After Mr. Lawson finished speaking, Vanessa was momentarily shocked, but then shook her head reassuringly. “Please don’t blame yourself, Mr. Lawson. This had nothing to do with you. If it hadn’t been Talia, it would have been someone else.”
Drew’s heart had been too capacious, able to hold both her and another woman. His love hadn’t been pure or lasting enough.
“I’m glad you don’t blame me. And please, stop calling me Mr. Lawson–call me Mason.” The lawyer affected a casual tone. “I’m not practicing law anymore. I’ve decided to follow your path into
charitable work. Consider me your assistant from now on.”
“You don’t need to do this. I’m fine now,” Vanessa gently declined.
“I know you’re doing well. I just want to learn from you and contribute. Let me help,” Mason
pretended not to understand her refusal, smiled, and took the textbook from her hands to continue teaching the children.
Mason stayed in the village, spending most of his time helping with construction and teaching the
children.
His attentiveness to Vanessa was remarkable–he always seemed to anticipate her needs and wants. While maintaining a respectful distance, he surrounded her with genuine care.
Everyone in the village could see he had feelings for her.
Grandma Quintero often encouraged Vanessa to accept him.
Vanessa found herself troubled by the situation.
One evening at sunset, Vanessa climbed to a viewing platform to watch the day end.
Mason had somehow followed her up, offering her a peeled apple.
“Try it–it’s sweet,” he said.
“Thank you,” Vanessa accepted the apple but didn’t eat it, instead gazing at the crimson–tinted sky in
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His Double Life Crashed… My Empire Soared!
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Chapter 17
the distance.
“Mason, are you truly happy staying here?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” Mason nodded. “Anywhere you are, I’ll be happy.”
“I know your intentions, but I can’t love again and I don’t have the strength to. Don’t waste your time on me out of guilt.” She returned the apple to him. “I found a worm in an apple the other day. I won’t be eating them anymore.”
“Vanessa, life is long. I believe someday you’ll move past this and trust in love again. If you won’t eat apples, that’s fine–there are plenty of other fruits,” Mason persisted. He wasn’t acting out of guilt; he genuinely liked Vanessa.
From the moment he first saw her five years ago, he had been drawn to her.
He had deliberately sought to become a lawyer for Foster Industries, trying every possible way to be
near her.
No matter how long it took, he would wait.
Even if it meant spending his life by her side as just a friend, as long as she was well, he would be
content.
As the sun set completely and darkness swallowed the afterglow, Vanessa said nothing more, silently rising to leave.
She’d give up trying to dissuade him–he would understand eventually.
Meanwhile, Drew had never stopped searching for Vanessa.
Each time he followed a lead, he would discover Vanessa had purchased tickets to various
destinations.
She was deliberately evading him.
Drew grew increasingly anxious, becoming more volatile. Several times during partnership negotiations, he lost his temper with potential partners, costing the company billions.
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His Double Life Cracked My Empire Soared!
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Chapter 17
Company shareholders united in protest, demanding a change in executive director and insisting Drew personally cover the losses.
The shareholders gathered, confronting Drew outside his office.
“Mr. Blackstone, the company’s massive losses are unacceptable.”
“If your personal feelings are affecting your work, perhaps you should consider stepping aside temporarily.”
“This company doesn’t belong to you alone–you need to consider our interests too. We’ve already informed your mother. If you persist in this obsession, we’ll sell our shares and withdraw our
investments.”
Faced with their threats, Drew showed no reaction, completely dismissing their concerns.
At that moment, his assistant rushed over, breathless with excitement. “Sir, we have news of Mrs.
Blackstone!”
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