That sudden, unexpected proposal left me stunned. Minutes passed, and I had no idea how long I stood there like a marionette, just staring at Liam’s cautious face.
He bit his lip, as if summoning every ounce of courage he had. Even though his heart was full of fear and uncertainty, he forced himself to say those words out loud.
Finally, under his intense yet nervous gaze, I nodded slightly and uttered a single word:
“Yes.”
That simple answer seemed to drain all the strength from my body.
After I agreed to his proposal, I gradually calmed down. I started thinking about the future; after everything I had been
through, I had finally figured out a lot of things.
I understood now that as long as I could truly be independent and strong, I never had to fear being hurt by love again. Even if
I spent a lifetime with him, I would never forget the precious embrace I received today.
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The moment I said yes, Liam held me as if I were something fragile. He was so gentle and careful.
A few days passed…
While we were happily preparing for the wedding, Bruno heard the news too.
He rushed out of his company, not even bothering to change his clothes, and stormed straight to the Carter family home’s
front door.
That day, I was supposed to be heading out with Liam to pick out a wedding dress. As I was walking past Bruno, I caught a glimpse of his pleading eyes.
He quickly reached out and grabbed my wrist, his voice trembling a little as he said, “Do you really have to get married? Aelia,
I thought you didn’t believe in love anymore?”
Before I could respond, Liam rushed over and forcefully pried Bruno’s hand off, then protectively placed himself in front of
- me.
He glared at Bruno and yelled, “Aren’t you being too much of a scumbag for having regrets only after you lost her?”
Liam’s sharp tongue hadn’t lost any of its bites. His words were as fierce as ever.
I couldn’t help but think to myself that maybe, this talent really did run in the Carter family. After all, James‘ sarcasm was
just as on point.
When Bruno realized that Liam was the younger of the two heirs of Carter Incorporated, he didn’t dare say anything rude. He could only let us go as he watched with regret.
As for me, I thought we wouldn’t ever come across each other ever again.
Until one fateful day, when Bruno showed up exhausted, begging for my help.
“Can you please ask Liam to have his brother spare me?”
I was confused until I learned what happened later.
It turned out James had retracted his funding in the middle of the major project, the reason being that Bruno had
misappropriated company funds for personal use.
With such character, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t misuse Carter Incorporated’s investment. And so, James pulled out
Normally, this would have landed Bruno in jail, but the other shareholders managed to protect him as he was the company’s
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chairman.
Still, James had every reason to withdraw his money.
Withdrawing funding halfway through the project’s development was a huge blow to the company, especially since Bruno had poured almost everything into the project.
So, he had no choice but to come begging me.
I simply shook my head. “I’m not going to save someone who has nothing to do with me.”
James, who was looking sharp in his suit, with his beautiful wife holding his arm, smiled politely.
“Business is war,” he said. “Practice more if you’re bad at it. Oh, that’s right. I forgot–you don’t get a second chance.”
Strike while the iron is hot.
At this critical juncture, the companies that once had close ties to my father teamed up with the Carters to short Elshine
Corporation’s assets. Bruno was saddled with massive debt after a short time, and he was forced to sell the company for a
pittance.
