Blurb：
After six years by Lars Carter’s side—the ruthless CEO of Midas Capital and secret heir to the Viktor mafia clan from Virgil, Vitalus—Bianca believed she would rule Eastwind City with him. But everything shattered when Pearl Ross, Lars’ childhood sweetheart, arrived. Discovering their affair through financial records and office whispers, Bianca’s heart turned to ice.
Now, betrayed and determined, she agrees to an arranged marriage with Royce Farrell, the powerful CEO of Radar Finance. As Bianca navigates high-stakes finance, mafia bloodlines, and revenge, will Lars realize his mistake too late? Dive into a world of secrets, betrayal, and empowered transformation in this gripping romance.
Content：
I had been with Lars Carter for six years.
The head of Midas Capital in Eastwind City, he was a rising star in Riverton’s Silver Street—the heart of this nation’s financial world.
Few knew his true roots. Within him flowed the Vitalus bloodline. Lars descended from an old mafia clan from the city of Virgil in Vitalus, the Viktors.
Midas Capital was ours. We built it from the ground up together; Lars would haunt private clubs, ironing out business deals amid drinks. I would stay by his side, doing the accounts, steering the direction of the negotiations, and memorizing every detail of the high-stakes contracts.
We did everything together—a tight team.
Or so I thought. In my naivete, I was convinced I would rule the city alongside him. The woman behind the man, so to speak.
…Until Pearl Ross arrived two months ago.
His childhood sweetheart moved from Virgil to Eastwind City. It was then that I knew—she was the one he was waiting for all along. It had always been her.
“Lars, I want to get married.”
Lars’ face tightened; hesitation veiled in businesslike concern. “Bianca, you know the company’s at a critical stage… We’re mid-fundraising. I can’t right now.”
I smiled, calm and composed. “That’s fine.”
He misunderstood.
I was getting married—just not to him.
Chapter 1
“Mom, please tell Grandpa that I’m willing to go through with the arranged marriage.”
My mother, Ellena, was stunned to hear it.
“What did you say? Wait… What about your boyfriend? The one you’ve been with for six years?”
“We’re done,” I said with calm finality. “Have Grandpa arrange the marriage.”
My mother went quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Then…
“What’s the meaning of this, Bianca? I know Grandpa worked hard to find Royce Farrell for you. He’s the executive director and CEO of Radar Finance, and one of the world’s most powerful heirs. An excellent man, I’m sure, but when it comes to marriage… I hope you’re not rushing into things.”
“I’m not being impulsive,” I insisted, though my tone was frosty. “Please arrange it, Mom.”
When I called my younger brother yesterday, he accidentally let the secret slip. Our family had suffered a major loss in a Biscayne real estate deal, and our cash flow was going into the negative.
An arranged marriage was the safest way out.
In the past, I turned my back on my family for Lars Carter. The me from back then would have never agreed to an arranged marriage. What a fool I was!
But now, that fool is dead.
Lars, the love of my life. The CEO of Midas Capital, he controlled a plethora of investment funds, several arms dealings, and crypto asset platforms. He was a major player in Eastwind City’s financial world, mysterious and dangerous.
Few knew he was the heir of the Viktors, an old mafia clan from the city of Virgil in Vitalus.
For six years, I fought by his side and watched him rise from nothing. I thought I would be the woman standing with him, ruling this city by his side.
At least, until two months ago.
Out of the blue, Pearl Ross entered our lives. His childhood sweetheart, the darling from his younger days. Right after she arrived, she became his personal secretary.
The moment I saw her, I already knew—nothing could compete with their bond.
After that, Lars was always away on business trips or working overtime. Biscayne City, Zephyr City, Botolph City… Each time, it was just the two of them.
On the financial statements for every trip they took, I noticed that Lars and Pearl only booked one presidential suite. Upon checking the attendance records at our company’s Riverton branch, they would be together in a closed meeting room almost every night.
One fateful day, I ran into Pearl in the office hallway. She wore a dazzling smile, so bright that it seared my eyes.
“Hello, Bianca,” she said sweetly. “You don’t look so good. Did you and Lars have a fight?”
I shot her a cold look and turned to leave.
“Bianca,” she called me softly, “you’re almost thirty. Don’t be so childish. Radar Finance still hasn’t agreed to the financing deal, and Lars is under a lot of pressure. If you can’t help, at least don’t make things worse, okay?”
“Are you telling me what to do, Pearl? I founded Midas Capital with him. If he can keep you, I can make you leave,” I snarled.
Pearl froze, and her eyes suddenly started to redden.
“I… I was just trying to give you some friendly advice,” she stammered. “If you don’t like what I have to say, you don’t have to listen. There’s no need to say something like that…”
Lars happened to appear at the end of the hallway. His expression was frosty.
“Bianca, Pearl just came from Vitalus. She’s not used to the language or culture here. Can’t you be a bit more understanding with someone younger?”
Young?
I almost laughed. At most, she was just three months younger than me!
Standing under the harsh lights, I stared right back at him, locking eyes.
“Lars, I’ll give you a choice. Either she leaves…or I do.”
Yet, he didn’t even flinch. “Don’t make a fuss about this.”
Pearl’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
“Bianca, is there a misunderstanding here? Lars and I are just friends who grew up together in Virgil. You’re from a privileged family. You grew up wanting nothing. I get that. But I never insisted on staying at Midas Capital. If you don’t like me, I can pack up and leave Eastwind City…”
“Pearl…” Lars couldn’t hide the tenderness in his eyes.
I laughed, but the sound was hollow and frigid.
Without hesitation, I spun on my heel and walked away from the building—the place our financial dream had started.
Long ago, my father asked me to take over the family business. In my stupidity, I refused.
I loved Lars, so I willingly gave up everything to help him conquer Eastwind City’s financial world. How many times did I stay up until three in the morning, drinking and negotiating by his side, gambling away all we had for a scrap of future influence?
In the end, all I got for my trouble was: “Don’t make a fuss.”
That night, I video called my mom.
She sighed. “When are you coming home?”
“In about half a month.”
I looked back at the brightly lit headquarters of Midas Capital.
Lars, I gave you a choice—but you abandoned me.
Now, I’ve made my choice.
I’ll abandon you, too.
Chapter 2
When I got back to my apartment, I sat on the sofa for a long time.
I couldn’t understand how love could change so quickly.
Lars was once the man who would hold my hand through any storm. Now, he looked at Pearl with the same affection he once had for me.
Every time I questioned him about what was happening between them, he would simply say, “You’re overthinking. She’s just a childhood friend, and I’m just… I’m just used to looking after her.”
And… I believed him every time.
I used to have absolute faith that Lars loved me.
That was, until one fateful night.
Lars got drunk, and I went to pick him up at a private club in Riverton’s old district. One of his old friends was drunk too, and let something slip in front of me.
“Lars liked Pearl even before he came to Eastwind City from Vitalus. The reason he pursued you is because of your smile… It looks just like Pearl’s. He’s with you because Pearl turned him down back then. But don’t worry, the rest of us have talked to him. We told him to treat you right. After all, you’ve been with him for so many years… But you have to understand something, too. It’s not that easy to let go. They’re childhood sweethearts, after all…”
Beep… Beep… Beep…
It wasn’t until the kitchen timer went off that I was pulled back into reality and out of my reminiscence.
The medicine bottle lay in front of me, unopened. It was prescribed for my stomach pains.
I took out a pill and washed it down my throat with warm water. My stomach was aching, and I could hardly hold back the pain.
I got up and looked around the home I had designed and decorated myself. Then, I put down a clear mark on the calendar.
Fourteen days left before I leave this city.
With that, I started packing my things.
This home would become that woman’s belonging eventually. I didn’t want her to touch a single thing of mine—not even a hairpin.
As I soaked in the tub later that night, I scrolled through my phone and saw Pearl’s latest Instagram update.
[By day, he’s a stern CEO. By night, he lines up to buy cake for me. He said he wants to make up for all the years he missed. So happy!]
She posted a photo of a blueberry cake. While holding the cake, I spotted a familiar watch on her wrist. It was Lars’ watch—I knew, because I had a matching pair.
That year, we managed to pull off a merger on the East Coast that startled the financial world. Lars didn’t sleep for four nights in a row. I stayed by his side until we signed the contract that put Midas Capital on the map.
The same night the project ended, he took me to a luxury watch store on Fifth Avenue. He forced himself to stay awake and bought us a matching pair of watches.
I told him it was too expensive, but he put it on my wrist anyway.
“Bianca, I must be the one to give you everything you love.”
He never took that watch off.
Back then, everyone knew that Lars loved me.
But now… Everything was so ridiculous.
No one knew that all those loving looks weren’t meant for me. He was just using me to reminisce about someone else.
I let out a long sigh and took off my watch. Then, I snapped a photo of it and put it up for sale online for one dollar. No returns, no exchanges.
Lars didn’t come home that night, either.
I slept until noon the next day. Still exhausted, I dragged myself to Midas Capital headquarters for my resignation.
Over the past two years, as the company stabilized, I stepped back from the core management and focused instead on the design and art direction.
Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the design department, a few old colleagues stopped to congratulate me.
I was puzzled.
It wasn’t until Candice Smith, my best friend and the company’s HR director, pulled me into her office.
“Bianca, are you and Lars about to get married?”
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb! The florist just delivered a whole box of pink roses downstairs. Isn’t Lars planning a surprise for you? Maybe even a proposal!”
My chest tightened.
Pink roses—the flowers he gave Pearl when he picked her up at the airport two months ago.
Candice suddenly noticed the document in my hand. “Is that…?”
“My resignation letter.”
Candice froze. “You’re stepping down? Well, I suppose it makes sense if you’re getting married, my dear future Mrs. Carter!”
I didn’t respond.
She signed the paperwork, smiling as she handed it back.
“Bianca, you’ve been the best superior I’ve ever worked with. If you’ve decided to focus on family, maybe that’s for the best… Though I hope Lars doesn’t let you down.”
“I’m sure I’ll be happy,” I replied, my tone firm.
However, that happiness had nothing to do with Lars.
Chapter 3
Right before stepping into Lars’s office, I hesitated for a moment.
It wasn’t indecision. I was simply figuring out the most direct and effective way to get his signature.
As the top player in Eastwind City’s finance world, Midas Capital had attracted a lot of funds from the old money in recent years. Even if I were a co-founder, I had to do this by the book. To avoid future complications, the resignation process had to be clean.
I pushed the door open—before I could even say what I was rehearsing in my mind, I saw Pearl sitting across from him.
Now, I understand why her desk was empty today. She was already by his side.
“Lars…” Her voice was sugary sweet as she gently patted his shoulder. “You’re distracted again!”
Lars looked at her with a kind of affection I had never seen before. “Alright, stop messing around. I still have a contract to handle.”
“I’m not messing around…” she said.
Pearl shot me a challenging look, not even trying to hide it.
“Oh!” She smiled sweetly. “Bianca’s here.”
Lars froze; he quickly leaned back, instinctively putting some space between them.
I suppressed my anger. “Lars, I have some paperwork for you to sign.”
I handed him the documents and the folder.
Seeing that I wasn’t mentioning anything about him and Pearl, he visibly relaxed and nodded. “Alright.”
“I shouldn’t disturb you two from working. I should leave for now,” Pearl said. She stood up and left, deliberately brushing past me. Her perfume was making my nose itch.
Lars opened the file, and I was about to explain my reasons—until a sudden shriek sounded behind me.
“Ah! That hurts!”
I turned around, only to see Pearl buckling as one of her heels skidded and she stumbled to the floor.
“Pearl!” Lars immediately jumped to help her, but I raised my hand and stopped him.
“Sign it,” I said coolly. “It won’t take more than a few seconds.”
He frowned. “When did you become so vicious and heartless? Is this paperwork really that important?”
Before I could answer, I heard Pearl sobbing behind me.
“It hurts… I think I twisted my ankle…”
Lars couldn’t focus at all, desperate to get past me. However, I just glared at him silently. In the end, he impatiently grabbed the pen and signed where I pointed, not even skimming the details.
Good. That was exactly what I wanted.
I just wanted to leave this city where he existed neatly.
Lars picked Pearl up and gently set her on the sofa, carefully holding her ankle and comforting her, “It’s not swollen, but I’ll take you to the hospital just in case.”
“It’s really not that serious…” Pearl murmured. While doing so, she shot me a triumphant look.
I simply walked out.
I had just reached the parking garage when someone stopped me.
Lars was running toward me, out of breath. “Bianca, wait!”
When I looked back, he used this chance to block my car door. His eyes were full of urgency. “Don’t get the wrong idea. About us… There’s really nothing between me and her. We just grew up together… I can’t just ignore her.”
“Sure,” I said with a nod, my gaze dropping to his hand on the car door. He instinctively let go.
He was surprised. “You’re not mad?”
I glanced at him. “Should I be?”
“I…” He hesitated before taking my hand. “I’ve got an event tonight, but I’ll come home.”
“Alright.”
By now, him coming home felt like charity.
That night, I grabbed a quick bite outside, then returned home and kept packing. I was about to rest when my phone on the table buzzed.
It was a Facebook message from Pearl.
[See, Bianca? Lars still remembers my favorite pink roses! He’s even more attentive than before. Thanks for training him so well.]
She even attached a photo—it was the custom Porsche I had picked out with Lars, its trunk stuffed full of pink roses and strung with sparkling lights.
At that moment, I understood everything clearly.
All the genuine love Lars had given me over the years had always belonged to someone else.
Chapter 4
Lars didn’t come home that night. So much for his promise.
And not just that night… He disappeared for the next few days, too.
The entire time, I never reached out to him.
It was only during a casual phone call with Candice that she mentioned, “You haven’t heard? He’s on another business trip with Pearl.”
Her again.
Still, their trips gave me enough time to keep packing.
Seven days left on the calendar.
That afternoon, I was sorting clothes in my dressing room. My phone rang—it was Candice.
“Bianca, did you put the wrong address for your package?”
“What package?”
“Your wedding dress! It was delivered to the office, addressed to you.” She couldn’t hide the excitement in her tone, eager to hear the latest gossip about me. “He really went all out, let me tell you that! It’s a haute couture wedding dress from Felicity Couture, easily seven figures!”
My heart sank, and I drove straight to the company.
I opened the parcel, wrapped in champagne-colored satin. The dress was definitely my size, but something was off.
This didn’t fit Lars’ modus operandi. Even though the company made good money over the years, he had always been careful about spending. He would never splurge on something as extravagant as a wedding dress.
Besides… He never really planned on marrying me.
As I was thinking it over, my phone rang again. This time, it was my mother.
“Did you get the wedding dress, sweetheart? Mr. Farrell, Royce’s father, is putting a lot of thought into your marriage. I told him you’d be back in Botolph City in two weeks, and he’s already started to prepare the wedding. He even picked out the dress himself and sent it ahead of time, so you could try it on and see if the size matches.”
“Mom, did you give them my office address?”
“Yes, why? Did your company move?”
“…No.” I took a deep breath and calmed myself. “I’ll send you my new address. Send everything wedding-related there from now on.”
“Alright,” she quickly said, her satisfaction obvious. “Oh, right. Royce’s family is very enthusiastic, and they want you home as soon as possible. They say you can choose any kind of wedding you like. Do you want to pick the wedding planners yourself?”
“It’s fine, I don’t have any demands.” My voice was soft. “You can handle it however you think best.”
“Wedding…?” A cold voice interjected.
I quickly hung up and turned around. Lars was standing behind me, still in his black suit, looking confused.
I looked up at him. “You’re back from your trip?”
“Yeah.” He avoided my eyes as his gaze landed on the wedding dress. He frowned. “Bianca, I already told you. This isn’t the right time for a wedding. The company is at a crucial stage, and we’re in mid-financing. Can you stop pressuring me?”
“Did I ever say you were the groom?” I shot back.
He froze. “What do you mean?”
I smiled. “Nothing.”
I stepped forward and carefully packed up the wedding dress, ready to leave.
He grabbed my wrist, his tone softening, “Are you angry? I’m sorry, I’ve just been really tired these few days. Don’t get upset, okay?”
I didn’t argue and simply nodded. “It’s fine.”
He studied me. “Really?”
“Really.”
He visibly relaxed, though he was still suspicious. “Then keep the wedding dress. Honey, just give me some time… I promise, I’ll marry you.”
As he tried to calm me, he sounded exactly like a man worried about being pressured into marriage.
“You’re overthinking it,” I said.
Lars blinked.
“My college housemate is getting married. The dress was sent to the wrong address,” I lied.
His expression softened. He reached out to pinch my cheek. “Were you trying to scare me?”
“Let’s go with that,” I said, close to sighing.
Lars probably forgot that all my college housemates were already married. He had gone to every one of those weddings with me.
Back then, on our way home from the wedding banquet, he would always say, “Once the company stabilizes, we’ll have our own.”
The company had stabilized, but the wedding was just an unrealized promise.
Knock, knock!
The door opened and Candice walked in, looking like she was getting a sweet tooth from what she had just witnessed.
“Hate to interrupt you,” she said, glancing at the dress before turning to look at me, “but the interviews for the new design director are about to start. You need to at least be there.”
“Design director?” Lars was surprised. “You can’t handle the workload and are planning to hire someone to help?”
I shook my head. “No, I resigned.”
“You resigned? Why didn’t you tell me first? Bianca, you’re a core member of the leadership team! The design department is an integral part of the company. Do you know what your sudden resignation will mean to the company? How can you make such a rash decision?” he roared.
I looked at the man before me, suddenly feeling that everything was so alien.
“So, what do you want?”
“The process isn’t complete without my signature,” he said in annoyance. “Stop being such a mule and come back to work tomorrow.”
“Lars,” I started with a faint smile, “you’ve already signed. There’s a copy of the paperwork with Candice. You can review it at any time.”
He stood there, stunned.
I picked up the wedding dress and walked away, saying nothing.
The man I once loved didn’t even tell me not to leave.
Chapter 5
[Bianca, even if you want to get married, you shouldn’t use a wedding dress to force him.]
[Do you really think buying a dress means that Lars will marry you? Stop dreaming!]
[He promised me long ago. I’m the only one he’ll ever marry!]
At midnight, the streets of Riverton were still busy and bustling.
I sat quietly in my car, watching Pearl’s messages come in one after another. I didn’t respond to any of them.
It wasn’t until one in the morning that I finally went home. To my surprise, the lights were on.
When Lars heard the door, he couldn’t hide his anxiety and got up. “Where were you? Why were you so late?”
“Just went for a drive,” I said as I took off my coat.
He stepped closer, reaching out to hug me. I instinctively pulled away.
“Still angry at me? I was a little harsh today,” he said before pausing for a moment. “If you don’t want to work anymore, then don’t. As long as you’re happy.”
I lowered my head and said nothing.
“By the way, your birthday’s coming up.” I looked at him. “Any plans?”
He looked at me softly. “I’ll stay home and celebrate with you, of course. Just the two of us.”
He tried to hug me again, and this time, I didn’t refuse.
He seemed relieved, holding me close in his arms and whispering, “Bianca… I feel like you’ve changed lately.”
“You’re overthinking it.” I slipped out of his arms and headed for the bathroom. “I’m cold. I’m taking a shower.”
If this were in the past, he would have noticed right away and wrapped me in a coat before holding me tight. Now, he didn’t notice my almost-frozen fingertips or hear the shudders in my breath.
“Oh, right!” he said suddenly, and he followed me into the bathroom. “Where are your toothbrush and cup? They’re missing.”
I stopped. “Hygiene products should be replaced regularly. There are new ones in the cabinet.”
At that, Lars didn’t say anything more.
After my shower, I curled up in bed, ready to go to bed, but my phone started buzzing nonstop. It was Pearl again. She was sending one screenshot after another.
This time, the timeline stretched way back. One year ago, two years ago…and even much earlier. Every message came from Lars.
[Pearl, I listened to you and started dating. She’s nice… Her smile is just like yours.]
[Being around her, I always feel like I’m back in those days with you when we were still young.]
[Pearl, I dreamed about you. How have you been?]
It was only after Lars bought two key properties in Riverton that Pearl started replying more frequently. That was when they began sharing their daily lives.
Two years ago, when the lemon tree I planted finally bore fruit, Lars took a photo of it and sent it to her right away.
[Look, the lemons grew well. When they’re ripe, I’ll bring the biggest one to the office and make lemon juice for you.]
The cold light from my phone screen reflected my expression that I barely recognized. I had always known there was something between them, but knowing and seeing it with my eyes were two different things.
Seeing Lars telling Pearl every little detail I had poured my heart into…
At that moment, I realized that being a replacement for someone else was so much more disgusting than betrayal.
[Bianca, even if you don’t leave, the only woman Lars will marry is me!]
[I know you don’t want to give up your company shares, considering you helped him build the business. So, be smart. I’ll ask him to give you one hundred thousand for the severance.]
One hundred thousand?!
I couldn’t help but laugh, almost to the point of tears. A hundred thousand… It wasn’t even enough to cover a meal at my new fiance’s wedding banquet!
Then, the bedroom door opened. Lars stood at the door, holding up his phone, his face tense.
“Bianca, did you put the watch I gave you up for auction?”
That was what mattered most to him. His luxury watch, with a starting bid of one dollar.
Chapter 6
“Bianca, did you put the watch I gave you up for bid?”
I smiled lightly, and lied without hesitation.
“That wasn’t my watch. Didn’t Candice and her husband get a matching set, too? She wants to switch to a new one, so she asked me to help sell hers.”
Lars stood there for a few seconds, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “Really? For a dollar?”
Then, his tone softened.
“Bianca, I know I’ve neglected you lately.” He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out for me. “If you’re upset, just tell me. Don’t bottle it all up and stress yourself, okay?”
“Alright,” I said.
“After my mom passed away last year, you’re all I have left.” His voice was low. “Trust me. No matter what happens… You’ve always been the most important person to me.”
I leaned against him in his arms, catching a faint whiff of rose scent on his jacket.
“It’s late. I want to sleep,” I whispered.
“Let me hold you a little longer,” he said. “Is something bothering you lately? Just give me a few more days. Once things settle down, we can talk.”
Yeah, right.
He had been busy lining up for cakes, planning birthday surprises, filling trunks with pink roses, and making Pearl happy without me noticing. True, he was quite busy indeed.
Lars looked at me, brushing the corner of my eye. “Why are your eyes red? Were you just crying?”
I was about to answer, but his phone rang.
Lars let go and turned away to answer it, frowning as he walked out. At that moment, every bit of tenderness disappeared from his face.
I remained where I was and called his name:
“Lars.”
Yet, he didn’t even look back.
I got up and walked to the window, watched as he hurried downstairs and drove away, his last words still echoing in my ears:
“You’ve always been the most important person to me.”
I didn’t need those words anymore.
With a marker, I drew a line across the calendar. Tomorrow was his birthday. It would also be my last night in Eastwind City.
I had already ordered a birthday cake for him. We had spent so many years together, after all.
I shredded our photos on the wall into pieces and threw them in the bin. From now on, this place had nothing to do with me anymore.
Maybe it was because I had missed my meds for days, but I was awoken by my stomach pains early the next morning.
My thoughts went back to the first year we started the company… Just the two of us, and less than two thousand in the bank. To survive, Lars helped me chase clients, and I pulled all-nighters with him. We split hamburgers, and I was drinking for him at parties.
Later, to secure a round of funding, I drank through three parties in a row and ended up with a gastric perforation. The doctor rebuked him right outside my hospital room. Lars sat by my bed, a six-foot-tall man like him, crying like a boy who got into trouble.
“I’m sorry for not being good enough. Staying with me made you suffer,” he said.
“I’ll never let you down as long as I’m alive,” he promised.
How laughable.
I curled up on the sofa, cold sweat soaking my back. I took out my phone and dialed his number. No answer. I called twice more—still nothing.
At exactly ten, Candice called.
“Bianca, he didn’t show up at the office again! The paperwork’s piling up, and the financing deal is still waiting on his signature. If he disappears again, the company’s done for!” she cried.
Rubbing my aching stomach, I answered with a distracted hum.
“And…” Her voice sped up, “I just heard Royce Farrell, the CEO of Radar Finance, is having his wedding next week in Botolph City. If Lars wants to get the company listed smoothly, he must show up and make an appearance. Otherwise, it’s all over!”
I froze.
“Wait,” I said, my voice hoarse. “Who?”
“Don’t you know? Royce Farrell, the CEO of Radar Finance? If the Farrells give the nod, it’s almost a guarantee for our company to get listed!”
Chapter 7
“Farrell, Royce Farrell,” Candice repeated softly. “Bianca, he’s born with a silver spoon. Heck, I would say he’s born with a golden spoon! We’re going all out just to get the company listed, but we have to bet everything on him in the end. Radar Finance? That’s just a toy his family gave him to play with.”
Royce Farrell… CEO of Radar Finance and heir to the world’s most mysterious, family-owned financial empire.
The Farrells controlled core investments in the North and South Grand Continents, with investments spanning military, energy, and healthcare sectors.
Royce Farrell was born into privilege, but he had always been discreet and reserved. He had never stepped into the spotlight—not even once.
I sat by the window, looking out over the city at night, thinking about Royce’s name. It felt strangely familiar.
“Oh, right, have you set a date for your wedding? I want a paper invitation… Don’t you dare send me a digital one,” Candice teased.
I had a faint smile on my face. “It’s set for next week. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely get a paper invite.”
After I hung up, I called Lars. I didn’t expect him to pick up, but to my surprise, he did.
“You’ve been calling me repeatedly. What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to ask why you haven’t been to the office these past few days. What have you been busy with?” I asked.
“You didn’t know what I’m busy with?” His tone was mocking.
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”
“Then why did you have someone throw paint at Pearl’s house? She’s terrified! She’s always been timid, and now she can’t even eat!” he roared; his voice was full of accusation.
I closed my eyes, holding back the pain in my stomach. “She said I did it? And you just believed her?”
“She wouldn’t lie,” he answered.
Pearl wouldn’t lie, he said. In his eyes, I was the vicious villainess.
In an exhausted tone, Lars went on, “Look, can you just stop giving me trouble? Take care of things at the company for me. Pearl’s not stable now. She needs someone to accompany her.”
I took a sip of warm water. “I can’t make it. Gastric.”
Lars was silent for a couple of seconds, as if he was fighting back anger. “How many years have you had this gastric problem? Can’t you just tough it out? Do you think I’d ask if I wasn’t desperate?!”
To that, I said nothing.
Lars then snapped coldly, “Forget it, I’ll handle it myself.”
“Wait,” I stopped him. “Are you coming home tonight?”
He hesitated for a moment before his voice turned icy. “Bianca, are you really going to act up right when Pearl needs me most?”
His words hit where it hurt the most.
What was I even hoping for?
And yet… I still couldn’t let go of that last bit of possibility.
“But today’s your birthday. It’s also our sixth anniversary,” I said softly as I pressed my stomach. “You promised we’d spend every anniversary together.”
He was silent for a few moments, then gave in. “I… I almost forgot. Sorry, Bianca. I’ll come home and bring you your favorite dessert.”
I was about to reply, when suddenly a woman’s cries pierced the air in the background. It was Pearl.
Lars panicked, not even bothering to hang up. “Don’t be scared! I’m here, honey! I’m not going anywhere!”
I hung up instead.
The clock kept ticking. At three in the morning, my phone buzzed, and I received a new Facebook message.
[Bianca, Pearl is having nightmares. Don’t worry, I’ll be home before sunrise. Wait for me.]
I stared at the message, feeling like I was reading my very own obituary. Without hesitation, I got up and threw his birthday cake and all the food into the bin.
Finally, I opened that message and replied to him.
[Lars, it’s over between us.]
With one swipe, I blocked him and deleted his contact.
I pulled out my already-packed suitcase, turned off the lights, and walked out the door. Dawn was almost breaking.
I wasn’t going to wait for you this time, Lars.
You called me vicious and heartless, but nothing in this world hurt more than broken promises.
This time…
I would disappear from your world completely.
Me, my memories, and all my worthless love.
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