Chapter 4
Verda had been borrowing money from anyone who would lend it to her, including friends and colleagues.
But everyone knew about her situation. They knew she might not be able to pay them back, so a few people were willing to lend her money.
"Verda, I want to help you, but borrowing so much money just to treat your ex-boyfriend..." Her best friend Lily Brewer looked troubled.
"He's not just an ex-boyfriend. He's the love of my life," Verda said.
"But you're married! Pierce treated you so well..." Lily protested.
"Pierce is dead!" Verda suddenly burst out, her voice shaking. "He's gone, don't you get it?"
Lily was startled by her outburst and stood there in shock for a moment before finally saying, "I know he had an accident.
"However, Verda, do you really think this is what he would have wanted?"
The question was like a thorn, piercing deep into Verda's heart.
She remembered that rainy night, the moment she pushed me off the cliff.
At that time, she hadn't felt guilty. She had felt relief.
But now, facing her friend's doubts, she felt a pain she had never known before.
She wondered if she had done something wrong.
She questioned if it was wrong to try to save the man she loved by doing this.
In the dead of night, when everything was silent, she sat alone in the hospital corridor, replaying everything that had happened these past few days.
The company was gone, her money had dried up, and even her friends were starting to turn their backs on her.
She felt like a rat in the street, hated and rejected by everyone.
Just then, a stranger's voice sounded behind her. "Mrs. Richardson, can we talk?"
She turned around and saw a middle-aged man in a suit.
"Who are you?" she asked.
He said, "My name is Mark Hayes. I'm the manager of an investment company.
"I heard about what happened to you—maybe I can help you out with your money troubles."
Verda's eyes lit up. "Really? You're willing to lend me money?"
"Not a loan—an investment," Mark replied with a smile, "Our company believes in your abilities, and we're ready to back you in starting over."
"But I have nothing left now..." Verda said.
Mark said, "You have experience and connections. That's more than enough.
"We're prepared to put up three million as startup capital, as long as you can come up with a solid business plan."
That was exactly what she needed to cover Alexander's medical expenses.
Verda's hands trembled with excitement. "What do I need to do?"
"It's simple. Use the resources you built up at the Richardson Group to help us secure a few projects. If they succeed, we'll invest more," Mark said.
It was like money falling from the sky.
Verda didn't hesitate. She agreed immediately.
Little did she know that I had sent Mark.
I wanted her to believe there was still hope, just so I could slowly shatter it.
The moment she got the money, Verda paid off all of Alexander's medical bills without hesitation.
Seeing the man she loved finally able to start treatment again, she felt that everything she'd gone through was truly worth it.
She threw herself into work, tapping into her old network from the Richardson Group and hustling to land new deals.
The first project went off without a hitch. Verda landed an order worth 1.7 million dollars.
Mark was so pleased with her results that he immediately put in another 1.7 million investment.
The second project was a hit, too. She made one million from it.
Verda started to believe she really could rise from the ashes.
But what she didn't realize was that every single one of those wins took place because I was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
I was the one who sent those clients her way, all for one reason—to feed her false hope, to make her believe she still had a chance.
The moment she finally let her guard down, I'd rip everything away from her.
Just when she thought things were finally turning around, disaster struck.
Alexander's condition suddenly took a turn for the worse, and the doctors said he needed an immediate bone marrow transplant.
The cost of the surgery was 7 million dollars.
To Verda, that number was an astronomical figure.
She went to Mark, hoping for another round of investment.
Mark said, his tone turning icy, "Mrs. Richardson, investment isn't charity.
"The projects you're handling now are far too risky. Our company has decided to suspend our cooperation."
"What? But you said—" Verda protested.