In the depths of his heart, a profound self-loathing resided, haunting him like a relentless ghost. As he stood there, freshly graduated and newly embarked on the journey of adulthood, destiny led him to cross paths with Yang Yue, an alluring young lady associated with Yang's Construction Co., Ltd.
Like a wild duck taking flight and transforming into a majestic phoenix, fate seemed to elevate him to unforeseen heights in the presence of Yang Yue. But this newfound status and proximity to her brought back haunting memories of a familiar scene that had once unfolded before him—a moment that had left a permanent scar on his soul.
In that vividly recalled scene, Yang Yue casually opened her handbag, revealing a mound of cash before Georgia. The sight of it gripped his heart with anxiety, turning his once-cheerful face as white as a blank canvas. It was a sight he could never forget, and with Yang Yue's haughty smile and cutting remarks, the wounds of the past were cruelly reopened.
"Soft persimmon, two years have passed, and yet you remain as eloquent as ever," Yang Yue sneered, her scornful eyes scanning Georgia condescendingly. "But...James is right. This is not a place for impoverished girls like you. Take the money and get out of here!"
In a swift and heart-stopping gesture, Yang Yue tossed the money toward Georgia, and the crimson banknotes fluttered to the ground like a cascade of falling leaves.
The events that followed were reminiscent of a previous encounter where Yang Yue had bribed Georgia's friend, Xiao Wan, to stay away from James. Though Georgia had convinced himself that he had moved past this incident, the resurgence of that painful memory left his heart trembling once more.
But this time, something was different. Fueled by an inexplicable surge of courage and strength, Georgia's hand moved with lightning speed, slapping Yang Yue's face with an audacity he had never before displayed.
Her shocked expression soon gave way to anger, and Yang Yue attempted to retaliate, but Georgia, towering above her, easily grasped her hand, denying her the chance to strike back.
"You think I'm the same person I once was? The one who allowed you to humiliate me without uttering a word?" Georgia's voice was laced with an unexpected ferocity, leaving Yang Yue taken aback. She instinctively called out to James, who had been standing by their side.
"James, snap out of it! Help me! Can't you see she's attacking me?" Yang Yue pleaded, hoping to enlist his aid.
James's momentary daze was interrupted by her plea, and without hesitation, he stepped forward, ready to act.
But before he could carry out his violent intentions, a divine intervention occurred. From seemingly nowhere, a large hand swooped down, seizing James's wrist with an iron grip.
It was Jack—the enigmatic man who materialized like a guardian angel in the nick of time to save Georgia from impending harm.
Yang Yue was quick to demand answers from this unforeseen savior. "Who are you? Release my husband immediately!" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury.
But Jack paid her no mind. Instead, he pulled Georgia protectively to his side, asserting his dominance over the situation.
All at once, Georgia felt an inexplicable warmth emanating from Jack, even amidst his usual aloof demeanor. Though his words remained composed and distant, the concern he exhibited towards Georgia was palpable, like a gentle touch to heal her wounded heart.
With a demeanor as cold as ice, Jack stared down at Yang Yue, his intense gaze piercing through her like a blade. "Your husband?" he scoffed, his voice low and icy. "Since when did he become your husband?"
The question hung heavy in the air, shrouding the scene in tense silence. Yang Yue's eyes widened in bewilderment and shock as if the reality she believed in had been pulled out from under her feet. In that moment, it was evident that there was more to the story than met the eye.
"Jack, what are you talking about? He's my husband, and we have a life together!" Yang Yue retorted, attempting to regain her composure.
"Oh really?" Jack's voice remained dangerously calm, sending shivers down Yang Yue's spine. "Then tell me, did he willingly choose this life with you? Or did you manipulate and force him into it?"
Confusion and fear clouded Yang Yue's face as she struggled to respond. The memories of her past actions came rushing back, haunting her conscience. She remembered how she had seduced Georgia into a relationship, using her family's power and wealth as bait, and how she had mercilessly crushed his dreams and self-esteem when he no longer served her purpose.
But now, standing before her, was a changed man—a man who no longer allowed himself to be manipulated, a man who had reclaimed his self-worth. And he was protected by a force she couldn't comprehend: Jack.
As if reading her thoughts, Jack continued, "Your little games of manipulation won't work anymore. Georgia has awakened from the nightmare you ensnared him in. He won't be your pawn any longer."
The weight of Jack's words seemed to sink into the very core of Yang Yue's being, forcing her to confront her actions and the consequences they had wrought. It was a moment of reckoning—a moment she could no longer run away from.
As the truth dawned on her, Yang Yue's proud facade crumbled, replaced by a vulnerable and regretful woman. "I... I didn't think it would come to this," she stammered, tears glistening in her eyes. "I never wanted to hurt him... I just wanted..."
But before she could finish her sentence, Jack's expression softened ever so slightly, the hardness in his eyes giving way to a hint of understanding. "You wanted what you thought was best for yourself," he said, his voice gentler than before. "But in doing so, you forgot that others have their own dreams and aspirations, their own right to choose."
Georgia watched the exchange between Jack and Yang Yue, feeling a mix of emotions—anger, pain, and a tinge of sympathy. He had once been trapped in Yang Yue's web of manipulation, but he had also found the strength to break free and forge a new path.
In that moment, he realized that while he despised Yang Yue's actions, he didn't despise her as a person. He understood that she, too, was a victim of her circumstances, just like he had been. And perhaps, just like him, she deserved a chance at redemption.
"Let's go," Jack said, gently taking Georgia's hand. "We don't need to be here any longer."
With a final glance at Yang Yue, Georgia nodded, acknowledging the past but choosing to move forward. As they walked away, a weight lifted off his shoulders, and he felt a glimmer of hope—a hope for a future free from the shackles of the past.
And so, the three individuals—Georgia, Jack, and Yang Yue—each carrying their own burdens and scars, walked separate paths, their lives forever intertwined by a fateful encounter that had changed them all. As they ventured into the unknown, they knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, but they also knew that they had the power to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and embrace a new beginning, filled with growth, forgiveness, and love.