Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Vincent returned to the apartment only to be greeted by a sweet, tangy scent, but Stephanie was nowhere to be seen.

He put the gift box down and hung tip his suit jacket at the threshold, then made his way into the bedroom. Stephanie wasn’t here, either,

He reckoned she was sketching in the study.

Nudging the door open, he peered into the study and found Stephanie slumped over the desk, fast asleep.

He sauntered forward and observed her calm, sleeping face, and felt warmth fill his heart.

He bent over to kiss her on the cheek, but just as he drew closer to her, she reached out to grab his collar.

Stephanie’s eyes flew open, her eyelashes fluttering as she teased, “Trying to steal a kiss, Mr. Fletcher?”

Vincent braced a hand on the table and placed the other on the back of Stephanie’s chair. He beheld her with a depthless and mysterious gaze as he drawled, “That was my plan until you ruined it.”

“I can pretend to be asleep,” she offered.

“No,” Vincent said softly as he leaned forward to kiss her, the tip of his tongue probing past her lips.

Stephanie softened against him as he deepened the kiss, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Vincent grabbed her waist and hoisted her onto the desk, then wedged himself between her legs as he continued kissing her.

After a while, the kissing stopped, and he pressed his forehead to hers. “I think kissing is enough for tonight.”

Stephanie eyed him sullenly. “How mean of you.”

“I thought you liked me better when I’m mean,” he jested.

She cupped his face in her hands. “Not like this.”

Vincent proceeded to tell her what had happened earlier that night.

A frosty look flashed in Stephanie’s eyes. Now that she had a second shot at life, she refused to let Vincent get hurt. “If Nancy doesn’t leave tomorrow, send her away myself.”

“Shh, don’t get angry, Vincent placated as he pulled Stephanie into his arms and patted her back.

She took several breaths to calm herself. “I can’t help it. I’m p**d that she thought she could pursue someone who is already taken!”

Sensing Stephanie’s rage, Vincent knew he could only resort to kissing and hugging her, but even those failed to cheer her up. “Let me show you something”

“What?” Stephanie asked.

He took her hand and led her to the threshold where he had put the gift box on the floor

She asked, “You bought me a present?”

He nodded. “A precious one, might add.”

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Guiding her to sit on the couch, he placed the gift box on her lap and prompted, “Go on, open it.”

Curious, Stephanie untied the red ribbon binding the box and opened the lid, revealing the rose that was inlaid with rubles.

She glanced at Vincent. “Diamond art? Did you do this?”

“Yeah,” he answered.

She held up the fabric and found it familiar, “Is this a bedsheet?” she mumbled.

“Take a closer look,” Vincent said.

Stephanie did as she was told, and a second later, she blushed furiously. “Y-You creep!”

Vincent pulled her into his lap. “How am la creep?”

“I can’t believe you’d use this particular bedsheet for your diamond art!” she exclaimed incredulously.

Hechuckled. “I figured it’d be memorable. After all, that night was our first time-

Stephanie quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. “Shut up!”

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He kissed her palm and she drew her hand back bashfully. “I spent the entire afternoon working on this in the office. You could at least show some appreciation,” he pointed out.

“I think you’re sick in the head. Why would you do something like this?” she asked exasperatedly.

Vincent explained solemnly, “I assure you it’s not a fetish. The bedsheet reminded me of our first time together, and I was happy about it. I’ll cherish you forever, Stephanie.”

She smiled through pursed lips. “No takebacks.”

“No takebacks,” he promised.

At that moment, Stephanie couldn’t possibly fathom that she would one day be buried and suffocating under rubble, all the while thinking about Vincent’s pathetic promise.

The next day, Vincent showed up at Fletcher Group after dropping Stephanie off at the design studio.

He had only just returned to his office after the morning meeting when his door opened, and in walked Nancy

Zane followed her into the office and gave Vincent an apologetic nod. “I’m sorry, Mr. Fletcher, I couldn’t stop her.”

Vincent looked up and said to Zane, “You may leave.”

“Yes, sir,” Zane replied.

Nancy slithered up to the desk and complained, “I didn’t think you’d be so heartless, Vincent.”

“You were the one who asked to resign, and I think that’s the right call,” Vincent countered. “Any more shenanigans from you, and I can’t promise I’ll spare you after I’ve gotten over the guilt I feel toward your father. You know I don’t go easy on my enemies, Nancy.”

His tone was lethal, albeit gentle.

“You’d hurt me like that?” Nancy asked, her heart aching.

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Chapter 111

Leaning into his chair, Vincent said c o l y, “I’m only treating you the way you deserve to be treated. No point blaming others for it.” With that, he signed a check and slid it to her. “Here, this should be enough for the rest of your life.”

Nancy glanced at the number on the check. 40 million dollars. “You think my father’s life was only worth this much?”

Narrowing his eyes, Vincent pulled out a paper bag from his drawer and tossed it at her. “Take a look for yourself

Nancy opened the bag and took out a stack of documents. As she flipped through them, her eyes widened. “No, this is impossible! My father would never sell off the core technology! This is an outright liel

Vincent said coldly, “Your father only saved me out of guilt after he sold the technology to Storm Corps and Twilight Corps. When he realized he’d been found out, he shielded me from the gunshot to make up for it, and to protect you. I kept this from you, but you kept thinking lowed your father for my life and emotionally blackmailed me. I figured it’s time I told you the truth. Be grateful that I’m letting you off easy. We got ahold of a Skull Corps top executive, and according to him, Skull Corps was wiped out by Storm Corps after someone revealed its coordinates. You’re the only person I could think of who would do something like this, Nancy. Tell me, who was your liaison?”

Nancy’s eyes were wide. “I didn’t do it”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t admit it. I’m merciful enough to not ask you about the shady deals you’ve made,” Vincent drawled.

Biting her lips, Nancy took a deep breath and said, “Since you don’t trust me anymore, I see no point in arguing my case. Care to send me off with a hug?”

“No,” Vincent rejected flatly.

A bitter laugh escaped Nancy. “You’ve only ever

cared about Stephanie.”

Vincent stared at Nancy icily. “If you touch Stephanie, you’re dead the next time I see you.”

Nancy shuddered. She didn’t think he would be so cruel to her.

She took the check and leh

After leaving Fletcher Group, she called Stephanie. “Let’s meet.”

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