In my memory, Andy White was arrogant, domineering, and hard to approach. He was not the type of person one would easily talk to.
"What is this about?"
Andy White spoke frankly. "Miss Lindsay, aren't you done with Ryan? My company is looking for talent. If you're interested in switching jobs, I'd be more than happy to have you join."
I stared at him, wide-eyed, incredulous.
He caught my gaze, then smiled with a hint of smugness.
"Miss Lindsay, no need to thank me. I've simply recognized your capabilities. And of course, when it comes to salary, I won't shortchange you."
I gritted my teeth. "Mr. White, you're crossing the line!"
"?"
Andy halted in his steps, casting me a puzzled look.
I rolled my eyes. "I just got dumped, and you want me to work like a slave? You should stop calling yourself Andy White and just rename yourself Andy the Skinflint."
…
Back home, I took out my suitcase, ready to pack my things and leave.
Once I made up my mind to sever ties with Ryan, I couldn't stay in this new house for another second.
Footsteps echoed from downstairs.
Ryan had hurried back.
When he saw my suitcase nearly packed, he stood at the top of the stairs, his eyes red.
"Mannie."
I looked up at him.
"Can't we talk this through? We've been together for so many years, and we were so close to making it work. Why…"
His pained eyes were hard to ignore.
I believed he still loved me, that he had feelings for me.
Maybe he was just confused for a moment.
But betrayal is betrayal.
I couldn't allow any flaws in my feelings.
I grabbed my suitcase, not looking back as I left.
Unable to find a suitable apartment right away, I stayed in a hotel suite for several days.
I took a deep breath and answered the call.
Immediately, a sharp, cutting voice pierced through the air.
"Mannie Lindsay, you heartless wench! What did my son ever do to you? Why are you trying to ruin him?"
"If I hadn't noticed something wrong with his complexion while we were video chatting the other day, who knows if he'd even be alive right now?"
"My son was so unlucky to fall in love with you, Mannie. It's as if he's cursed!"
I couldn't help but laugh coldly. "How ridiculous. What does your son ending up in the hospital have to do with me? Has he not told you? He was dumped by me!"
There was an echo on the other end of the phone, as if the speakerphone had been turned on.
"Do you hear that? I told you, didn't I? Mannie Lindsay is a two-faced viper. You used to treat her like treasure, and look what happened—when he's in the hospital, she doesn't even bother to check on him!"
"Good riddance. Honestly, Wendy Snow is a hundred times better than Mannie. She's pretty, well-tempered, and has a local identity…"
I scoffed, hanging up the phone.
Ryan's mother was difficult, and Wendy Snow was scheming. I didn't believe these two would ever form a harmonious mother-in-law-daughter-in-law relationship.
After thinking it over, I emailed Ryan a stock transfer agreement.
Since I had made up my mind to cut ties with him, I didn't want any further connection.
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