“Lena, mark my words — one day you’ll beg me for help!”
And now… I really had to ask him for help.
I dialed the phone, mentally preparing my excuses.
But when Jason’s deep, magnetic voice came through the line,
I froze.
“Lena, I saw what happened. Are you okay?”
I had expected him to mock me like the other rich heirs would.
After all, we had what could be called “deep grudges.”
“How are you feeling? Are you holding up?”
I hadn’t expected his concern.
For a moment, I couldn’t even speak.
He grew more anxious.
“Damn it. I’m in the States right now, I can’t fly back immediately.
Don’t do anything rash — I already sent my assistant to find you.
Tell them whatever you need.”
“And I found out everything about that publisher.
I’ll have that woman fired today.”
For the first time since this mess began, my nose stung and my eyes watered.
No matter how strong I acted,
being publicly humiliated and shamed still hurt.
Slut-shaming was like a spear that stabbed deeper every time someone mentioned it.
Jason heard my soft sob and fell silent for a long time.
“Lena.”
“Let’s get married.”
“What?”
I thought I misheard.
“Jason Ford, are you out of your mind?”
“I’m serious. You’re in the middle of a storm.
And honestly… my reputation isn’t that great either.”
I might not care about my reputation,
but other people did — especially men.
Jason’s amused laugh came through the phone.
“Perfect, then.
I’ve been called a playboy in the social scene for years — we’re a match made in heaven.”
I couldn’t help but laugh too.
He had been writing love notes to girls since he was thirteen.
By twenty, he was caught at nightclubs with two women in his arms.
By thirty, rumors swirled that he had a love child.
“Relax. Even if we marry, we can still just be buddies.
It’s a business arrangement — whatever you do after, I won’t interfere.
Purely value, no emotions.”
Maybe it was anger.
Or maybe I was just tired.
But I nodded and agreed.
“Lena,” Jason said, almost smug,
“now you have to admit I’m not useless.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Jason! So that’s what you were waiting for!
Fine, I apologize — I shouldn’t have called you a loser back then.
When you come back, whatever compensation you want, I’ll give it to you.”
He only smiled.
“All I want is your acknowledgment.”
I fell silent again.
“How do you want me to deal with her?” Jason asked.
“Should I hand her over to the police?
Make sure she can never return to the U.S.?”
That was my original plan —