Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

With so many people present and the importance of the occasion, being scolded publicly made Mom and Dad's faces darken with embarrassment.Julianne immediately stepped forward and said softly, "Grandma, please don't be upset! You've misunderstood Irvin. He was only helping me because I hurt my leg."Irvin added with a sullen look, "Yes, Grandma. I didn't come here with Lianne. I ran into her at the entrance and saw that she was struggling because of her injured leg, so I helped her in."As for her injury, it happened because she heard that the rosaries from Sacred Church are particularly effective, especially when prayed for on one's birthday. She went to the church to get you a rosary. She climbed the mountain and sincerely prayed for your health and safety."It was an exhausting journey. On her way down, she slipped and fell, hence hurting her leg. But she didn't stop to rest because she wanted to make it to your birthday celebration on time. Grandma, Lianne genuinely loves you.

His words were so serious and convincing that even I almost believed him.He was truly a master of manipulation. It was no wonder the old me could never let him go.But it didn't matter. I was no longer the same person, and he could no longer manipulate me.The room fell silent.The crowd's emotions were complicated. They had thought they were merely aligning with Irvin's intentions by putting me down and holding Julianne in high regard.But now, they found themselves chastised by the very person they sought to please.It was… a lot to process.Julianne's face darkened ominously, so much so that words failed to describe her expression. Yet she gathered herself and smiled warmly at me in the blink of an eye."Millie, do you believe me now? There's nothing between me and Irvin. You just worry too much."Her words painted me as the crazy, paranoid woman again.But I wasn't the same anymore. Her provocation wouldn't rattle me.I replied with a smile, "Oh, don't blame me for worr

But in the end, Irvin's urgency wasn't for me.Without a second thought, he swam straight to Julianne, cradled her, and made his way to the edge. He didn't even glance in my direction. Not once.I couldn't understand it.Why, when I'd already forgotten him and let go of my love, did it still hurt so much?The pond was deep. Jeremy had insisted on it because he loved deep-water swimming.The depth overwhelmed me as I sank lower, struggling to find something to hold on to, but there was nothing. As I drifted deeper, I heard Julianne's voice, soft and frantic."Irvin, save Millie! Hurry!"Then came his cold, detached reply. "Leave her. She can swim. She'll be fine."I was drowning in fear and panic, barely able to breathe. But his words made my mind go blank.Right, I could swim!Back in college, I had even won a national swimming championship. How could I have forgotten? How could I lose all sense of reason and succumb to fear the moment I hit the water?I fought to remember a

Professor Green was elegant and refined. He smiled politely and replied, "Mr. Sawyer, there's no need to be so courteous. Ms. Quill has already thanked me."Irvin frowned. Men had a keen sensitivity to their territory, and Irvin instinctively disliked Professor Green, even though the latter had just saved me, his wife."If you ever need anything, feel free to come to me. Now, I'll be taking my wife with me," said Irvin while pulling me into an embrace so tight that I couldn't even struggle out of it.Professor Green noticed my discomfort and frowned. "You're making her uncomfortable. She's still very weak."Irvin's grim face darkened further at Professor Green's words. However, he loosened his grip on me slightly and glared at Professor Green without any of his earlier gratitude."Mr. Green, I'm grateful for you saving my wife. Whatever you need, I'll do my best to fulfill it. But you don't have to concern yourself with her anymore."The possessiveness in his voice would've made

My gaze darkened. "Mr. Walker.""Yes, Mrs. Sawyer?"Although his tone was respectful, the contempt in his eyes displeased me."You're fired. I'll have HR arrange compensation for you. Go pack your things and leave."I should feel lucky that even though I had made the mistake of leaving the academic path I loved for Irvin, I hadn't completely lost my mind.After investing everything into Irvin, I didn't walk away empty-handed. When the company became publicly listed, I secured shares second only to Irvin's.As the second-largest shareholder of the company, I had the authority to fire someone.In my journal, I had recorded numerous instances where Mr. Walker had humiliated me, and I was certain that a third of my emotional pain came from him.He was an employee who not only failed to respect the boss but actively belittled and manipulated me. Keeping him around would be absurd.Mr. Walker's eyes widened in shock. "What?""You heard me. You're fired.""Mrs. Sawyer, did you hit