Chapter 4

Mason still thought I'd come to beg him. His eyes dripped with contempt. "I thought you had some backbone, but you're crawling back already."

"This time, even if you get on your knees, I won't forgive you. You've disappointed me way too much."

I found it absolutely ridiculous. "You must be misunderstanding. I'm here for work."

Mason frowned. "You? For work?"

"Evelyn, I know what you're capable of. What reputable company would want you?"

"You must've gotten scammed!"

He then sized up Charles, sneering dismissively. "All dressed up, but probably some fly-by-night operation."

Charles was annoyed and wanted to defend me, but I stopped him. "Not worth getting worked up over someone like that."

"I'll see you at the investor conference."

"Oh, and for the record—we're done!"

With that, I smiled and waved at Mason, then turned and walked away, ignoring his darkening expression.

With Charles's help, I quickly took charge of the branch company.

On the investor conference guest list, Mason's company name stood out like a sore thumb.

"Should we take his company off the list?" Charles asked, still annoyed about the restaurant incident.

I shook my head. "Let's play by the rules."

I was curious to see what kind of proposal Mason and Chloe would come up with.

The next day, the investor conference went off without a hitch.

When I arrived, the conference hall was packed.

As I scanned the crowd for Charles, Mason appeared with Chloe at his side.

Chloe wore an elegant, tailored suit dress, looking like a meticulously preened show bird in a gilded cage.

"Evelyn?"

Mason looked at me with a confused expression. "Your sketchy company is here for the investor conference too?"

I didn't say anything, just gave a polite smile and pointed. "Investor conference attendees should check in over there first."

My calm demeanor clearly irritated Mason.

"Evelyn, we're all here for the conference. Who do you think you're fooling?"

He paused, then frowned. "Also... all your stuff is gone from the apartment?"

"Since we broke up, of course I took it with me."

In reality, I'd already thrown all that stuff out. Keeping it just felt unlucky.

"You're really breaking up with me?" Mason asked, his voice full of surprise and confusion.

In the past, after every fight, I'd mope for a few days, then come crawling back.

But my current attitude—cold and firm—felt completely foreign to him. It was like something valuable was quietly slipping through his fingers.

Uncharacteristically, Mason softened his tone. "Evelyn, stop being so stubborn. I admit I've been distant lately, but it was all for work."

"Once I land the Davies Group project, I'll take you to the Maldives. We'll stay in an oceanview villa. Come home with me, okay?"

I didn't get why Mason was suddenly trying to win me back, but it didn't matter anymore.

We could never go back.

"No need. If I want to go, I can go by myself."

My icy tone enraged Mason. "Evelyn, are you really being this heartless? I'm trying to make things right—what more do you want?"

"Who else would put up with you besides me?"

I scoffed.

Even now, he was still so condescending.

"Mason, it's a shame, but today your arrogance is going to come crashing down."

Mason scoffed dismissively. "Bow down to you? You think you're the head of the Davies Group Investor Conference or something?"

When the time came, Charles took the stage to the audience's attention. "I announce the official opening of the Davies Group Investor Conference! Please welcome our head of operations, Ms. Evelyn Davies, to the stage!"