Semua Bab After Calling Me Old Crow, He Fell Hard: Bab 1 - Bab 9

The first time I really heard the words "old crow" was during the company's Monday morning meeting.Sadie Laurent kept her eyes down as I scolded her, a teardrop glistening at the corner of her lashes. And during the short break, someone muttered under their breath, "She really is an old crow—always picking on the young and pretty ones."For a moment, my thoughts froze.That single line stirred up a storm. Whispers rippled across the room, each one sharper than the last."She's just throwing her weight around—bossing people for no reason.""Thirty-two, and still clinging to an eight-year relationship that's going nowhere. Talk about persistent."I set my cup down, and the room went dead silent. Countless eyes turned to me, as if I were the one who'd done something wrong.Sadie dabbed her reddened eyes with a tissue. "Ms. Stone, I'll double-check the data again.""Not double-check—redoing," I said, forcing my voice to stay cold despite the sting in my chest. "Before tomorrow's m

I steadied my breath before speaking again. "So your idea of being meticulous is letting someone who can't even organize a report hold the core data hostage?"Sadie's eyes immediately filled with tears. Her voice trembled, dripping with wounded innocence. "Elara, I know I'm not as smart as you, but I've really been trying my best…""It's not your fault, Sadie," Jace interrupted, slipping an arm around her shoulders. His voice softened tenderly, but when he turned toward me, his expression shifted—his eyes filled with irritation. "Elara, are you done? You nitpick over every little thing. Honestly, you're acting more and more like an old crow."The word hit me like a slap. For a moment, I just stared at him, stunned.He ignored the hurt on my face, his tone rising with every word. "Not only can't you do your job right, but you even constantly cause drama! Calling you an old crow is putting it lightly. Look at Sadie—so humble, so gentle. I'm saying this for your own good!"Sadie lean

"I've already gotten rid of that idiot Sadie! And everyone who ever called you names—I'll make sure they pay! I won't ever let you suffer again! Elara, I can't live without you…"He reached out, trying to grab my arm, but I sidestepped his touch. I looked at him steadily, a faint sadness rising within me. So this was what I'd been to him all along—a tool to clean up his mess. Someone he could beg when he needed help, then dumped when he was done with."Jace, don't you get it even now?" My voice came out calm, stripped of any feeling.A flicker of hope flared in his eyes as he looked at me, desperate."I didn't leave because of Sadie, or because we never got married," I said slowly, each word deliberate. "I left because I finally saw the truth—you, Jace Pryor, are not worthy of the love I gave you for eight years. And you're certainly not worthy of the life I plan to live."Without another glance, I stepped back and slammed the door shut. Jace slumped against the cold wall, the rin

With trembling hands, he finally signed his name on the agreement.When the negotiation ended, Mitchell Zellner and his team left in defeat, their faces grim and sullen.Lana stood, walked over, and gave my shoulder a firm slap. "Beautifully done. That's how Ardent Capital gets things done! Tonight's celebration dinner—my treat!"But with that triumph came the death knell for Pryor Inc. The very next day, during office hours, a frail figure burst into Ardent Capital. It was Melinda.She ignored security and shouted into the open space, her voice breaking with desperation. "Elara Stone! I know you're in there! Come out! Come out and see me!"Through the narrow slats of the blinds, I watched the commotion downstairs with a cold, detached calm.The receptionist's voice came nervously over the intercom. "Ms. Stone, Mrs. Pryor insists on seeing you. She's very emotional…""Tell her I'm in a meeting. Ask her to leave." My voice carried clearly through the line."You can't be so heart

Sadie lifted her wineglass, ready to press it to the man's lips, when a furious voice thundered her name from behind. She froze, the glass nearly slipping from her trembling fingers.She turned in shock. "J-Jace?" Her voice quavered as she instinctively shrank closer to the middle-aged man."You whore!" Jace's eyes burned scarlet as he lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of Sadie's hair and yanking her out of her seat."Let go of me! You're insane!" she screamed, clawing desperately at his hands."Insane? Damn right I'm insane! You drove me to it, you filthy bitch!" He roared, his voice echoing through the bar. "Look at her! Everyone, look at this woman!"He shoved her forward as he shouted, pointing at her disheveled hair and smeared makeup. "This is the woman who ruined me! She's the reason Elara Stone turned on me! The reason Pryor Inc. went down! The reason my family's in ruins!"With every word, he dragged her harder. Sadie shrieked and struggled, sobbing as bystanders began