Chapter 281

Chapter 281

Mark was feeling a twinge of regret. “So, when we bumped into each other again in college, I was kicking myself for missing out on so many years of your life, for all the tough times you had to go through without me.”

“It’s not on you,” I reassured him.

Back when my life took a downturn, he was just a kid himself.

There are some paths in life you have to walk alone. Nobody can do it for you.

The fact that he was there for me, lending a hand when I needed it most, meant the world to me.

While we were catching up, Christine came out with a big pot of stew, all smiles, “How’s the chat going, you two? Ready for some grub?”

Mark was all in, “Fire it up! I missed lunch and I’m starving.”

That dinner, with Christine around, was filled with laughter and joy.

Gradually, I let the trending news slip to the back of my mind.

What’s past, is past.

The next day, the snow was still falling, the cold wind biting, and the ground was covered in a blanket of white.

Christine had stayed over and nearly jumped with excitement after a phone call, “Jane, how’s your injury? Can you make it out today?”

I took a sip of water before I asked, “What’s up?”

“The contract with RF came through! They said if we sign now, the funds will be in by lunch!”

“So fast!” I was as thrilled as she was.

Normally, you’d expect a multinational like RF to take a while with contract procedures and fund approvals.

But this was quick!

When we arrived at RF Group’s RiverCity office, York Carlson was already there with the contract, waiting in the meeting room.

Seeing us, he apologized with a smile, “Sorry, our branch office isn’t set up yet, so the place is a bit basic.”

“Mr. Carlson, you’re setting up a branch here in RiverCity?” Christine asked, seizing the opportunity.

He was straightforward, handing over the contract while explaining, “It’s in the plans. We were going to wait, but some complications have sped up the process.”

I felt he was hinting at something but couldn’t pin it down. So, I just went through the contract.

Everything seemed fair.

Christine, ever cautious, asked with a smile before I signed, “Mr. Carlson, are you sure the finance department can have the funds in by noon?”

“For special cases, we take special actions,” he answered, as relaxed as always.

Christine caught on, “Special cases?”

I was curious too, looking at him.

He paused for a moment, then chuckled, “I see a lot of potential in Janedream. What if you turned to another company because of a delay in funding?”

4d fo

RF Group’s efficiency exceeded our expectations.

Just as we were leaving their office after signing the contract, my phone rang.

The funds were in!

Christine was both shocked and delighted. We were about to grab lunch but instantly decided to head to the office building where we’d placed a down payment.

The moment we signed the lease and got the keys, both Christine and I saw the excitement and anticipation in each other’s eyes.

We finally had our own company.

Christine was beaming, “Why don’t you invite Mark over? Let’s celebrate tonight?”

“Sure…”

I was just agreeing when my phone rang again.

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13:32

Chapter 281

VENE

My whole body tensed when I saw the caller ID, and I gripped the phone tighter. Answering the call, my voice was cold, “What’s up?”

On the other end, the man’s voice was distant and cool, as if we had never shared anything, “Are you available this afternoon?”

Standing by the window, letting the cold wind seep into my lungs, I felt chilled to the bone, my tone just as icy.

“What for?”

“To get the divorce papers.”

“I’m available.”