"If they don't want to lose me, they need to accept you." Russel replied assertively.
I was dumbstruck by his words. Was he threatening his parents in the same way as her mom?
Russel was definitely not that kind of person. He would only resort to such a strategy if he felt he had no other choice. This made me realize how deeply he loved me.
I had a man in my life who loved me with all his heart. He was willing to go to great lengths just to see me happy. However, despite his unwavering affection, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sadness that made me want to cry.
Because I didn't deserve his kindness, I was not worth his sacrifice.
"Russel, you know, I never truly loved you. I was just... because I couldn't find anyone else." I spoke bluntly.
"I'm still in love with Neil. I'm sorry."
After these words, Russel's face turned very ugly. His eyes, once filled with affection, were now full of resentment.
However, he quickly regained his composure, "I know. I've always known that you haven't let go of him."
"So you can go now. As long as your parents don't bother me in the future, that would be the biggest help to me." I said calmly while looking at Russel.
Eventually, Russel left under the weight of my cold words. Looking at his wet figure, I wanted to say, "Aren't you cold?" but I didn't.
Not long after Russel left, my assistant came in again and said, "Ms. Finch, there's a problem. Mr. Whitmore from Whitmore Co. is here; he wants to see you!"
My head started to ache. Why was he here? Was everything he said before a lie?
I refused adamantly, "Stop him at the reception, tell him I'm in a meeting."
"Alright." The assistant left in a hurry.
Five minutes later, the assistant appeared again, "Ms. Finch, Mr. Whitmore said he's here to discuss a collaboration. Should we still turn him away?"
A collaboration?
At this critical period, my company was in trouble. Many of our partners wanted to sever ties with us immediately, and even the suppliers I talked to recently almost backed out.
Was Neil trying to help me in this crucial moment, or was he just here to toy with me?
Although I wanted to refuse, the company's current situation forced me not to do so. If we could collaborate with Whitmore Co., it would be like injecting a heart stimulant into the company, which could stabilize the employees' emotions.
"Let him up." In the end, I chose to compromise.
After a while, Neil appeared in my office, still looking elegant and high-class in his black suit. His every move exuded a powerful aura.
When he saw me, he greeted me formally, "Ms. Finch."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Whitmore." I walked over, with the attitude and mindset of a business client, and extended my hand to shake Neil's.
Neil looked at my extended hand, then raised an eyebrow slightly, "Have you become more flexible now?"
His tone didn't sound like he was here to discuss a collaboration. Rather, it sounded more like he was here to mock me.
Neil and I sat at the table. I silently brewed coffee for him. The aroma of the coffee filled the air. I handed him a cup, smiled, and said, "Try it."
Neil picked up the cup, blew gently on it, and then took a sip, his face filled with satisfaction, "This coffee is really good."
I nodded, "What brings you here today?" I asked him directly, wanting to get to the point as soon as possible.
Neil's face immediately turned serious. At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the office door. It was my assistant, "Ms. Finch, someone sent you a gift."
"Bring it in." I instructed.
The assistant quickly brought a gift box wrapped in blue paper with a bow. It looked very exquisite, but there was no signature.
I wasn't sure what was inside. I didn't want to open it at first, but in order to ease the tension with Neil, I shifted my attention and started unwrapping the gift box.
Neil's eyes were fixed on the gift box as well.
When I opened the gift box, I screamed in fright and stepped back in panic. A sense of fear and discomfort made my heartbeat accelerate.
Inside the gift box was a dead black snake. Next to it was a photo, a family portrait of me and my parents. The photo was processed in black and white, with bloody marks on our faces; it looked like characters from a horror movie.
Upon seeing what was in the gift box, Neil's face immediately changed. He quickly sealed the gift box back up, then comforted me, "Don't be scared!"
He angrily asked my assistant at the door, "Who sent this?!"
The assistant replied, "A woman in a green coat. She was wearing sunglasses and a mask. She left as soon as she put down the gift box..."
Our reaction scared the assistant too.
I cooled my jets, rage bubbling inside me, grabbed my car keys, and stormed out of the office. I was gonna hunt down that woman. I wanted to see who could curse my family like that!
Seeing me like this, Neil was quick to tail me. As I hopped in the car, he slid into the passenger seat. I didn't utter a word; I just drove with a stone-cold face.
I had no clue which way the woman went. I could only follow my gut and picked a direction to start the chase.
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