I had imagined that I would meet Alden when I returned to the country, but I never expected such an awkward situation.
Four years ago, he was like a dog—he hugged me at the airport, his voice hoarse from crying as he begged me not to leave.
He knelt down and asked me over and over whether I had ever loved him.
Without even turning my head, I shoved him away and coldly said, "No."
Four years later, the tables had turned.
I returned to take over a company on the brink of collapse, while he sat leisurely at the head of the banquet table, surveying me with a detached air:
"What's wrong? You don't drink, Miss Brooks?"
He gave a mocking laugh, his cold eyes sweeping over me, a faint, amused smirk curling at the corners of his lips.
I gripped the wine glass in my hand and raised it, drinking it in one go.
"Mr. Everett, this drink is for you."
The alcohol started to hit my head lightly. I suppressed the bitterness inside me and lifted my gaze to meet Alden's mocking eyes.
"I hope you can lend a hand with the E City project."
He nonchalantly swirled the wine in his glass, his eyes flashing briefly. He suddenly turned to look at me, his gaze filled with probing amusement.
"Ms. Velez, I can lend you the money, but how are you going to pay me back?"
A tight knot formed in my chest, an inexplicable unease bubbling up. I took a deep breath, lowering my voice as I spoke:
"Mr. Everett, if you lend me a hundred million, I'll pay it back with 30% interest."
Alden seemed to have heard a joke, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"You think I'm desperate for money?"
I knew perfectly well that Alden wasn't interested in such a small amount of money. At this point, he could throw it into the market and retrieve more the next day.
He was no longer that humble, taciturn young man from four years ago. Now, he could turn the tide of the business world with the flick of his hand.
Those who once looked down on him now cautiously dared not slacken in his presence.
"Alden, then what do you want?"
I put down my glass, my eyes slightly red, meeting Alden's cold, deep gaze.
He stood up, his tall frame casting a shadow over me.
For some reason, a wave of panic washed over me.
The person in front of me was so unfamiliar, it felt unreal to even think about him. He had once been the gentle, aloof Alden in my memories.
I lowered my eyes, avoiding his gaze. He reached out, lifting my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.
His pupils gleamed with sharp light, filled with narrow amusement.
"Miss, you know what I want."
He secretly slipped a card into my pocket, his fingers brushing my chin.
"It's been so many years, and I still miss the taste of you…"
The corners of his eyes lifted slightly, a wicked grin playing on his lips.
"Brooks, I've waited too long. My patience is running out."
His cool fingers traced across my skin, as cold as he was, not a trace of warmth.
I couldn't help but shudder.
Alden was like a general who had everything under control, while I was just a gambler who had bet everything.
The card in my pocket was an address to a villa.
I waited for a long time at the half-finished, abandoned construction site.
I knew that apart from pleading with Alden, I had no other option.
A month ago, my father called me back to the country and told me that the company's funds had run out.
Without additional investment, this building would never be completed, and many people who had saved their whole lives would lose everything.
My choices were either to flee the country and live as a debtor forever or to beg Alden for help.
Four years ago, my father had slapped Alden out of our house, but now he was desperate to kneel and beg him.
He said, "Brooks, only Alden can save the company now. You can't let this family fall apart."
I looked at the man sitting in a wheelchair with a cold laugh. If it weren't for his past affairs, we probably wouldn't have ended up in such a situation today.
I had no choice. Alden knew I had nowhere to go.
I knew exactly what he wanted.
