear you haven't learned a thing. Then take this as your lesson."

The door slammed, echoing through the house.

I looked at the wedding decorations we'd put up around the house, and a bleak chill crept in.

Human hearts were fickle. Whatever love Melissa once had for me had vanished in a heartbeat.

I headed to the office to put the merger meeting between Zucker Group and Young Group on hold.

But before I arrived, Melissa had already called the meeting to announce the end of our engagement.

"I regret to inform the board that the merger between Young Group and Zucker Group is officially off. My engagement to Leonel is also cancelled. I can't allow my company to be tied to a tarnished name."

She added, "Furthermore, I'm pleased to announce my engagement to Nicolas, who will be joining Young Group as vice president."

I stood at the doorway of the meeting room, watching her and Nicolas speak before everyone, their hands entwined in plain view.

Barely able to contain his excitement, Nicolas wrapped an arm around Melissa and proclaimed, "I'm beyond grateful to Ms. Young for this incredible opportunity. She's given me the chance to rise into a social class I never thought I'd reach. More importantly, she's made it possible for me to marry the woman I love."

Melissa rose on her toes, cupped his face, and sealed it with a kiss.

The sight hit like a dagger to my eyes, a sharp burning sting.

I forced myself to regain my composure and stepped forward to interrupt the meeting. "Melissa, this merger meeting between our companies should be led by both of us. What gave you the right to convene it without me?"

Her gaze swept over me, cold and detached. "I'm protecting my company by ending my engagement to a man mired in scandal. How is that wrong?" she said indifferently. "As a business leader, I act in my company's best interest."

Nicolas gloated, deliberately raising his voice. "Ms. Young, why bother lying to him? Just tell him the truth."

Then he turned to me. "My apologies, Leonel. Ms. Young called this meeting to settle the score for me and to make sure everyone gives me the respect I deserve."

His words sounded apologetic, but his eyes betrayed a gleam of triumph.

The pain in my chest was so overwhelming I could hardly breathe. I looked into Melissa's eyes. "I have just one question. Did you ever consider my feelings in any of this—"

"Why should I care about your feelings? It's over between us, Leonel! I'm done with you!" she cut me off. "You used our marriage as a stepping stone to boost your company's profile. For a man who plotted every detail of the engagement for his own gain, why should I care how you feel?"

She hurled accusation after accusation at me, each dripping with hate.

But she'd forgotten how she once begged me to help raise her company's profile. I stayed up all night drafting a plan and finally decided to help her by tying our companies through marriage.

Her face had lit up with admiration when I proposed it.