"But … can you really bear to leave?" Corey said as he reached out to caress her skin, stirring her desire and causing her to lose all sense of direction.
At that point, Yvonne completely forgot that the video call with me was still connected.
I could hear that man whisper seductively, "Don't you want to be intimate with me one last time before you go?"
Under Corey's seduction, Yvonne gradually succumbed. She took the initiative, hooking her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately—the classic behavior of a woman driven by lust.
Watching from behind the screen, I clenched my fists as a fire of humiliation consumed me. Unable to watch any longer, I shut off the phone.
It was at that exact moment when the doctor rushed over to inform me that my mother had taken her own life. She had voluntarily removed her oxygen tube to avoid being a burden to me.
The doctor also told me that her ultimate goal was to buy back our family property after it had been pawned.
I collapsed onto her bed, sobbing as I held her lifeless body.
Three days later, I returned to the city carrying her ashes.
When I got back, I heard from headquarters that I would be taking over a project my coworker had botched. If I could successfully complete it, I would receive a two-million-dollar bonus.
For the sake of my mother's dying wish, I worked myself to the bone, going without sleep to finish it.
At that same time, Yvonne also returned to the company, bringing Corey with her. By then, the scandal between us had already become a topic of heated gossip.
Yvonne eventually found me and tried to hug me while apologizing. "Mark, I'm back. I know I've wronged you, so as an apology, I've established a large department store named 'Marvyné' as a gift for you. Please, stop being angry with me, okay?"
I immediately pushed her away, then turned and left with the iciest gaze. My only focus was completing the project, getting the bonus, redeeming the old house and leaving.
Seeing my coldness, Yvonne tried every method imaginable to win me back, following me everywhere I went.
After struggling for an entire week, I finally completed the project. Exhausted beyond measure, my eyes refused to stay open and I fell asleep right there at my desk.