Chapter 10
His eyes no longer held their usual pretense, only naked interrogation.
I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I raised my eyes, looking past him to Winter behind him with her smug face, then slowly back to his face.
My eyes reddened in an instant, filling with tears, but I stubbornly wouldn't let them fall.
"Michael," my voice carried a tremor and disappointment so thick it couldn't dissolve, "in your heart, is everything I've done for you just about those properties, that bit of money?"
I smiled bitterly, shaking my head in self-mockery. "I thought we had feelings for each other. I thought you loved me too, which is why I gave you everything. Now I finally understand - in your and your mother's eyes, I'm just an ATM."
That last sentence I said extremely softly, yet it was like a knife, precisely stabbing Michael's most guilty spot.
His face instantly turned even uglier. His eyes darted away, and his grip on my hand unconsciously loosened. "Ophelia, that's not what I meant. I just..."
"Then what did you mean?" I pressed him relentlessly as tears finally rolled down my cheeks, burning hot. "When your mother pointed at my nose and cursed me, when she was about to hit me, did you ask what happened even once? All you cared about was the money, whether the house was still in your name!"
My questioning left him speechless, his face turning pale.
Seeing this, Winter tried to jump in again. "Stop twisting the truth! You're the one who..."
"Enough, Mom!" Michael suddenly turned and snapped at her, cutting her off.
He clearly realized now that taking a hard line with me would only make things worse.
When he turned back to face me, he'd forced a stiff smile onto his face, his tone softening. "Ophelia, I'm sorry. My mom was too impulsive, and I got anxious, too. You know I love you, of course I do. It's just that this all happened so suddenly, I..."
I watched his clumsy performance, sneering inwardly, though my face showed only the numbness of utter despair.
"Who do you think I'm doing this for?" I lowered my eyes, my voice weary. "Do you think I want to go through all this trouble?"
Michael froze. "What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath, as if making some kind of decision. I looked up at him and said, word by word: "A few days ago, I met someone—someone we absolutely can't afford to offend, but if we can connect with him, the entire Johnson family could rise to the next level. He has a new energy project with incredible potential. I want to fight for your career."
Michael's breath caught, and greed immediately flashed in his eyes. "What project? Who is it?"
"I can't say exactly who. That's the rule." I shook my head mysteriously, looking troubled. "But this person is extremely cautious. Before any cooperation, he needs to evaluate my personal assets. Those properties I transferred to you and our shared funds are legally marital property, which makes the accounts look complicated and isn't good for the evaluation. I can only temporarily take back ownership to make my assets look clearer and more independent. Once I pass the evaluation and get into the project, I'll naturally give everything back to you—even more."
I'd dangled bait he couldn't refuse.
Michael was completely convinced. The doubt in his eyes was replaced by overwhelming joy.
He knew my business acumen too well, and he trusted my "love" for him too much.
He never thought I would betray him, especially not when faced with such a huge opportunity for him to rise to success.
"Really? Ophelia, is this all true?" He grabbed my shoulders excitedly, gripping so hard it felt like he wanted to merge me into his body.
"When have I ever lied to you?" I looked at him wearily. "I just never expected that while I'm here racking my brains for you, you and Mom would be at home doubting me over such a small thing, even trying to hit me. Michael, I'm tired, really tired."
My words filled his face with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Ophelia, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have doubted you." He apologized incoherently, holding me tightly. "Don't worry, I'll handle my mom. You focus on the project. Whatever you need, I'll support you!"
Winter looked confused, but seeing Michael like this, she knew she'd misunderstood me. She just couldn't bring herself to make peace with me, muttering, "All this secrecy..."
Michael immediately turned and glared at her. "Mom! Don't give Ophelia any more trouble!"
I leaned against him, a silent, cold smile playing at my lips.
See, this was the man I'd loved for years. With cheap love and empty promises of the future, I could easily make him cast aside all his shamelessness and scheming.
The next two days at the Johnson Villa were unusually quiet.
Winter had probably been warned by Michael. When she saw me, she'd just snort coldly, not daring to be arrogant.
Michael, on the other hand, was extremely attentive, asking after me daily as if we'd returned to our dating days. The anticipation and greed in his eyes were almost overflowing.
I said I needed a quiet environment to focus on preparing for the project and proposed moving out temporarily.
Though Michael was reluctant, thinking of the wealthy life ahead, he agreed.
Benjamin had already prepared a villa for me near Willow River, called Silvercrest Villa, with tight security and beautiful scenery.
When I packed my luggage, I didn't take much—just a few clothes I wore often and Cecilia's belongings.
As I placed Cecilia's favorite sapphire necklace into the jewelry box, my heart filled with mixed emotions.
From now on, I would completely leave the past behind and face a war full of unknowns and dangers with a brand new identity.
Chase silently helped me load my luggage into the car.
Michael stood at the door, reluctantly holding my hand. "Ophelia, don't work too hard on the project. I'll come visit you often."
I nodded, pulled my hand away, and got into the black Bentley.
The car smoothly drove out of the Johnson Villa gates. I watched Michael's figure grow smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror until it disappeared.
I felt no attachment, only that the air seemed fresher.
The car passed through downtown and was about to get on the highway to Silvercrest Villa.
Just as the car slowed slightly at an intersection, something suddenly happened!
A dull boom exploded in my ears—not a gunshot, but more like something heavy hitting at high speed.
The window beside me shattered instantly, spider-web cracks spreading across the entire surface. Right in the center, a deformed steel ball was embedded!
It was from a modified high-pressure slingshot or air gun.
Powerful enough to kill.
My heart seized, and all the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly.
"Ms. White, hold on tight."
Chase's voice was calm without a trace of panic. Almost the instant the steel ball hit the window, he floored the gas pedal and jerked the steering wheel. The car let out a sharp screech of tires, forced its way into another lane like a black lightning bolt, and shot onto the ramp.
I instinctively grabbed the handle in front of me. Looking back, I saw a black motorcycle make a sharp turn at the intersection and quickly disappear into traffic, gone without a trace.