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My name is Cynthia Mitchell, and I had a fiancé named Henry Williams. At an investment banquet, Henry’s secretary recklessly poured a glass of red wine over investor Jason Miller and berated him loudly.
To seek revenge on Henry, Jason demanded that Henry’s lover, Annie Crawford, spend a night with him, or else he would withdraw his investment.
In order to ensure the successful IPO of Williams Group, Henry handed me a glass of drugged wine, intending to sacrifice me.
He looked at me, his eyes filled with hesitation.
“Annie is different from you. She just graduated–pure and
innocent.
“Cynthia, don’t struggle. I’ll make it up to you once Williams Group goes public.”
*****
When I woke up, I saw the man across from me. My voice was hoarse as I said, “I’ll sign the agreement.”
Antonio Steers closed the file in his hand and adjusted his gold–rimmed glasses. He looked at me with a condescending smile.
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“Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation, Ms. Mitchell.”
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As I looked at his refined, pale face, I recalled the scene from last night.
When I was being dragged toward a room by that greasy investor, the elevator doors opened. Antonio stood straight inside, like a king. As the elevator doors were about to close, I cried out to him for help.
The image of that man being brutally beaten to the ground, covered in blood, was still vivid in my mind.
I swallowed hard, unsure if I had made the right choice. Suppressing my unease, I forced myself to say, “Of course, we will.”
When I finished packing and left the hotel, I ran into Henry and Annie in the lobby.
He was holding Annie affectionately.
When he saw me, Henry awkwardly let go of Annie. Annie, however, rushed over to me with feigned concern. She pretended to be grateful, but her eyes were full of provocation.
“Cynthia, are you okay?
“Did that old man torment you? I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. If only I had endured his harassment, you wouldn’t have had to go through all this.”
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The crowd around us fell silent for a moment upon hearing this gossip. They all glanced at me discreetly, their gazes filled with both disdain and pity.
Henry shot me a look of disgust and pulled Annie back to his side, scolding her, “You’ll never have to endure it. Girls must learn to protect themselves.”
Seeing Henry ignore me, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of bitterness. I stepped forward, tears welling up in my eyes, and looked at him.
“Henry, nothing happened last night. Do you believe me?”
Henry’s expression stiffened for a moment, and his attitude softened slightly.
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Annie tugged at his sleeve, pouting, and said with feigned concern, “Mr. Miller said he would withdraw his investment if we didn’t meet his demands. But this morning, he called Henry and maid the cooperation would continue.
“I know every woman would choose to escape reality in such a situation.
“I also know, Cynthia, you’re lying to save face. I understand.”
I clenched my fists and glared at her. “Shut up.”
Last night, when I was dazed and soaked in ice–cold water, Antonio pulled me out of the bathtub, pressed me against the
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wall, and made me listen.
On the other side of the wall, they were opening champagne and celebrating loudly. They were convinced that once this deal was secured, Williams Group would successfully go public.
Henry looked at me with displeasure, scolding me for yelling at his little lover.
“Why are you being so harsh? Was she wrong?”
I stared at Henry in shock, tears slowly filling my eyes.
Perhaps my unusual demeanor startled Henry, as he rarely stepped forward to comfort me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and whispered, “Cynthia, you have to believe your sacrifice is worth it. Once Williams Group goes public, I’ll make it up to you.”
Seeing that I remained silent, he gradually grew impatient and said in a firm tone, “I know you desperately want to marry me. Once Williams Group goes public, we’ll have the wedding, okay?”
Looking at his impatient expression, I laughed at myself bitterly, “Cynthia, this is the man you’ve been chasing after, the man you’ve burned yourself out for, dedicating your youth to.”
My desire to spend my life with him had completely vanished by now.
I raised my head, holding back my tears, and said to him firmly,
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“Ho, I don’t want to marry you anymore.”
Annie flashed a sly smile and exclaimed, “That’s great! You don’t deserve Henry anyway.”
But Henry’s face suddenly darkened. He stared at me with a heavy gaze, not saying a word, trying to pressure me into submission,
In the past, whenever he fell silent like this, I would immediately apologize and try everything to please him,
But this time, I didn’t avoid his gaze, I spoke word by word, “Henry, I mean it, I don’t want to marry you anymore. This relationship ends here,”
“Cynthia,” he roared at me,
I stood my ground, unmoved.
After a long stare–down, he sneered, “I’ll wait for the day you regret this,” With that, he left me behind and walked away with Annie.
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