Chapter b23 /b

“That’s right! You and Mr. Quinn have been together for three years now. It’s about timeb, /bbisn’t /bit?another chimed in. They all knew about her rtionship with Mason. He’d picked her up from the office more than once,

bVivian’s /bhands stilled. “No,” she bsaid/b, her voice calm. “We broke up. There won’t be a wedding. We’re bover/b.”

The sudden announcement left her colleagues speechless. But they were tactful enough not to press the bissue/b.

“Well, out with the old, in with the new,” one of them said cheerfully. You’ll meet someone better

“I think so too, bVivian /bsaid, smiling brightly

bJust /bthen, their boss, Richard Wood, a middle–aged man in a gray shirt, rushed in, wiping sweat from his brow. “Everyone, listen up 1 have an

announcement.

“A major corporation wants to acquire Dynastis,” he said, bhis /bvoice trembling with excitement. “As you all know, we’re a smallpany, barely staying afloat. This deal could change everything. It’s bthe /bopportunity of a lifetime. So who wants to take the lead on this”

“Mr. Wood, whatpany is it someone asked.

The international SIE Corporation,” answered Richard. A collective gasp went through the room.

“SIE The global top five conglomerate? Mr. bWood/b, are you sure you’re not dreaming our of the staffs eximed.

“I think I’m the one who’s dreaming,” the secretary said, her busually /bstoic expressionpletely shattered. “But it’s true. They’reing to the office this afternoon”

“Is this for real! Should we go home and change bsomeone /badded.

“Yes! I need to do my makeup!” another agreed

“I need a haircut!” the third also chriped.

Vivian was just as stunned as everyone else. How could this tinypany be acquired by a giant like SIE She was confused

“No need,” Richard said. They re just doing a preliminary visit. The actual negotiation will happen at a hotel. I need to choose someone to bgo /bbwith /bollibmc/bb. /b/li/ol

Everyone immediately looked down, including bVivian/b. But Richard’s eyes were fixed on her. In terms of looks, talent, and work ethic, no bone /bcame

bclose/b.

“Vivian. You’reing with me,” said Richard. “Go home, change into something nice. We’re meeting the people from SIE.

“Me? Vivian stammered, sull reeling from the shock. “Mr. Wood, are you sure cap handle it?

“You can. You’re the perfect fit, he said. Her beauty alone was enough to elevate thepany’s image. Hiring her had been ba /bstroke of genius.

vian nodded, a new sense of determination filling her. She would not fall.

Chlor, meanwhile, was seething. The memory of Vivian’s insults fucked her rage. She was punching her pillow, her face mask of ugly fury. But when Mason walked in, she immediatelyposed bherself/b, shifting her expression to one of heartbreaking vulnerability.

“bMason/b, you’re finally here,” she whispered. “You didn’t answer my calls, you didn’t reply to my texts. I thought you’d abandoned me. If you want to end thingsb, /bbjust /btell me. Please, don’t just give me the silent treatment. I can’t bear it.”

Mason’s heart ached with guilt. He rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms, “Chlor, what are you talking aboutb? /bbI /bwould never do that I was at my grandparents house all night. You know their health isn’t good. I can’t be on my phone when I’m with them:

He took her hand and made bto /bp his own face, Tm bso /bsorry. If you’re still angry, you can hit me

He was lying, of course. It was the first time he had ever lied to her, and he believed it was all Vivian’s fault. bIf /bshe hadn’t been so unreasonable, he wouldn’t have to deceive the woman he loved

Chloe snatched her hand bback /bbas /bif she’d been burned. “No, Mason, I believe you. Don’t be like that I’ve always been afraid I’m a burden to you. I’m sorry. I was just so scared that you would all leave me.”

Seeing her so fragile, so full of love for him, Mason’s guils deepened. “Chloe, what nonsense are you talking about! You are the love of my life. I will never leave you.”

“Really Chloe nodded, sniffling. “But Mason, I can’t be with you forever. I’m not worthy of you. You and Vivians you’re the ones who should be

4:18 PM d

together?

At the mention of Vivian’s name, a surge of anger went through bMason/b, Vivian had dared to defy him, and still hadn’te to him to apologize. “Don’t mention her to me, he snapped. “I’m going to end the engagement and marry you.”

Chloe’s eyes lit up, but she bquickly /bmasked her tion. bMason/b, you don’t have to do that. bI /bbsaved /byour life because I wanted to, not because I expected anything in return. Marrying Vivian is what’s best bfor /byour family”

Mason stroked her hair, his heart aching. To him, Chloe was such a good person. She had sacrificed her health for him. He couldn’t betray her. “Stop talking nonsense. I love you. My rtionship with Vivian was just an arrangement.”“

Chloe coughed, her face paling. “Mason, just hearing you say that is enough for me. I never dared to dream bof /banything more

Her coughing it grew more violent, and Mason panicked, calling for a doctor.

“She didn’t do the blood transfusion this month yet, right the doctor examined Chloe’s condition and asked. But then, Chloe’s sister, Lily Zalton. who was also a nurse, rushed in.

“Mason, are you trying to kill my sister!” she shrieked, her voice echoing down the hall “She’s lying in this bed because of byou/b! If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t even be standing here! All she needs is a little blood each month, and you can’t even provide that You’re just an ungrateful bastard. nning to throw her away?”

Chloe struggled to sit bup/bb. /b“Lily, don’t say that about Mason! He has his reasons! If you say one more bad thing about ham, I’ll be really angry

Lily just looked at Mason with disgust. “Chloe is too bkind/b. Do you really think anyone else would treat you with such selfless devotion? Search byour /bbconcience/b, Mason. She doesn’t even want to be your wife, she just wants you to be happy. And this is how you repay her!