Eliza drank.
She was in a terrible mood.
For years, she had worked tirelessly to get Qingfeng Group back on track, only for her own father to side with an outsider and try to push her out.
Eliza felt utterly cold and hopeless inside.
Between father and daughter, it was always about interests—never affection.
Fueled by alcohol, Eliza stormed into Dasheng Group.
Her arrival was a spectacle.
No one dared to stop her. Everyone knew she was Fyren's goddess, his fiancée, set to be engaged next month.
So she strode through with authority, commanding even more respect here than in her own company.
She rushed straight to the top floor. Zaring had already gotten word and hurried out to intercept her.
"Eliza, Eliza—Fyren is meeting an important guest. Please wait in the lounge for a moment."
Drunk, Eliza snapped, "Asshole! Since when do I wait to see Fyren? Get out of my way!"
The alcohol made her bolder, more impulsive, but her sharpness remained.
One look at Zaring's expression told her something was off.
After two steps, she turned and glared, freezing him in place.
"If you dare warn him, I'll make sure you die horribly."
"Huh? I… didn't…"
Eliza stepped closer. "Let me remind you—I'm the most important woman in Fyren's heart. You know better than anyone how much he's sacrificed these past three years just to marry me."
"Yes…"
"Starting next month, I'll be the young madam of the Zhang family. If you cross me, I'll whisper in Fyren's ear every night. Let's see how long you last."
Zaring was stunned.
No matter how close he was to Fyren, he was still just a subordinate.
If he angered Eliza, his future would be bleak.
Seeing his dumbstruck expression, Eliza smirked. "Stay put."
With that, she pushed the door open and entered.
In the outer office, she spotted the secretary, Chloe, who opened her mouth to speak—
Eliza raised a finger to her lips, her eyes flashing a silent warning: Make a sound, and you're fired.
Chloe froze. She couldn't afford to lose her job.
And she knew better than anyone how far Fyren's indulgence of Eliza went.
Eliza reveled in the moment, a rush of triumph surging through her.
Being the Zhang family's young madam was exhilarating!
She realized she loved this status—the power, the influence over Fyren's empire—it fed her vanity, her ambition.
A thought flickered in her mind: If Fyren is mine, then everything he owns is mine too.
If they fear Fyren, they'll have to fear me too—hehehe. Who made me the young madam of the Zhang family?
She walked into the suite and found it empty.
Where were the VIPs?
Hearing voices from inside, Eliza immediately tensed.
Could… he be hiding a mistress here?
Good! So while pretending to chase after me, he's been keeping a beautiful woman in the company, is that it?
Approaching the lounge, she saw the door slightly ajar. Peering through the crack, she froze—it was her own father, Elton Leng, speaking with Fyren.
Elton sat in the seat of honor, his tone arrogant. "Fyren, my intelligence network has thoroughly investigated this. The shantytown project has no profit potential whatsoever. What exactly are you thinking?"
Fyren chuckled. "Profit isn't the priority. Even at a loss, developing the East City Center is necessary. Entrepreneurs should have social responsibility."
"Hmph! You've made a huge mistake. Let's cut to the chase—you want to marry my Eliza. As per our agreement, it starts at ten billion dollars. That's what we discussed."
Eliza, still at the doorway, felt dizzy. Her legs weakened, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.
What?!
Mom and Dad agreed to the Zhang family's marriage… because Fyren offered a high price?
What am I? A commodity up for sale?
Tears welled in Eliza's eyes.
I really do have a price tag.
Fyren, however, scratched his ear lazily. "I'm strapped for cash right now. Scraping together fifty billion for the project has drained me."
Elton stood abruptly. "No money, no marriage! Consider your engagement canceled!"
Fyren burst out laughing and rose to shake Elton's hand. "Thank you, Uncle. Please inform Eliza—I won't be attending."
"Don't you… always claim to adore her?"
"She doesn't like me. You all know that."
"I'll still marry her to you—if the price is right."
The Fyren from days ago would have paid without hesitation.
But the Fyren now? He couldn't even feign interest.
Smiling, Fyren said, "No need. Eliza and I walk different paths. A forced match is bitter. Let's part amicably."
Eliza was shattered.
All that talk of love, devotion, vows of undying commitment…
Fake. All fake.
Just business. Cold, calculated business.
So now… I'm worthless?
Fyren, after three years of chasing me, after all your sweet words—you discard me without a second thought?
Could anything be more absurd? Could anyone be more pitiful than me?
My father treats me as merchandise. The man who loyally pursued me for three years turns out to be heartless, casting me aside like trash…
Does anyone in this world truly care about me? Does anyone still see me as a person?
I, Eliza, am nothing but a clown.
Elton Leng was furious. "Fyren, don't get cocky! The Leng family won't let you off so easily. Do you think you can escape consequences just because you tricked Eliza into investing in this worthless project with you? Dream on! Next week I'll announce Eliza's removal from her position - she'll have no further connection to Qingfeng Group!"
Fyren was stunned. "What did you say?"
"I'm Qingfeng Group's chairman! I have that authority!"
Fyren tensed. "Don't do this. Revitalizing Qingfeng is Eliza's dream. You're her father - you can't just take that away from her."
"Dream? What dream? All I want is for Qingfeng Group to return to the top. Whoever can make that happen will be its president!"
Fyren grew agitated. "You might as well kill her! You know how hard she's worked all these years, how desperately she's wanted to prove herself to you. How is this any different from killing her? As her father, you should be her greatest supporter right now!"
"And you're her fiancé? Didn't you abandon her too?"
"Can I really be compared to you?" Fyren shouted. "I'm just an outsider! You know how much she despises me - all of Crystalpeak City knows! I can break up with her, even divorce her if we married. But a parent isn't a choice! You're supposed to be there her entire life - supporting her unconditionally, protecting her, loving her, always standing behind her! How dare you call yourself a father like this?!"
"Well, well! What a speech! Then why are you trying to trap us?"
"I'm not! I just... I never expected her to get involved. She misunderstood, thought there was profit to be made. I designed this project to lose money!"
"Don't give me that! I've seen through your scheme - you want to drag our three families down, make us all lose money, then pick us off one by one, isn't that right?"
Fyren spun around anxiously. "How could you think that of me! Uncle Elton, you can't do this to Eliza. Her tough exterior is just an act - inside she's fragile, she desperately needs your love and support! It kills me to see her pretending to be strong all the time. You're her father - how can you be so heartless?"
Eliza, still in the doorway, was now weeping openly.
Fyren's words had pierced straight to her heart.
Fyren... if you understand me so well, why didn't you say so sooner? Why did you have to act so slick and annoy me?
If you love me so much, why did you make a deal with my father to buy and sell me like some commodity?
If you can't bear to hurt me, why did you suddenly call off the engagement?
Why? What more do you want from me before you'll let me go?
What kind of person are you? What the hell are you trying to do?
Elton Leng said, "Don't waste my time with nonsense. You're all thousand-year-old foxes playing tricks - I was singing Liaozhai when you were still playing in the mud!"
Fyren was furious: "Is this about the shantytown project? Fine! However much you've invested, I'll cover it all! If there's profit, you take it. If there's loss, it's on me!"
"Oh?" Elton Leng's expression brightened at the mention of money. "Don't just talk the talk!"
"I, Fyren, don't make empty promises!"
"But let me be clear - this money isn't part of the marriage deal for Eliza. Don't confuse the two."
Fyren looked at Elton in shock. "Do you ever think about anything besides money? Where's your fatherly love when you talk about your own daughter? Is Eliza just some commodity to you? Doesn't your constant money-grubbing disgust even yourself? You're her father - if Eliza heard you say these things, how heartbroken would she be?"
"Enough pointless talk! Do we have a deal or not?"
"As long as you don't hurt Eliza, it's a deal!"
"Good, then transfer the money!"
Fyren gritted his teeth. "I'll give you ten billion directly. The other forty-nine billion - invest it properly without breaking the government agreement! The remaining fifty-one billion - buy land or whatever you want. Just don't hurt Eliza!"
"My, my! Quite the generous offer!"
"Damn right!" Fyren said. "And from now on, our families go our separate ways. No more entanglements!"
"Fine by me. Transfer the money!"
Eliza stood on the verge of collapse as she watched Fyren.
She didn't know whether to feel devastated or moved.
What was this man really thinking?
Didn't he love her? He was willing to pay any price and confront her greedy father - he could have her!
So why was he insisting on cutting ties?
What did he really want from her?
Fyren grabbed his phone: "Maggie, transfer ten billion to Qingfeng Group's account immediately. Yes, I fucking know what I'm doing! I'll take full responsibility! Skip the damn formalities - contact the bank directly. The transfer must be completed within five minutes!"
He hung up. "Satisfied?"
Elton Leng laughed heartily. "Young man, you're still too impulsive, too naive."
"Uncle Elton, I'm begging you - don't hurt Eliza."
"Why? Didn't you want to sever ties with our family? Why do you care so much about her?"
Fyren took a shaky breath, tears welling in his eyes.
"Because I'm human. Flesh and blood human."
Elton nodded: "Still, my offer stands. Transfer another ten billion, and Eliza is definitely yours."
Fyren clenched his jaw. "Take care of yourself!"
Elton laughed as he pushed open the door.