Chapter 2

Preston looked at me with unfamiliar eyes.

I ignored him, turned around, and walked away.

Jade buried herself in Preston's arms, eyes red.

"What's so urgent?

"Does she just hate me that much? Is that why she won't stay?"

Preston watched me get in the car and drive away, frowning slightly.

"Don't take it to heart.

"After a few years at Oxford, her attention-seeking tactics have certainly become more sophisticated."

Jade bit her lip.

"True. She's learned to play hard to get. I'm scared that one day you might..."

Preston touched her head.

"I told you, I only like you."

Actually, I really did have plans.

My classmate and I had started an internet company together.

There was a lot to handle.

I had a dinner meeting with a client.

My business partner sent me a message.

Heard you're back in the country. Got a big surprise for you.

I replied casually.

If I'd known what that surprise was then, I would have made her cancel it.

I hadn't planned to have any more contact with Preston.

But an elder in the family was celebrating a birthday.

As old family friends, we would still appear at the same birthday party.

But when I arrived with my gift, I realized it wasn't a birthday party at all.

It was a proposal.

Preston knelt on one knee.

When he saw me arrive, a mocking smile curved his lips.

He gently slipped the diamond ring onto Jade's finger.

"Wonderful!"

My parents started clapping enthusiastically.

I looked at them in confusion.

"Isn't today Grandpa's birthday?"

I frowned. "Are you all that eager to get them engaged? I genuinely thought..."

My father coughed. "We kept it from you because we were afraid you'd ruin it."

"You don't know? Preston just became the Regional Director for Nexus Group."

Nexus?!

I froze.

That... that's the company my classmate and I started together!

"A son-in-law like Preston is rare. Of course we had to lock down the engagement quickly.

"We know you like Preston, but feelings can't be forced. After all these years, he still doesn't like you. Stop clinging to him, okay?"

I stayed silent.

I texted my partner.

Please don't tell me the surprise is Preston?!

She sent back a tongue-out emoji.

We all know you like him! I arranged the regional personnel myself. As director, he reports directly to you. Now you can be inseparable from him.

I pressed my hand to my forehead.

"Look! Isn't that Preston's lapdog, that Smith girl!"

"Damn! It's her! She actually dared to come!"

"Look at how miserable she looks! I almost feel sorry for her."

The gossip was giving me a headache.

I went to a room to discuss this with my partner.

After explaining that I no longer liked him, I opened the door.

A hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Yanking me into the stairwell.

"Preston!"

My wrist hurt.

He shoved me aside.

"You saw what happened today."

His voice was cold.

I rubbed my aching wrist and frowned at him.

"I'm engaged to Jade now. You should find someone to marry too."

"Marry?" I laughed coldly. "That's not in my plans right now."