All Chapters of Seven Years Wasted: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

When I got home, I was still carrying the dinner I'd brought back for Harrison Knight.His schedule was always packed, so I made sure all three of his meals were ready on time, then delivered them to his office while they were still hot.But tonight, there was no need.Two minutes earlier, Celeste Foster had posted another update. She was at the hardest restaurant in downtown to get a reservation.In her selfie, a man's arm appeared casually at the edge of the frame. The diamond ring on his ring finger—the matching half of mine—caught the light so brightly it almost hurt to look at.I stared at the photo for a moment, then liked it.Funny enough, I'd gotten Celeste's contact information through a chance business collaboration.Later, I'd come across her social media profile and discovered that she was the ex Harrison had always refused to talk about.I was about to put my phone down when a message from Harrison popped up.[I'm having dinner with Celeste tonight for work. Don't

"Serena, have you given any more thought to my offer to join RT? Knightwell is too small for you. You're wasting your talent there."This was the third time he'd tried to recruit me.The first time was seven years ago, when he was raising capital with an international firm and wanted me to join him.I'd turned him down and joined Knightwell instead, back when the company was just getting started. I worked without a salary and even invested my own money to keep it afloat.Kevin had been furious that I was throwing away such an opportunity. No matter how hard he tried to talk sense into me, I refused to change my mind.The second time was just a few days ago, when we'd sat across from each other at the negotiating table, and I'd backed him into a corner.Afterward, he'd looked at me with equal parts pride and wariness. "Serena, are you sure you don't want to come work for me? I've kept this position open for you all these years. All I'm waiting for is your yes."Think about it. Yo

Scattered among the mess were documents I'd stayed up late organizing, candy I kept on hand in case my blood sugar dropped, and the only travel photo Harrison and I had ever taken together. It had been snapped in a hurry during a business trip years ago.I ignored Celeste and turned instead to Harrison, who had been standing off to the side, calmly watching the entire scene from the beginning.The moment our eyes met, some of the nonchalance disappeared from his face.After a brief pause, he walked over, picked up the photo, and carefully set it back on the desk."Celeste has a point. For convenience, she'll be using this office for the time being. Besides, most of that stuff is old anyway. If it's been thrown out, so be it. We'll keep this photo frame for now...""No need." I cut him off and said calmly, "You're right. When something gets old, it's time to throw it away. So I don't want this anymore either."With that, I picked up my laptop and walked out.Harrison stood frozen

"Ms. Foster, were you aware of this?""Ms. Foster, you just said you were in charge of this project. Why has the deal now gone to RT?""Ms. Foster, did Knightwell Group make false claims about its ownership of the project?""Ms. Foster—"Every question cut like a knife.Celeste's eyes reddened. Her lips trembled, and tears immediately welled in her eyes.Just as her legs were about to give out, a hand reached in from the side and firmly took the microphone from her.It was Harrison.At some point, he'd walked onto the stage. His expression was as dark as the sky before a storm, but he stood straight in front of the cameras, his voice steady."To our friends in the media, we'll be ending today's press conference here. We'll address any further developments in an official statement. Thank you."Without giving Celeste a chance to protest, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and half-dragged, half-guided her backstage.The moment the curtain came down, Celeste seemed to lose

I smiled and took a sip of tea. "What happened after that?""I showed them your proposal." Kevin leaned back in his chair, his admiration for me completely undisguised. "The entire executive team went silent for about three seconds. Then someone said one thing.""What?""'Whatever she asks for, give it to her.'"His exaggerated delivery made me laugh.The rest of dinner was easy and relaxed. Kevin was a skilled conversationalist. He knew what to ask and what to leave alone, keeping the conversation focused entirely on work and my plans for the future.But when it was time to pay, he suddenly made a seemingly random comment, "Serena, do you know what they're calling you privately at headquarters?""What?""The godsend who made us rich." His eyes crinkled as he laughed. "I seriously didn't expect you to bring us a deal this big. You know, the day your project landed, my division's stock jumped seven percent."I laughed too.By the time we left the restaurant, it was already dar