Chapter 4

Valentina didn't intervene, letting the employees openly mock and disparage me.

When I first joined the company, someone once gave me a withering look.

Valentina had slapped him then and there, firing him on the spot.

Now, she wouldn't lift a finger to defend me.

"My love, I don't have much experience. Taking on the Executive VP position directly might not be suitable," Julian humbly offered, though his voice betrayed suppressed euphoria and excitement.

Valentina caressed his cheek with tender affection. "Julian, you are very capable. I trust your abilities."

I curved my lips into a cynical smile.

The projects I was managing were with partners notoriously difficult and demanding.

I’d pulled countless all-nighters to craft proposals that finally won their approval.

The projects were underway, and changing personnel mid-stream would surely anger them, potentially terminating their collaboration with Rossi Corp.

But if Valentina trusted Julian so implicitly, then these were no longer my concerns.

I met Valentina's gaze directly.

"Fine, I'm leaving. From now on, Rossi Corp and I have nothing to do with each other."

With that, I coolly shrugged off the bodyguards' grip, stood up, and walked out of the office.

Laughter echoed behind me, but I ignored it all.

Driving home, I efficiently packed my belongings and moved out of Valentina’s house.

After checking into a hotel, I drove to the beach to clear my head.

I grew up by the sea and had a deep connection to it.

I was lying under a sun umbrella, resting, when suddenly a splash of seawater hit my face.

I frowned and opened my eyes, seeing Julian's provoking grin.

"Excuse me, could you move? This is my spot."

I stared at him with annoyance. "Get lost!"

Julian's face changed. He pointed at a figure approaching us in the distance. "If you don't move, don't blame Valentina if she gets rough with you later."

His tone again filled with smugness. "My love and I are getting married next week. She said she wants to do a hundred romantic gestures to mark our journey into marriage, to make it truly special."

I curled my lips into a cold sneer.

No wonder Valentina had always refused my suggestions to come to the beach.

Her "special gestures" were reserved for Julian all along.

I spoke, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"What does that have to do with me? Get out. Don't make me say it a third time."

Julian's face hardened, his eyes blazing with fury, and he swung a fist at me.

I sprang up instantly, grabbed his arm, and delivered a vicious uppercut to his gut.

These past few years, I’d consistently trained, keeping my combat skills sharp.

How dare a pampered pretty boy like him try to lay a hand on me?

Julian's face went ashen. He clutched his stomach, doubled over on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Liam Hayes, you’re insane!"

A sharp slap landed heavily across my face.

I didn't get angry; instead, I laughed, staring at Valentina, who was helping Julian up.

"Why don't you ask him how he provoked me first?"

Valentina’s gaze was laced with venom.

Without a word, she ordered the bodyguards to grab me and drag me towards the ocean. Then, she brutally forced my head under the saltwater.

The salty, briny water rushed into my mouth and nose. I struggled desperately, but it was futile.

Just as my consciousness wavered, nearing suffocation, I was yanked back to the surface.

As soon as I caught my breath, I was plunged back under.

This cycle repeated over and over, until Valentina's voice, full of disgust, reached my ears.

"Liam Hayes, you pathetic life, how dare you hurt Julian?"

"If you didn't look like him, I would have thrown you into the ocean for good."

After an hour of this torture, I was completely drained of strength.

Only then did Valentina, with a magnanimous wave, allow them to release my dazed and disoriented body, before she and a smug Julian walked away.

The terror of near-death still clung to my heart.

I gasped for air, lying there for what felt like an eternity before I shakily managed to stand.

Valentina, moments ago, had truly wanted me dead.

I gave a bitter, hollow laugh, tears silently tracing paths down my face.

Finally, my heart was completely dead.

I pulled out my phone and sent a message.

[I accept. Let's set the wedding for next week.]