Chapter 8
Arm in arm with Jeff, we entered the banquet hall. Upon seeing Howard Foster approaching, I suddenly realized who he
was.
It turned out that Jake was his son.
Howard immediately corrected me, “Not partners. Didn’t your father tell you that your great–grandfather and Jake’s great- grandfather were comrades–in–arms?”
I gasped in surprise and joyfully called him Uncle Howard.
He acknowledged me with a satisfied nod, his face beaming with pride.
Jake and I exchanged a knowing glance and
smiled at each other.
This distant familial connection was merely a convenient excuse for socializing.
After a brief chat, Howard asked Jake to
entertain us while he went to greet other
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directors.
When Connor appeared, Jeff suddenly pushed me toward Jake.
Jake instinctively caught me, and my forehead pressed against his lips.
I froze in embarrassment, unable to move until Connor’s enraged voice echoed behind me.
He snapped, “Tara, have you no shame?”
After Jake helped me stand upright, I turned to face Connor.
I said, “Mr. Stevens, you certainly have a way with words. Could you please explain how I have no shame?”
Katie hurried over, her eyes flashing with resentment before she tugged at Connor’s
sleeve.
She said, “Connor, don’t forget why we came here. Let’s discuss your matter with Tara in private, okay?”
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Connor’s fists clenched tighter, but he
refused to leave.
Jake, sensing the tension, quickly intervened with a smile.
He asked, “Ms. Levy, do you know Mr. Stevens? Why don’t I arrange a place for us to sit down and talk?”
“No need,” I said.
“Thank you, Howard,” Connor replied simultaneously, our opinions clashing.
“Talk with him,” Jake urged me. “You don’t want to be bothered by this constantly, do you?”
I considered his words and realized he was right. Some things needed to be addressed openly.
So, we were led to a private lounge.
Connor’s expression gradually softened. He tried to take my hand, but I swiftly pulled
away.
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I said, “Mr. Stevens, let’s just talk. No need to get physical.”
Connor sighed, his voice filled with
helplessness. “Can you please stop being so formal with me?”
I snorted, “Formal? But Mr. Stevens, you were the one who insisted on keeping things professional.”
Back then, the company was doing well, and the stock prices were soaring.
I shared the good news with him, and he was having coffee with a friend in the office.
I called him by his name, and he got angry, saying we should keep things professional at work.
From that day on, I never called him Connor again.
Connor seemed to recall the incident, his face paling.
He pleaded, “Tara, I was foolish back then.
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Can you forgive me?”
“No,” I replied firmly.
Connor looked pained. “What do you want from me? You cheated and used a fake identity to deceive me, but I can forgive all that because I love you. But why can’t you forgive me for saying a few harsh words?”
I crossed my arms, coldly observing his pain.
I said, “Don’t act like a shrew.”
He choked on his words, his pain replaced by shock. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he stared at me, motionless.
After a moment, he opened his mouth, his body trembling as he laughed softly.
He said, “So, you’re just getting revenge on me. It’s okay, I accept it. Go ahead, don’t hold back.
“But after you’re done, can we go back to the way things were?”
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I scoffed.
Going back to the way things were. Such a
naïve thought.
Time could not be reversed.
I pondered for a moment before giving him a string of numbers.
I said, “The reason I can’t forgive you is in that safe.”
I would never speak of the child’s death; it would only make me feel worse.
Connor left, with Katie desperately clinging to him.
She shouted at me, “What did you say to Connor? Do you know how important this deal is for him? If he doesn’t secure it, his company will go bankrupt.”
I was surprised. After all, I had brought in so many big deals. But the company shouldn’t be on the verge of bankruptcy.
Besides, that no longer had anything to do
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with me.
Connor shook off Katie, who stumbled and fell onto the carpet, crying.
Connor didn’t look back, only saying, “You can stay here if you want.”
He left Katie behind, just as he had left me
countless times before.
