Chapter 11
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Emily’s tearful expression finally broke into a smile as she cuddled up against Andrew. However, a glint of gleeful triumph flashed in her eyes.
To prove to both himself and the rest of the world that this was a new beginning, Andrew started bringing Emily along to all sorts of high–profile events.
He bought her the most expensive jewelry, brought her to the most upscale auctions, and even rented out entire restaurants just for her to dine in.
Lucy did her best to play along. She behaved all sweet and lovely in front of others, obeying his every word.
Alas, Andrew was the only one who knew that behind this seemingly perfect life was his ever- mounting level of fatigue.
Lucy’s whims and demands grew ever more outrageous.
She spent one day complaining about how the private jet wasn’t big enough and the next ranting that the champagne on the yacht wasn’t the right vintage.
The day after that, she threw a tantrum and smashed everything around her, all because he refused to skip an extremely important international meeting to fly abroad and see the northern lights with her.
Every single time, Andrew would be reminded of the so–called debt of gratitude he owed her for saving his life. He would then choose to compromise and give in to her.
That being said, the frustration and hollowness in his heart continued to snowball.
Now and then, he would find himself vaguely recalling how, in the last five years, not once had Emily ever asked him for anything. She would always stay on the side in silence, passing him a glass of warm water when he got home and quietly preparing a snack for him when he worked
overnight.
The thought lingered for only a second before vanishing. But somehow, it made him feel even
more bothered.
Slowly but steadily, three years passed.
The rose–tinted glasses that Andrew had when it came to Lucy slowly came off in the daily interactions he had with her. They’d revealed her vanity, extreme extravagance, and volatile
temper.
She went all around the world using his credit card to go on manic shopping sprees. Her closet was filled with various luxury goods, all with the tag on, never once worn.
Lucy demanded that Andrew respond to her messages within seconds. If he took even just a minute longer, she would spam the company line with calls, not caring whether he was chairing
Chapter 11
an important meeting that involved billions in investment.
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She frequently used the fact that she’d saved his life to guilt–trip him. “Andrew, have you forgotten who it was that saved you when you almost died? You’re all I have left. You can’t ignore
me!”
On and on she went.
Andrew had never felt as suffocated as he did now. Still, out of his initial gratitude and the heavy burden of “responsibility“, most of the time, he chose to indulge in her whims.
Nevertheless, the emptiness in his heart and sense of exasperation never stopped growing.
The breaking point came during a major product launch.
A tech company under Stone Group had created a premium smart office device aimed at high–end business clients, which needed to be marketed with a solemn and professional approach.
However, when the company was choosing a global spokesperson for the product, Lucy ignored the marketing and PR departments‘ strong objections and insisted on choosing a popular male celebrity she was recently obsessed with–one who had the image of a sexy, devilish man.
e! I want him to be the spokesperson! Look how handsome he is. He’ll definitely make
“I don’t the product go
screaming.
Lucy shrieked as she threw a tantrum in the office, all kicking and
“You don’t love me anymore! You don’t care about my feelings at all!”
Too exhausted to deal with this anymore, Andrew ended up going against his better judgment and relenting.
To nobody’s shock, the advertising campaign was hit with instant backlash the moment it
launched.
The celebrity’s image clashed terribly with the product’s professional positioning, angering its target market, who expressed their strong disapproval and aversion. Stock prices fell, the massive advertising budget had gone down the drain, and the entire project suffered a devastating loss.
In the conference room, Andrew stared at the grim data report, his face pale.
For the first time, he snapped at Lucy, “Look at what you’ve done! Do you think this is just a game? This is a multi–billion–dollar project!”
Lucy was terrified at first. But then, like a bristling cat, she immediately teared up and screamed back at him at the top of her lungs, “How dare you yell at me! Are you actually yelling at me just
because of a bit of money? You’ve changed, Andrew!
“Have you forgotten who it was who saved your life back then? You would’ve ended up dead long ago if it hadn’t been for me! How can you now treat me like this over some money? Do you not love
me anymore?”
There it was again!
Andrew stared at her contorted expression as she resorted to her usual trick of emotional manipulation. Out of nowhere, an overwhelming wave of disappointment and suspicion washed
over him.
For the first time, it became clear to him that the unreasonable woman throwing a hissy fit in front of him felt like an entirely different person from the kind and innocent young woman he remembered
saving him.
Just then, his phone buzzed. He’d received an alert about the latest business headline.
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“Rising Product Designer, Emily Jamison, Wins International Design Award with ‘Lumen Reverie‘, Sparking Global Buzz Over Classical–Inspired Aesthetics.”
It was Emily.
