After Elton Leng left, Fyren picked up his phone. "Maggie! Change the transfer to go directly to Eliza's private account. No questions—just do as I say."
Hanging up, Fyren was half-furious as he slammed his desk with a thunderous bang.
"What a fucking 'outstanding entrepreneur'! What a fucking 'pillar of the four great families'! Elton Leng, you money-grubbing dog! Eliza is beautiful and capable—with a daughter like that, you should cherish and protect her... You disgusting piece of shit!"
He slumped into his chair, gasping for breath. "Eliza can't handle this kind of shock... You want to screw me over? Fine! I'll transfer the ten billion directly to Eliza. You kick her out? Without her, you get nothing—let's see how you play this game! Try me! If you weren't Eliza's father, I'd shove your sorry ass back into the womb!"
After his outburst, Fyren collapsed into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
His mind was a mess.
Just then, a figure emerged from behind the door.
Eliza stood there, face streaked with tears, looking at Fyren expressionlessly.
Fyren spun around, saw her, and shot up from his chair as if electrocuted.
"El-El-Eliza?! What are you doing here? How... how long have you been here?"
"I heard everything."
Fyren froze.
Holy shit! It's over. She must be devastated. Who wouldn't be?
Game over. She'll hate me and her father now. I don't care if she hates me—I'm used to it. But how will she face her dad after this?
"Eliza, listen... some things... it's not what you think—"
"Save it. At this point, words are meaningless."
Fyren truly had nothing left to say.
With Eliza having overheard everything, there was no salvaging this!
Even the most silver-tongued orator, even a strategist as cunning as Zhuge Liang, would be at a loss here.
Guilt-ridden, Fyren muttered, "Yeah... I'm sorry."
Eliza said nothing. She just stared at him, tears flowing silently.
Suddenly, Fyren stormed out. "Zaring! Chloe! Get your asses in here NOW!"
The two rushed in, confused—until they saw the scene. Both paled in terror.
"Are you fucking brain-dead?! Eliza shows up and you don't warn me? What's the fucking point of keeping you around? Pack your shit and get out!"
Chloe was too stunned to react. Zaring dropped to his knees.
"Fyren! Please, I was wrong—give me one more chance!"
Eliza spoke up coldly. "I forced them. If you want to blame someone, blame me."
Fyren's anger evaporated instantly.
Eliza turned to the two subordinates. "Get out. There's nothing more for you here. I'm sorry I dragged you into this."
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't..."
Zaring pulled the still-dazed Chloe away, both scrambling to escape.
At that moment, Maggie pushed the door open and hurried in. Seeing Eliza in tears and Fyren standing silently, she nervously said, "Fyren... the ten-billion transfer requires your... signature."
Fyren nodded. "Bring it here."
As Fyren moved to sign, Eliza slapped her hand over the document, her tear-filled eyes locking onto his.
Fyren gave her a pained smile. "Stop this. Once I sign, you'll have the funds to... keep leading Qingfeng Group forward."
Eliza stared at him. "Why... don't you want to marry me anymore?"
His smile turned bitter. "I won't buy you with money, nor force you with it. You don't love me. Being together would only make us miserable—what's the point?"
Gently moving her hand aside, Fyren signed and handed the pen back to Maggie. His voice softened remarkably:
"Eliza, I know what I was like before. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you. If I could turn back time... I'd never let things happen this way. If there's any way to make up for the harm I've done, I'd do anything."
"Consider this money a small apology. Take it. You're a good woman—smart, hardworking, kind-hearted. Believe me, someday you'll meet your true destiny. He... he'll be extraordinary, better than anyone, perfect in every way. He'll love you, cherish you, protect you. The one you've been waiting for. With him, you'll never feel lonely or isolated again. That day will come."
Eliza suddenly snatched the signed transfer document from Fyren's hands.
"Eliza! What are you doing?"
"Maggie, leave."
Maggie had been desperate to escape. She bowed hastily and rushed out.
Fyren frowned. "You need that money."
"You're so rich—then buy me."
His eyes widened. "What did you... just say?"
"Am I not worth ten billion? Buy me."
"I've already apologized, can't you accept it? Please, spare me—I'll never dare..."
"I'm doing this willingly."
Fyren looked utterly defeated. "Big sister... you're just saying things..."
"It's not empty words. I'm in love with you."
Fyren stared at Eliza for several seconds before exhaling sharply.
"Eliza, you... sigh, I know you're just confused right now..."
"I'm not confused. Everything that's happened these past few days has shown me who you really are, and I genuinely like you. From the bottom of my heart, I want to be the young madam of the Zhang family."
Fyren stared at her, his face completely frozen.
"Big sister, you..."
Eliza stood firm. "I just need to know one thing—do you still like me?"
Fyren thought to himself:
Like you? Like you my ass! How could I dare like you now?
What's going on? This isn't right! For three years—three whole years—I followed you around like a dog, and you never even looked at me properly.
Why this sudden change? Why now...?
Reflecting on the past three years, Eliza also felt ashamed.
It was true—she'd never really understood Fyren and had often treated him terribly.
Most men with any self-respect would have given up on her long ago. Yet he'd endured three years of this.
Now, Eliza couldn't recall Fyren ever being truly annoying. Instead, when she thought back, all her happiest moments seemed to involve him.
Remembering those scenes, she suddenly realized she'd been living in bliss all this time without knowing it—and was overwhelmed with guilt toward Fyren.
"In the past... I was wrong. Don't... don't be angry with me, okay? I'm sorry. I'm apologizing to you."
Fyren, unaware of Eliza's change of heart, saw only that her attitude toward him had done a complete one-eighty overnight.
He couldn't comprehend it. He couldn't accept it.
"Eliza... are you acting this way because you're overwhelmed lately? Don't worry, I won't bother you anymore—"
"I want you to bother me!" Eliza cut in urgently. "Before, I took my happiness for granted. And you—you purposely acted so annoying that I misunderstood you all this time."
"Misunderstood?!"
"Anyway, I finally understand how you really feel. I like you. Sincerely."
Fyren's mind buzzed with static.
"I think you're just caught up in the moment. This is impulsive."
"Fine. I get it—you're not interested anymore. That's okay. You chased me for three years; now it's my turn to chase you."
Fyren didn't know how to respond.
Eliza smiled—a bittersweet expression that twisted Fyren's heart.
"Starting today, you'll see a new me."
She glanced at the documents in her hand. "Consider this money a loan. I'll pay you back once I'm profitable."
Suddenly, Eliza stepped closer and pecked Fyren on the lips before blushing furiously. "I'm leaving now. You... you just... I'll contact you."
Fyren remained frozen long after Eliza had gone.
Fyren sat in his chair like a frostbitten eggplant, motionless for what felt like ages.
When he finally emerged, Chloe at the doorway immediately stood up, watching him nervously.
Fyren froze, then hurriedly said, "Ah, about earlier... that was my fault. I shouldn't have yelled at you guys."
Chloe rushed to respond, "No, I'm sorry, Fyren! Please forgive me! It was my mistake—I shouldn't have let anyone in without permission."
Fyren patted her shoulder. "Don't be silly. I just lost my temper. Eliza basically owns the place when she comes to Dasheng Group—she outranks even me. How could you possibly stop her? Don't overthink it. Take the day off—go home and relax."
"No no no, I'm fine! I can keep working."
"Then stop crying. Tears don't suit you." Fyren smiled.
Seeing his smile, Chloe immediately brightened. "It won't happen again."
Just then, Zaring entered nervously. "Fyren..."
Fyren looked at him. "What is it?"
Zaring forced a grin. "Xena's here to see you."
"Xena?"
"Yeah." Zaring spoke rapidly, "I tried to stop her but she started yelling at me. I didn't back down this time! She even threatened to humiliate you when she sees you. Following your supreme directive, I showed her zero respect, and now she's absolutely furious—"
Fyren's mouth twitched.
Karma's a bitch!
I yelled at Zaring, scared the kid shitless, and now he's gone and pissed off Xena—that little dark lolita—just to keep his job.
Fyren sighed wearily. "Next time Xena comes, you'd better show her proper respect. Understood?"
"Understood."
Zaring nearly cried with relief. Since Fyren said "next time," it meant he got to keep his job.
Thank god! I'm still a lapdog! Woohoo!
Fyren hurried to the lounge, where he found Xena fuming, her chest heaving with anger.
He immediately put on a smile. "Lady Xena graces us with her presence! Fyren begs forgiveness for failing to welcome you properly!"
Xena stood abruptly. "Fyren, you've got some nerve!"
Fyren kept smiling. "No no no, please! Something came up earlier—I scolded Zaring, the poor kid got scared, and that's why he offended you. My sincerest apologies!"
"Answer me this: why did you suddenly invest in that shantytown renovation project?"
Fyren yelped, "I—I just felt like it!"
"You're sure it'll turn a profit?"
"I'm sure it'll lose money."
Xena's eyes widened. "Then why are you and Eliza both investing? What scheme are you two cooking up?"
Fyren sighed internally.
Otto... just shoot me already. I don't care anymore. I'm so tired.