Chapter 9
I finally learned the full story from Derek.
Sophie was a gold digger who used her stunning looks to hang around bars every day looking for targets. Derek had gone out with friends one night and met this girl.
By coincidence, Ryan was also at that bar that night. When he came over to say hi to Derek, he met Sophie. When Sophie realized Derek was completely uninterested in her, she immediately switched her target to Ryan.
“I originally thought if this guy knew how to refuse, I’d bury my feelings and not bother you. But he didn’t refuse, and I didn’t want you marrying someone like that, so…”
I caught the implication in his words and interrupted, “Wait Derek, you just said you’d bury your feelings? What does that mean?”
Derek said mysteriously, “I’m on my way to pick you up right now. If you really want to hear this, give me a kiss when we meet.”
I hung up on him without expression, then searched through my memories of Derek.
I actually didn’t have many impressions of this man.
The Watson family had serious internal conflicts, and my parents had chosen Ryan’s side, so naturally, we didn’t interact much with the Brothers.
But Derek’s words sounded like he’d liked me for a long time.
0.00%
11 20
Chapter 9
288 Vouchers
When he arrived, everyone else at the company had already left work. Only the lamp in my office was still on. I leaned against my desk as I watched him walk in.
He said directly, “Do you remember going to a school for a summer camp in high school?”
I nodded.
“I was the person in charge of your competition that time. You had your whole heart focused on that guy and didn’t notice me.”
He moved closer to me.
“But after I saw you, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
He spoke seriously, but I was thinking it was a good thing he was handsome. Otherwise, saying this would make him sound like a complete creep.
From Derek’s account, I learned about a different version of my youth. Apparently, while I was wholeheartedly loving someone else, there was also someone quietly giving his heart to me.
Maybe I’m someone who’s easily swayed by words, or maybe because I’d had my own secret crush, hearing someone else’s story now made my heart incredibly soft.
“Then why didn’t you come find me earlier?” I asked.
Derek ruffled my hair. “Some people need to see things clearly for themselves. All I could do was keep waiting.”
The touching emotions made me feel dizzy with confusion. Without realizing it, the distance between us kept getting smaller.
23.56%
- 00000
143
11:20
Charters
288 Vouchers
Later, lying on the bed in the lounge and giving him that promised kiss, I was still thinking–beauty really can lead people astray.
The online controversy didn’t calm down with time, and there was still no news from Ryan’s side.
I’d always been ruthless with people I didn’t care about, and I didn’t go easy on Ryan either.
I organized Sophie’s story and posted it online.
Derek also shared the message and added, “My fiancée and that person have always just been friends–there was never any seduction. As for Caressa and me, I’ve always been the one pursuing her. Fortunately, I finally caught up with her.”
Public opinion changed rapidly with this message. Those who had been attacking and cursing me immediately turned on Sophie instead.
Before long, she deleted her account and disappeared completely from the online world. I sneered. She really brought it on herself.
Soon after, Ryan called me. His voice sounded exhausted.
“Caressa, I didn’t ask her to do this. It really has nothing to do with me.”
“I know,” I said without any emotion.
When you know you’re loved, you stop being obsessed with certain things.
“Caressa, can we really never go back? Even if I’ve changed now, is there still no chance?”
“No, it’s over.”
47 84%
11.20
Chapter 9
288 Vouchers
This time it was truly over.
Afterward, my life returned to normal. I stayed busy with work every day, and in my spare time, I’d tease Derek. Life was incredibly comfortable.
That failed secret crush was no longer a painful scar in my heart. All the sadness was being carefully protected and smoothed away by Derek.
After the Watson family saw that my marriage to Derek was completely settled, they gave up entirely on Ryan’s family.
I heard he’d been completely kicked out of the company now and could only live off a small dividend.
After Sophie’s social death, she latched onto Ryan. Now, when their circle mentioned the two of them, everyone looked like they were watching a joke. It was really pitiful.
My wedding to Derek was grand, matching all my fantasies and expectations. Ryan came that day too.
He wasn’t as high–spirited as before. He’d only been standing there for a short while when Sophie’s figure appeared beside him.
Looking at his exhausted expression, I knew he probably wouldn’t be able to escape that woman for the rest of his life.
Under the sunlight, Derek kissed me with tears streaming down his face.
Among the bustling crowd, he said his years of secret love finally had a result, and thankfully, I had stopped moving forward and looked back
at him.
71.83%
11.20
Chapter 9
I also couldn’t stop crying–thankfully, the result was right.
I made up my mind that I definitely wouldn’t waste the next few decades.
I would have a better life.
