21
If he lost Hazel… Ambrose couldn’t dare to finish the thought. The idea of a life without her was unfathomable.
Finally, the decision came to him, clear and resolute.
“Give me another half month.”
Back then, Hazel had used half a month to leave everything behind and walk away alone.
Now, Ambrose would take the same half month to find her and make things right.
And if he couldn’t.
He clenched his fists, the sharp sting of frustration coursing through him
He couldn’t accept the idea of “if.” He refused to believe their fate was over.
All he knew was that no matter what, living without Hazel wasn’t an option.
He threw himself into a relentless pursuit, sending flowers, gifts, treating her like a young girl he was desperate
to win over
The trash bin outside the Bell family’s house became a testament to his persistence.
Gianna shook her head, muttering, “Men never change. Still using the same old tricks after all these years.”
“It’s not that they don’t improve. It’s that they don’t truly listen.”
Even now, Ambrose didn’t understand what she truly wanted from him.
These material things, Hazel had never needed them, nor did they ever hold any true value for her.
What she truly desired was a pure, unwavering connection, a love that would stand firm no matter what
“Hazel, don’t let those worries consume you. Come work at my company. It’ll shift your focus and help you grow.” Hazel’s abilities had always been unquestionable.
She had been at the top of her class every year back in school
But for Ambrose, she had sacrificed her future, turned down opportunities from prestigious companies, and chosen a soul–crushing job that wasted her potential.
Now, it was time for Hazel to reclaim herself.
She looked up, her face lighting up with a smile full of quiet resolve. “Alright,” she agreed, a quiet fire burning in
her heart.
Her mother wasted no time, swiftly arranging everything and naming Hazel as the new general manager. Hazel threw herself into her new role, quickly earning the trust and respect of her colleagues.
Once, Ambrose had called her immature, dull, and incapable of making a real difference.
Now, her coworkers found her refreshingly charming, funny, and brilliant at her work.
She had an uncanny ability to win people over, and even the senior staff admired her drive and dedication,
One friendly colleague couldn’t help but ask, “Hazel, you’re from a rich family. Why work so hard? You’re always the last one to leave, making us poor folks feel like we’re slacking off.”
Hazel treated everyone with coffee, her smile playful as she joked, “Well, if I don’t work hard, I might just end up getting married, having kids, being tortured by a dreadful mother–in–law, ignored by my husband, dealing with a
mistress, and alienated by my whole family.”
“Hahaha, Hazel, you’re too funny. A girl as beautiful and brilliant as you must have admirers everywhere. Who
could treat you like that?”
12:25 PM c
Hazel’s smile lingered, but she didn’t answer.
She had nearly ended up living that very nightmare.
Thankfully, before the wedding, she had seen through that man and made her escape just in time.
What Hazel hadn’t anticipated was that, despite her efforts to hide away, the mistress, Scarlett, would still manage to track her down and provoke her.
As Hazel was about to leave for work that morning, she was jolted by Scarlett’s sudden appearance.
“Hazel, you really know how to play your cards. All these years, I underestimated you! You actually thought running away from the wedding would grab his attention”
Scarlett sneered, her makeup thick and bold, her posture oozing arrogance
“But don’t think you’ve won. I have plenty of tricks to win him back.”
Scarlett looked fragile as if her body couldn’t quite keep up with the venom in her words. She had shed so much weight that, for a moment, Hazel thought she was staring at a ghostly figure in a too–thin disguise.
Hazel glanced at the time, her patience running thin
“Move aside. I still have to get to work”
But Scarlett wasn’t about to let her off that easily.
