Perhaps genuinely hungry, he ate swiftly yet maintained impeccable table manners, innate elegance in
every movement.
Lisa stood nearby, silently watching him.
Watching him lower his head to eat the noodles, her vision suddenly blurred.
She abruptly remembered how, while studying in Fruyca, she’d often hide in library corners or peer through café windows just to secretly watch him eat.
Back then, he was two grades ahead–the campus golden boy constantly surrounded by beautiful girls.
While she remained the most invisible face in the crowd.
Her eyes involuntarily reddened.
Soon, he finished the small bowl of noodles, leaving barely any broth.
Alexander set down his eating utensils and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
This was the only dinner she’d ever cooked for him as his wife.
He’d tasted it!
He lifted his gaze to her, expression unreadable.
“Come to the office tomorrow at ten to sign the papers.‘
“Additionally, I’ll give you three hundred million.”
“Consider it compensation for these three years.”
“The villa you lived in will also be transferred to your name. No need to stay in this small place.”
His tone remained as calm as discussing a business deal.
Though she’d insisted she wanted nothing after the divorce…
He… refused to owe her anything!
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Lisa’s fingers curled at her sides, nails nearly digging into her palms.
She lifted her chin, icy composure intact.
“Thank you, Mr. Ford.”
Finally, he opened the door and left.
Only a faint trace of his cologne lingered–as if he’d never been there.
The moment the door clicked shut, Lisa slid weakly to the floor.
Under the light, her eyes burned crimson.
She finally understood his purpose for coming tonight.
It was… farewell!
Three years.
Three hundred million!
Compensation?
Truthfully, he owed her nothing!
Twelve years. She had to stop now!
Every debt she owed him was repaid.
The next day, 9:50 AM.
As Lisa stepped through the revolving glass doors of the Ford Corporate Headquarters Tower, sunlight pierced the clouds but offered no warmth.
Andrew waited in the lobby, impeccably dressed as the elite executive assistant, wearing a flawless pro- fessional smile.
“This way, Mrs. Ford.”
No dramatic interrogation from reception, no lingering stares–Andrew guided her directly to a distinct- ly exclusive elevator.
The [Elevator in Operation] chime resonated low and clear.
Inside the spacious cabin, silence enveloped them as it ascended rapidly after pressing the top–floor but-
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ton.
79th floor.
The doors slid open as the numbers stilled.
An overwhelmingly expansive space unfolded. Passing the executive office, she noted six secretaries— five men and one woman.
At the CEO’s office door, Andrew swiped his access badge.
The minimalist interior radiated understated luxury, filled with a clean, crisp fragrance–unidentifiable yet strangely comforting. Or perhaps, isolating.
“Mrs. Ford, Alexander is still in a meeting. He’ll conclude in about ten minutes.”
Andrew’s voice remained steady. “Please have a seat. Here’s the agreement for your review.‘
Lisa nodded, accepting the modestly thick document.
She walked to the sofa, placed the documents on the coffee table, opened them, and went straight to the last page requiring a signature.
The pen glided across the paper, leaving her name behind.
Swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
She hadn’t even glanced at the terms—after all, the outcome would be the same, wouldn’t it?
Holding the signed agreement, she didn’t hand it back to Andrew.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Andrew’s eyes, quickly masked. “Mrs. Johnson, I’ll prepare some coffee
you.
Mr. Johnson will be here shortly to see if he has further instructions.”
for
“Thank you.”
Her voice was soft.
Andrew turned and left, leaving her alone in the office.
She walked to the huge floor–to–ceiling window.
Standing here, she finally understood what it meant to feel like the king of the world.
Her gaze swept past the towering buildings, landing clearly on her own apartment building and balcony.
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That tiny space she’d filled with potted plants.
Her heart suddenly hollowed out!
Had Alexander stood here countless times, looking in that direction?
During all those days she knew nothing, had their eyes somehow met across the distance?
How ridiculous!
She pulled her gaze back, letting it settle on the other side of the office.
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A massive bookshelf covered the entire wall, filled with leather–bound volumes–mostly economics and management titles, plus a few French originals.
Her eyes drifted to the west wall beside the shelves… something seemed off.
Moving closer, she spotted an almost invisible seam in the wall.
A hidden door.
As if possessed, she reached out and gave it a gentle push.
Click.
The door swung open, unlocked.
She peered inside.
A surprise inside.
Not storage, but a fully equipped studio apartment.
A large bed draped in dark gray linens.
Even a private bathroom.
Alexander’s personal sanctuary?
An oversized black wardrobe hung with rows of tailored suits, shirts, trousers, and ties…
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Chapter41
