A Torrential Downpour


    The crowd behind me surged forward, pushing me involuntarily towards the small stage.


    I didn’t understand these people. What were they so excited about? They were all shouting and


    jumping around, and I couldn’t help but look towards the stage.


    Finally, I saw him.


    As, dressed in a sharp ck designer suit and a silver tie, confidently strode onto the stage. He


    looked even moremanding and charismatic than thest time I saw him. My heart pounded wildly


    in my


    chest.


    This was my first time seeing him since that day at the hospital. He seemedrger than life, a true king


    among men. It was no wonder the women in the audience were going wild. They might have even tried


    to


    pounce on him if he was any closer.


    I hadn’t realized that As owned Arkadia za. Even the coveted Sautoir Fine Jewelry, which


    everyone


    was moring for, was his. I thought As was only involved in development, but I was sorely


    mistaken.


    He waved his hand, signaling the enthusiastic crowd to quiet down. Instantly, thousands of voices fell


    silent as if under a spell. His maic voice resonated throughout the entire hall.


    As he gave a brief speech, Harmony stood by, enchanted. She was constantly changing poses,


    gracefully


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Then, together, they drew the winning numbers for the gift bags.


    Afterpleting all the procedures, the two exchanged a smile. Like a guardian angel, As escorted


    Harmony down the stage, disappearing from view.


    Even so, the hall buzzed with excitement. It took me a while toe back to my senses.


    struggled to get out of the crowd and made my way upstairs. The situation on the upper floors was


    much better, though crowds were still around the atriums


    It seemed that the real driving force behind Harmony’s rise was none other than As,


    Aher exchanging Ava’s clothes and leaving the mall, I went to the underground parking lot to find my


    car.


    from a distance and was about to get in when someone grabbed my wrist. Startled, I turned


    men who had just seemed unreachable stood right behind me.


    had he forget what he tended to do, we boll just stared at


    The car beside us was suddenly unlocked with a ‘click.‘ This snapped me back to reality, and I quickly


    withdrew my hand.


    “Mr. As… Did you need something?” I stammered.


    He didn’t say a word and just extended a box toward me. “A birthday gift for Ava.”


    I nced down briefly, not daring to meet his eyes. “Thank you. It’s not necessary.”


    His hand visibly tensed for a moment, then quickly retracted. Without saying anything more, he turned


    and walked away.


    I truly felt like the whole world had abandoned me. What did this mean? He couldn’t spare one more


    word? Was this the end?


    I stared nkly in the direction he left for a long time, unable to snap out of it. If it weren’t for the owner


    of the nearby car trying to get to their door, I might have still been standing there.


    I quickly left the mall as hot tears streamed down my face. This was for the best. I could finally let go of


    all the tangled emotions. The painful journey had finally reached its end.


    It was something I had to face sooner orter. Before I even returned to the office, the phone rang.


    pressed the button on the car phone to answer.


    I


    “Ms. Chloe? This is Atticus. Do you have a moment? I’d like to meet with you. There’s an important


    matter