He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 115

“Mr. Vance,” she began, her voice as cool as a mountain spring, each word striking Felix’s frayed nerves with crystal clarity, “please have some self–respect.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over him, then over the pale–faced Hazel beside him, the mocking curve of her lips deepening slightly.

“There has been nothing left for us to talk about since the day you chose to throw me and our unborn child from the fifth floor.”

With that, she didn’t spare him another glance, naturally taking Archer’s waiting arm again. They walked side–by–side, gracefully disappearing into the crowd, leaving behind a perfectly matched and resolute pair of backs.

Felix stood frozen, his arm still outstretched as if to grab her, but his fingertips felt only a cold emptiness.

The suppressed snickers, the looks of pity or contempt from those around him, were like a thousand needles, pricking him from all sides.

He looked at Hazel beside him, her face twisted with anger and humiliation, and then at the retreating, radiant figure of Stella.

The immense gap and the feeling of utter failure were like a bottomless abyss, swallowing him whole.

That charity gala was like a fuse, completely igniting the panic and resentment Felix had suppressed for years.

Stella’s dazzling appearance, and the man by her side who seemed perfect in every way, were like a poison dart lodged deep in his heart, tormenting him day and night.

The first thing he did upon returning to his office was to use every resource and means at his disposal, at any cost, to investigate the man named Archer Hayes.

The results of the investigation soon lay on his desk, detailed to a frightening degree.

Archer Hayes, from an aristocratic family with deep roots, their empire spanning finance, arts, luxury goods, and more. His wealth and influence were in no way inferior to the Vance family’s.

He himself was an Oxford alumnus with dual doctorates in Economics and Art History. Not only was he a successful business leader, but also an internationally renowned art collector and connoisseur with an impeccable reputation in his circles.

He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives. I Gave Them Both A One Way Ticket To BANKRUPTCY

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Chapter 18

Most importantly, his romantic history was as clean as a blank slate. He had never had any public scandals or messy relationships–a true top–tier bachelor.

The report concluded with a note: According to reliable sources, Archer has been pursuing Miss Winter with great passion and sincerity. And Miss Winter… does not seem to be rejecting his advances. The two have been interacting

frequently and have grown close.

CRACK!

Felix slammed the report down on the desk, the expensive solid wood surface denting from the impact!

His chest heaved, his breathing ragged. An unprecedented sense of panic washed over him like an icy tide, drowning him instantly!

Family background, ability, wealth… this man was his equal in every way, and even surpassed him in some!

And his obvious adoration and pursuit of Stella was like a mirror, reflecting Felix’s own past foolishness and

wretchedness!

Stella wasn’t rejecting him… Did that mean… she had accepted him?

The thought gnawed at his sanity like a venomous snake!

He couldn’t imagine it–the woman whose heart and eyes had once been filled with only him, in another man’s arms! That man would hold her hand, would kiss her, would possess her.

No! Impossible!

Felix let out a low growl and yanked at his tie, trying to dispel the suffocating images in his mind.

He drove home distractedly, back to the house he increasingly dreaded entering. The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted by the sound of shrill crying and scolding.

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