I didn’t fault them for developing feelings for Elaine. I was willing to accept the care they lavished on her too. The only thing I couldn’t accept was the fact that they belittled me and hurt me repeatedly for her sake.
Now that I was gone, Ian was coming to my defense again, acting as though he cared a lot about me.
His feelings and protectiveness could truly change at the drop of a hat. They were worthless after all.
The second video showed Cameron standing outside my old apartment building. Even when everyone else sought shelter from the rain, he continued to stand out in the open and stare at the unit on the sixth floor. Never once did the lights in the apartment turn on.
Cameron’s eyes were filled with sorrow, but I didn’t feel any sympathy for him when I saw how pathetic he looked. I simply found it laughable.
Toward the end of the video, Cameron received a call. His expression dropped, and he immediately rode off on his motorbike. That part only lasted a few seconds, but I knew full well who the call must’ve been from. No one other than Elaine would make him panic like that.
Rubbing my aching head, I texted back to Jenny, “You don’t need to pay any particular attention to them anymore. They’re nothing but strangers to me now.”
Jenny agreed to my request. After chatting for a little bit longer, I turned off my phone. I looked out at the night
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Chapter 6
sky for a short while before busying myself with work once more.
The competition between Ian and me officially began. I knew my old company kept trying to find out who I was, to no avail. They were struggling to keep up with the tug–of–war between both companies over product pricing and the consumer market.
In the end, both companies agreed to send a representative to negotiate a deal over the division of the national consumer market and industry advancement.
After two and a half years, I finally returned to the city and the company I worked at for six years with a whole new identity. Many of the employees were still the same. I instantly spotted Jenny who shot me a wink.
I wasn’t just here to negotiate business. I was preparing to take Jenny with me too. She’d constantly lost out on her opportunities for a promotion to someone who came out of nowhere, and she never received a raise either.
Jenny could see the writings on the wall with regard to her future in the company. She figured she would be on the list for the next round of retrenchment.
Just then, a shrill voice rang out from the crowd. “It’s you! Why did you come back?”
I eyed Elaine coolly. After two years, she was no longer the sweet and innocent–looking young woman who could turn on the waterworks in mere seconds. Instead, she stood there in her heavy makeup, giving off a domineering air. I had to wonder what gave her the confidence to question me in public like that.
Otis Thornton, the company’s CEO, swiftly berated Elaine. “Elaine, get a hold of yourself! There’s a time and place for your nonsense. Our companies are here for a business negotiation. If you’re not involved, go back to your desk at once!”
Biting her lip, Elaine left with a look of discontent.
Meanwhile, someone came stumbling toward me. Ian, whom I hadn’t seen in ages, now looked scruffy and haggard.
As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up. He gulped as he stared at me in disbelief.
“It really is you, Belle. You’ve come back to see me.”
He reached out to hug me, but I avoided him. Taking in his crestfallen expression, I flashed him a distant yet polite smile and said coolly, “Kindly address me in a professional manner, Mr. Nash. I’m Belle Rowland, the vice president of sales at Sierra Pharmaceuticals and your business rival.”
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
