Chapter 80
I didn't wait for Brian to finish. I cut him off quickly.
"No, Mia was right. I do like you."
Brian looked at me seriously and said, "When I said I liked you and wanted to marry you, I wasn't joking. I meant it. It's just that Jason pressured my dad to stop me from getting close to you, so my dad rushed to find me an arranged marriage partner. I have no feelings for Elizabeth at all."
His tone was sincere, his eyes burning into mine, as if waiting for my response.
I lowered my gaze to the half-bowl of noodles left, feeling a bit sorry.
Looks like I won't be finishing these noodles today.
"Sue, don't you have anything to say?" Brian couldn't wait for my answer and couldn't help asking.
I stayed silent for a while, then finally looked up at him helplessly. "Mr. Ethan, I've been very careful to avoid this topic. Why do you have to bring it up?"
Brian froze, then said, "Because I want you to understand how I feel. I don't want to hide anymore."
"We both know you can't let go of DT Corp. It wasn't easy getting to where you are now. What you want is right within reach - can you really give that up? You know very well that if you choose me, you'll get nothing. So you're choosing Miss Perez, and isn't that fine?" I sighed.
Brian looked at me like he was hurt. "Do you have to be so blunt? That really hurts."
I replied calmly, "I'm just telling the truth. If I'm not direct, it'll only make you misunderstand."
The table fell into deathly silence.
I looked down at my noodles, wondering whether to keep eating.
The topic was too heavy. I was afraid that if I kept eating, I'd get indigestion.
While I was struggling with this, Brian's hoarse voice spoke up, "What if I give up everything at DT Corp? Would you be with me then?"
"No."
Well, these noodles were definitely not happening now.
I put down my chopsticks and looked up at Brian seriously. "Mr. Ethan, I'm really grateful that you were willing to give someone like me, who knew nothing, a chance back then. You helped me through the hardest time, and I'm thankful for how you've looked after me all this time, working together. You're a really good person and an excellent boss. I'm glad I met you."
"But since we've gotten to this point, I won't stay any longer. I'll resign from DT Corp. I'll draft my resignation letter and send it to your office when we get back."
With that, I stood up to leave.
Brian grabbed my wrist. His eyes widened, pupils, trembling, full of disbelief and barely concealed panic.
Brian said urgently, "No, I don't agree. Sue, you know I need you!"
"Other colleagues at the company are excellent, too. You can try using other people more. I'm sure everyone can meet your requirements," I answered calmly.
Originally, I thought being this direct would let me continue working at DT Corp.
But now there was no choice. I couldn't keep fooling myself forever.
"But I only trust you. You're the only one who's been with me from the start. How about this - wait until after I marry into the Chen family and fully control DT Corp, then you can resign. When that time comes, I absolutely won't keep you. How's that?"
Brian's expression turned pleading, his voice low. "You're all I have."
Seeing him like this, my lips moved, and I finally agreed.
Not because I was soft-hearted. But if Brian hadn't been willing to give someone like me, who knew nothing, a chance back then, Jessica and I would probably have starved to death on the streets.
Staying now was mostly to repay that debt.
The next day, I was sleeping groggily when I suddenly got a call from Lily.
"Sue, stop sleeping! Something terrible happened!"
I yawned and asked, "What is it?"
"You're being attacked online! Quick, check the link I sent you!" Lily's tone was urgent.
I gradually woke up and rubbed my eyes. "Okay, don't panic."
Lily hung up. I clicked on the link she sent and saw the headline: "Scheming Woman! Shameless! Seduced Seaside City's Jason Cooper and got pregnant before marriage!"
My heart jumped, and I frowned as I scrolled down.
The post had early photos of Jason and me together, and later photos of me alone and pregnant, going to the hospital.
The post described me in great detail as a scheming woman trying to use a baby to marry into a wealthy family.
Below the post, most comments were viciously cursing me.
They called me shameless, calculating, and willing to do anything to climb the social ladder.
But some people were attracted by Jason's outstanding looks, and with Jason's special status, this topic was getting huge attention online.
Right after I finished reading, Lily called again. "Well? Did you see it?"
"I saw it." I sat up in bed.
"Who did you offend recently? They investigated you like this, practically dug up your entire past!"
Lily couldn't help exclaiming, "They're clearly trying to frame you!"
I lowered my eyes. I didn't really feel anything about it.
People online were cursing me, yes.
But Jason and I had been in a relationship freely. I didn't know his real identity.
Also, I just had a child out of wedlock - I didn't break any laws or do anything morally wrong.
They were cursing me now simply because of Jason's status.
The topic of marrying into a wealthy family does tend to cause controversy.
What I was thinking more about was that with such a big fuss online, Jason had probably already seen it and knew about Jessica's identity.
How should I face him? What should I say?
"Sue, forget everything else. Just Jason's face and status alone mean you'll face huge public pressure. You need to be mentally prepared,"
Lily said this, but I felt like she seemed even more nervous than me.
I sighed. "It's okay, Lily. I'm not scared."
I glanced at the time - it was about time to get up anyway.
I said, "I'll get up and get ready. I still have to go to work."
"You're still going to work like this?!" Lily was incredulous. "It's all over the internet now. If you go to DT Corp, your colleagues will definitely gossip about you! Plus, everyone's cursing you online. I'm worried you'll get bullied by overly emotional netizens if you go out."
Seeing I wasn't saying anything, Lily paused and said, "Besides, even if you're not afraid, you have to think about Jessica's feelings. Even though Jessica is mature, she's still just a kid. With something this big happening, she'll definitely be scared."
I was finally convinced. "Okay, I'll take a day off."
I could not care about myself, but I had to protect Jessica.
"I'll come keep you company," Lily said.
"No need. Haven't you been busy lately? Just do your thing. I'm fine."