Chapter 4
Ever since that run-in at the mall, I wiped those two tragic lovebirds from my mind.
Out of sight, out of mind.
My life was really taking off.
Teaming up with Arthur, I realized how much I'd been missing out before.
Making money was so much more satisfying than obsessing over Ryan's cold, unreadable face.
With my little bit of foresight, I dropped a few hints to Arthur about some promising areas, like neighborhoods that were about to blow up, or tech startups that were just starting to show real potential.
Arthur was skeptical at first, but he still invested a bit. It didn't take long for the returns to roll in, and he was so thrilled that he couldn't stop telling everyone I was his lucky charm.
As for me, I was busy too, learning the ropes of management, checking out projects, and barely had a moment to breathe. But honestly, I'd never felt so alive.
My complexion was glowing, and my best friend couldn't stop saying I was like a totally different person, with a new light in my eyes.
Every now and then, I'd catch wind of Ryan and Emily from here and there.
I heard they'd actually moved in together, renting some old, run-down place that was drafty in winter and leaked rain in summer.
Word was, Ryan was working three jobs at once. He sold during the day, taking whatever abuse came his way. He sang at a bar at night and got picked apart by the crowd.
He then burned the midnight oil translating documents. He did all to save up for that dress Emily had her eye on. Honestly, I thought the dress looked pretty cheap.
As for Emily, she kept complaining about how tiring and low-paying all the jobs were, so she gave up and decided to devote herself to taking care of Ryan at home.
But her cooking was half-raw, the house was always a mess, and she was always whining about her hands getting rough or the utility bills going up again.
Honestly, hearing about it made me tired for Ryan.
So this was the pure love he traded a mountain of cash and thirty years of loyalty for?
Every day, he was buried under bills, chores, and all the little headaches of real life. Whatever romance they had must've been ground to dust by now.
Did he even have a second to think about all that talent and ambition he put on the back burner?
Did he still have it in him to act all high and mighty?
I didn't feel sorry for him. This was the path he chose.
Honestly, there was a part of me that wanted to grab some popcorn and see how long this epic love story can actually last.
That day, I went to negotiate a deal on behalf of Arthur.
The other company had some real clout, and Arthur thought it'd be good for me to get some hands-on experience.
With my assistant by my side and my heels clicking on the floor, I walked into their conference room feeling totally confident.
But the moment I pushed open the door, I froze for a second.
Across the conference table, sitting at the head, was a guy who looked strangely familiar.
He wasn't the CEO we were supposed to meet. He was crazy young, and honestly, he really stood out.
His features were sharp, with a bit of an edge in his eyes. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, no tie, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. He looked relaxed, but definitely not someone you'd want to mess with.
He glanced up, his gaze lingering on me for a couple of seconds, cool and appraising, like he was sizing me up.
My mind raced, and then it hit me.
He was Alexander Foster, the Foster Family's young prince, ruthless and always getting his way. He was the kind of guy who left even the old pros from Arthur's generation sweating bullets.
Last time around, he and my family never really crossed paths, but his reputation was everywhere.
Never thought I'd run into him this early in the game, and in a place like this.
I pulled myself together, flashed a professional smile, and walked over. "Mr. Foster, nice to meet you. I'm Charlotte Evans, representing Evans Holdings."
Alexander gave a slight nod, gestured for me to take a seat. He had this intimidating vibe that came naturally.
As the meeting kicked off, I got my head in the game, ready to give it my all.
This project was huge for my family. There was no way I could screw this up.
When we got to the tricky part, dividing up the profits, things got a little tense.
I pushed back hard, laying out our strengths and breaking down the market analysis, making sure everything was crystal clear.
Alexander barely said a word, tapping his fingers absentmindedly on the table, looking bored and distracted.
When I finished, he suddenly looked up, locking eyes with me. His voice was low and cool. "Miss Evans, you're not quite the pampered princess the rumors make you out to be.
"Seems you're a lot more interesting than someone who shops and drinks coffee all day."
That didn't really sound like a compliment. It felt more like he was sizing me up.
I kept my cool, my smile turning even more professional. "Mr. Foster, you're too kind. Rumors are just talk. Why don't we stick to business?"
He curled his lips into a half-smile and stayed quiet. But after that, his attitude shifted. He was clearly paying attention now.
In the end, the terms we settled on were even better than what Arthur had hoped for.
I couldn't help feeling a little smug. Guess all that hard work really paid off.
As the meeting wrapped up, I got ready to leave. But as I was about to head out, Alexander called out, "Miss Evans."
I turned around.
He leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Next time we negotiate, I want you here. It's way more entertaining sparring with you than dragging things out with Arthur's old crew."
I replied, "Appreciate it, Mr. Foster. I'll let Arthur know."
He really was like the rumors say, arrogant, and definitely didn't play by the book.
As I walked out of the building with my assistant, I couldn't help but feel a little upbeat.
It wasn't only because we'd nailed the deal. There was something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
It felt like things were starting to shift, like the world was turning a new page.
What I didn't know was that. As I walked out of Foster Holdings, I felt on top of the world. Across the city, Ryan was getting torn apart by his boss. He had lost a major client, and his already tiny bonus was wiped out.
He stumbled out of the office, looking utterly defeated. The sky overhead was heavy and gray, threatening to pour any minute.
In his pocket was a note Emily had slipped him that morning, with the name of the cake shop she wanted to try. Just one small cake from that place would cost him what he'd spend on food for a whole day.
He stood at the edge of the busy street, watching all those polished, well-dressed people go by. For the first time, he felt it in his bones. He and Charlotte were living in two completely different worlds.
That sense of disparity washed over him like icy rain, drenching him before he even had a chance to brace himself.