Semua Bab So What If the Heroine Forgot Me?: Bab 1 - Bab 9

I arranged to meet Nolan at the cafe below the company. The system was pacing back and forth in my head. [Have you really thought this through, Clement? Are you seriously joining Kensington Group? Nolan's only taking you in right now because he wants to keep you away from the heroine. Once your relationship with the heroine develops, he'll come after you even more ruthlessly!]As I buttoned my shirt, I responded absentmindedly, "At least he can offer me a fair wage, so I won't end up destitute in a foreign land. Besides, Nolan didn't rise above all his siblings and secure his position as the heir of the Kensington family by being some empty-headed scion. So…" I left it at that.Five years ago, I traveled to the capital all on my own to look for my family. The security guards at the villa had looked down their noses at me and ruthlessly driven me away. Aria had swooped in like a dame in shining armor, reprimanded the guards, and brought me back to Langston Manor. Consequently,

Aria never tried to contact me again in the three months I worked at Kensington Group. Nolan assigned me the most professional team and granted me the highest level of authority. I buried myself in work and often forgot to eat and sleep. Occasionally, I caught wind of news about Aria through other people's social media feeds. Even when someone intentionally brought her up in front of me, I simply smiled and brushed it off. Gradually, even the system seemed to have given up on me and left me to my own devices. The only time I happened to run into Aria was at an industry conference. I was on stage, confidently presenting our company's core technology, while Aria sat in the audience, gaping at me. When we brushed past each other after the event ended, she suddenly called out to me. "If you come back, I can pretend that none of this ever happened."I looked at that familiar face of hers, but for some reason, she suddenly felt like a stranger. I took half a step back, my demeanor col

Ever since the system announced that I had successfully conquered my target, it disappeared. It didn't reappear until three months later, when I walked out of Kensington Group's office building after working overtime. [Long time no see, Clement. How have you been?]The corners of my lips lifted slightly. "Not bad. Much better than before."The system fell silent for a moment. [I reported your situation to headquarters. You're the first host since our inception to complete a mission after changing targets. It might even lead to a major overhaul in our future operations.]I stopped in my tracks and couldn't help but say, "Honestly, it wasn't your fault. I was the one who kept clinging to that sliver of warmth from five years ago, so I made one mistake after another. However, I believe that the people in this world should not be reduced to mere labels like male leads and supporting male characters, nor defined solely by rivalry and conflict. We're living, breathing human beings who

Aria stood at the entrance to my office, looking even more haggard than she had at the press conference. Her dress was rumpled, her makeup was slightly smudged, and her eyes were bloodshot. Nolan poked his head out from behind me and let out a derisive chuckle. "Are you sure you're in the right place, Ms. Langston?"Paying him no mind, she looked straight at me. "I'd like to have a word with you, Clement." Right after saying that, she took a step forward, but Nolan instantly stepped in front of me. I patted Nolan on the shoulder. "It's fine. I'd like to hear what she has to say." Nolan shot daggers at her and begrudgingly stepped aside. Instead of leaving, he leaned against the edge of my desk, keeping a watchful eye on her. Aria took a deep breath. "Langston Group's almost finished." I remained silent. "I know I brought this on myself. That proposal of yours—the one I casually tossed into the trash two years ago—I want to pick it back up now, but it's too late." Her voi