Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Her steps slowed to a halt, but she still couldn’t bring herself to face that person.

Walden Sullivan came up behind her, “When I first saw you, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, I couldn’t believe it was really you Lelitia

He saw Letitia picking up trash And she was good at it, like it wasn’t her first time doing it.

“Letitia. how did you end up like this? Walden asked, “What on earth have you been through these past years?”

That girl who once shined so bright, exuding charm and grace, the girl of his dreams.

Now, she was cloaked in exhaustion and the weight of the world.

“You’ve got the wrong person, Letitia said, her head down.

“No, it’s definitely you. I’d recognize you anywhere!”

She let out a mocking laugh and suddenly spun around, “Yes, I’m Letitia, your once fiancée, Mr. Sullivan! But now, we’re nothing to each other You go your way, and I’ll go mine!”

Back then, Walden and Letitia had been engaged.

But after the Sanders family’s catastrophe, the Sullivan family immediately broke off the engagement unilaterally and, to distance themselves, quickly whisked Walden off abroad.

During that time. Letitia went through hell. She was running between jail, the hospital, and the police station, desperately needing someone’s help.

That someone should have been Walden. But she couldn’t get through to him, couldn’t find him; the Sullivan family’s doors were shut tight, the security guards pushed her away, shooed her off… All of her former friends turned their

backs on her.

“It’s not like that, Letitia, hear me out, Walden reached for her shoulder, “Going abroad was my dad’s call. He said it was so I could cut my teeth, build a career, and then come back to marry you. I agreed to go abroad to give you a better life!” “So going abroad means you can’t pick up the phone? Vanish without a trace? Can’t even bother to say goodbye

“The situation at the time.

“Enough, Letitia cut him off, “I don’t want to hear it, it’s all in the past.”

Letitia had completely lost faith in Walden. She shook off his hand and turned to leave.

“Letitia!”

“Don’t follow me!” she yelled, “The last person I want to see right now is you!”

Walden stood there, stunned, watching her disappear from his sight.

“Mr. Sullivan, your appointment with Mr. Ramirez is coming up, his assistant reminded him.

“Okay. Do me a favor, find out what Letitia has been through these last two years.”

“Yes, Mr. Sullivan.”

Letitia arrived at the Ramirez Group, only to hear Ranen say, “Madam, you’re here, Mr. Ramirez has been looking for you!”

Til go in right away.”

in the CEO’s office. Elgin lounged in his chair, eyeing her up and down.

Letitia felt uncomfortable under his gaze, “Is there something you wanted…

Take aft your clothes.”

She was started, “Wha what?

Chapter 13

“Do I need to repeat myself? Or should I take them off for you?”

Uncertain of his intentions, Letitia bit her lip, unbuttoned her shirt, and slowly took it off.

“Turn around.”

She did as told. On her fair back, a long gruesome scar snaked from her shoulder to her waist.

Letitia shivered involuntarily, her skin breaking out in goosebumps

“Why endure such physical pain? Elgin approached, his calloused fingertips touching the wound, “Can’t you tell right from wrong, woman?”

“I’d rather be killed than be insulted.”

“Such spirit, he scoffed. “I wonder if you’ll make it through this time. And what about the next?”

Letitia replied. “Elgin, you’d rather trample on my dignity and pride than just torture my body, right?”

“Exactly! Mental torment is the real torture!”

His fingertips pressed slightly into the healing wound, causing Letitia to jolt in pain.

“Don’t provoke Shela, and do whatever she asks, Elgin warned, “Got it?”

“I got it.”

There was a knock at the door, “Mr. Ramirez, your client has arrived”

“Let them in. He tossed a shirt at Letitia’s face, “Get in there and get dressed.”

She hurried into the rest area. A private space connected to the office, it was secluded and fully equipped. Letitia rifled through the supplies, her face lighting up as she found a first-aid kit.

She could treat her wound without spending a penny.

Meanwhile, Elgin sat cross-legged on the couch, watching Walden walk in.

“Mr. Ramirez, a pleasure to meet you, Walden said politely, “I come with full sincerity for our collaboration.”

“Have a seat.

The Ramirez Group owned many industries, with jewelry as one of its pillars, bringing in billions in profit every year. The country’s top gemstone materials all came from the Ramirez Group.

Now, Elgin wanted to go beyond supplying raw materials for jewelry, he wanted to establish a brand and engage directly with consumers.

And the Sullivan Group had a renowned jewelry brand-Sunbeam Gems.

Walden laid out a stack of designs, “Mr. Ramirez, since you want to leverage your resources to establish a jewelry brand, and that will surely require top-notch designers Here are ‘Sunbeam Gems’ best-selling designs of the year for your

consideration”

He wanted to partner with Elgin. He would provide the designs and brand influence, while Elgin would supply the resources, audience, and gemstone materials.

Everyone wanted to partner with the Ramirez Group, it would definitely double their profits!

Having just returned to take over the Sullivan Group, Walden hoped to make a splash with this deal gaining his father’s and the board’s recognition.

Elgin took the designs. The office was quiet, save for the sound of flicking through the pages.

In the break room, after patching herself up, Letitia grabbed the first aid kit, ready to put it back in its place. But her grip clipped, and down went the box.

Stuffocattered everywhere with a loud noise, that racket was loud enough for Waiden to hear

But Elgin? He acted as if nothing happened, still eyeballing those jewelry designs

Chapter 13

“Mr. Ramirez, Walden couldn’t help but point out, “that noise was… what’s up with that?”

He answered, cool as a cucumber, “Nothing much, just a pesky rat.”

Letitia froze for a hot second, then quickly crouched down to clean up, with more rustling sounds following.

“Those rats are getting pretty bold, huh? Walden coughed, “Maybe you should consider getting a mousetrap, Mr. Ramirez.”

Elgin raised an eyebrow, “Good thinking.”

A still-shaken Letitia put the first aid kit back in its faraway spot, clutching her thumping chest.

After hanging tight for about fifteen minutes, she didn’t hear any noise outside.

“Should be safe to check out now… she muttered to herself, “Let’s see what’s going on.”

Letitia tiptoed to the door, slowly inching it open to sneak a peek.

This angle didn’t give her a view of the reception area.

She nudged the door open a tad more, poking half her head out, looking right no one there.

Then she glanced left, and caught sight of a black suit tailcoat. Letitia slowly looked up, only to see Elgin with a smirk. playing on his lips, “What are you looking at?”