Chapter 4

I decided not to pursue this project anymore. It wasn't that I was scared, but I knew when to cut my losses.

Before Vincent could make his move, I decisively cut off his line of attack.

"Mr. Shen, I'm sure you know about my situation with Asher. I think we should call off our cooperation."

Vincent just calmly asked, "Why?"

Did he really need to ask?

Didn't he know the reason?

"Then why did you agree to work with me?" I countered.

Wasn't it to get revenge for his nephew?

Vincent stared into my eyes. "For you."

I was suddenly dumbfounded, not just by Vincent's words, but by the way he looked at me.

That blatant possessiveness made it hard for me to breathe.

I also didn't understand what he meant by those three words.

"What do you mean?"

Vincent sat up straight, smiling at me. "Can't you tell? I'm pursuing you."

His tone was light and ambiguous at the end. It gave me goosebumps.

I had just broken up with his nephew, and now he was pursuing me?

Who would believe that?

I was even more furious now. I felt like Vincent was treating me like a fool.

"Vincent, do you think I'm that easy to fool?"

The way Vincent looked at me seemed appreciative, as if my anger was something very interesting to him.

He said, "I'm not fooling you."

I tried to stay calm despite my anger. "We've only met twice."

"Who says I can't fall for you at first sight?"

Vincent asked as if it was the most natural thing, his expression unreadable.

I wasn't intimidated by him at all now. Anger made me feel invincible.

I challenged him, "I was still Asher's girlfriend then. You fell for your future niece-in-law at first sight?"

"Is there a problem with that? I only started pursuing you after you broke up. I don't think I've done anything wrong."

He spoke casually, making perfect sense.

But I just couldn't believe it. This came too suddenly, and at such a time. I had to be cautious.

"I don't like you..."

"That's why I'm pursuing you," Vincent interrupted me. "This project is just my way of getting close to you. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can cancel the cooperation anytime. But I'll continue pursuing you."

He seemed very persistent, as if he really was interested in me.

The project matter was temporarily set aside.

I stood up. "Let's end the discussion here. I have other matters to attend to."

I nodded at him and started walking away.

Just as I reached the door, I heard Vincent call out to me.

He called my name.

"Rachel."

I turned to look at him.

He had also stood up and was walking towards me.

Vincent was even taller than Asher, definitely over 6'1". With his strong presence, I felt a sense of pressure as soon as he approached me.

I hated feeling at a disadvantage like this.

I raised my chin. "What?"

Vincent stopped in front of me.

I caught a whiff of his faint cologne - light and ethereal, hard to pinpoint the exact scent, but very pleasant.

He asked me, "Am I inferior to Asher in any way?"

I can't believe Vincent would ask such a question. So he was human after all.

"To be honest, you're better than Asher in every way."

Asher wasn't my boyfriend anymore. I had no reason to idealize him.

Vincent asked again, "Then why don't you like me?"

Vincent's questions always made me feel like we were talking past each other.

I was analyzing objective factors, while he kept subjectively challenging me.

I decided to be straightforward.

"Vincent, I think you're trying to get revenge on me for Asher."

Vincent was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"I see. It's my mistake. I shouldn't have mixed business with personal matters. I understand why you're so guarded."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Once things were out in the open, the rest would follow naturally.

"Then let's call off our cooperation."

"Alright," Vincent readily agreed.