Did he hate her? Or he couldn't accept she was the one he kissed? She probably shouldn't have come in the first place. Maybe it was time to leave. After all, her co-workers from the C Financial Group had left already. At first, she couldn't bear the thought of leaving him, and had persuaded herself to stay with all her might, but it turned out she had made a bad choice. She was still nothing to him.
They both loved each other, but a minor misunderstanding stopped them from declaring their hearts. They couldn't bridge the abyss of doubts and assumptions. Things were getting tougher and tougher for this love relationship.
Annie didn't move, face buried in her long hair, tears trickling down her cheeks. She didn't make a sound, though her shaking shoulders betrayed her sadness. Rain returned but what he saw plunged his heart into icewater. Did she hate him so much? Did the impulsive kiss make her feel so sad? Did she have someone in her heart? A million questions roared through his mind, but his voice caught in his throat. He couldn't step forward; all he could do was to turn around and walk away in silence. The abyss widened.
One quiet night was a sweet remedy for broken hearts, a lovely melody for desolate minds. It was like a beautiful song played on a flute, soundless notes floating in the air -- sad, soft, lasting but always unreachable.
Over one night, the Lin Group was about to fall apart. It had been one of the strongest companies the night before, and now it was on the brink of collapse. Thanks to its retailing business, their stocks hadn't become complete scrap papers. Edward did show them some small mercy.
Jessica's mind went utterly blank. She put her hands on her belly. This was the only thing that could bring her some happiness. Edward could be very cruel and she knew it well. For so many years he had closed his heart to all women around him. She had thought she was different and she would be the one by his side in the end. But this Daisy appeared from nowhere and took all his attention. This was unforgivable.
'Edward, do you really love her? Why is she so special to you? For her, you have no qualms about destroying the Lin Group. Do you know how bad it hurts me? But what should I do then? You know what, the more you want her, the quicker I will get her out of the way. You want to tell her you have nothing to do with me, then I will let her know about our undeniable connection. Let's see how long your protection will last.'
Without hesitation, Jessica picked up her phone, found the name 'Bitch' in her contact list and dialed. If she couldn't have him, no one could. May the bitch enjoy the taste of heartbreak.
The call went straight to voicemail. In a fury Jessica slammed her phone on the sofa. 'Do you really think you could escape my wrath so easily just by turning off your phone? You can't turn off you phone forever, Daisy Ouyang. I will find you in the end!'
"Miss Jessica, what should we do now? At this rate, our stock will be a shambles very soon. All the shareholders are outside and want an answer for this." The secretary's face was covered in a thin layer of sweat. He had thought the Lin Group's reputation could be recovered if they claimed that they were backed by FX International Group. He had been working on this all day but no one was buying it. Things just went from bad to worse, and their stock had fallen to an all-time low over one night.
"Answer? Those dinosaurs didn't have so much to say when they took our money. Now it's only a small problem and they just can't wait to take up arms! Great! They want an answer? I will give them one now!" Jessica sneered coldly. It was hard to tell whether she was pleased or sad for the inconstancy of human relationships.
"Can't we ask for Mr. Edward's help?" The secretary asked carefully. The problem they faced was only a breeze to FX International Group. Edward couldn't be so ruthless to sit there and watch them die. After all, Jessica and Edward had a fling in the past.
"Ha-ha! Edward's help? Edward is the one who dragged us into this mess. FX International Group is behind this the whole time. You still think he will help us?" Jessica said through gritted teeth. She abandoned her dignity to love this man, trying so hard to please him. She could ignore the countless women around him, hoping one day he would finally discover how great she was, and marry her of his own accord. But she never dreamed that Edward would treat her love like dirt for a poor bitch.
But it can't be! Our company has no conflict of interest with FX International Group. We're not competitors. He has no reason to do such a thing. Besides, Miss Jessica, you and Mr. Edward are very close, aren't you?" The secretary didn't believe Edward would do this for nothing. He didn't know what had happened but there must be something wrong. Attacking other companies on a whim was unlike Edward.
"No conflict of interest? That is what you believe. Edward always seems like a saint and plays like a devil. You should know how cold-blooded he is. Don't expect he will go easy on us. We should feel lucky he hasn't mounted a hostile takeover yet. I need you to leave, please. I'd like a moment alone." Jessica gestured him out with an impatient wave of her hand. She needed to think things over and hatch a plan to turn things around. Her father had built this company with his blood and sweat. She didn't want to be the one to give it up.
The mood was better in the CEO's Office of FX International Group. Edward studied the file in his hands, lips curved lightly, pleased with what he had seen.
"Great. Rain, very efficient. How about the other task?" Edward said with a smile. He put aside the file and glanced at Rain. What happened to him? Rain was leaning languidly against the sofa, with a look of dismay on his face instead of his usual smile.
"I'm on it. Relax. We are not the one who is begging." Rain answered tiredly, unwilling to change his listless posture. Even now, what happened last night still filled him with deep frustration. He left home very early this morning, just because he didn't know how to face Annie.
"What's wrong? You're acting like you tried to put a move on Annie last night and she brushed you off." Edward just said it in passing and didn't mean to tease Rain. But apparently Rain took it seriously, widened eyes fastened on Edward, wondering how Edward could know he had kissed Annie against her will last night. Could Edward read his mind?
"How did you know?" Sometimes Rain was one card short of a full deck. All you needed was a casual mention and he was ready to tell the whole story without knowing it. Small wonder Edward could string him along.