Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 122

Chapter 3 Emily snickered from behind Jason.

"Caroline, where do you get the nerve to say that? You did wrong, so be a good girl and get out!"

Smack!

I slapped Emily hard across the face. I'd been holding back for so long, my strength far surpassed hers.

"Oh? Consider this slap a return gift!" I said, watching as a bright red handprint bloomed on her cheek and her face froze in shock.

"I will find evidence for this. I, Caroline, have a clear conscience -someone here knows the truth about who leaked that information. If this place doesn't want me, then there are plenty of places that will. Next time we meet, I won't be so polite." With that, I turned and left, not noticing Jason's intense gaze following my back.

Back in my office, I packed up my things and stepped into the elevator. As the doors opened, a tall, elegant man with an aura that practically glowed walked out. He had a stunningly handsome face, pale skin, and high cheekbones, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses that obscured the sharp glint in his peach- blossom eyes- a mix of sophistication and charm.

But he didn't interest me. He was Callan Morgan, a childhood rival of Jason from the Seattle elite circle and his fiercest competitor in business. His enterprises spanned everything from restaurants to real estate and jewelry, and his tactics were far more ruthless than Jason's. What was he doing here today?

Curious, I briefly considered how I'd just seen Jason's true colors.

No marriage meant I could treat those five years as if I'd merely enjoyed a hired lover.

Callan blocked my path, staring at me and my suitcase with a hint of provocation in his gaze. "Caroline, got fired, did you?"

During my secret relationship with Jason, I'd dismissed other men, even though Callan had once shown an interest in me. Now I thought about how I'd catered to Jason's every whim, treating him sincerely. To hell with that! Who couldn't be rich if they wanted? I was just choosing to be, finally.

Leaving Parker, I moved into my own 500-square-meter penthouse, no longer needing to play the role of the poor, innocent girl. I planned to find the real culprit behind the project leak, then head back to New York to see my father.

Howard Group is New York's largest bank, with branches abroad, and it's just one of my family's holdings. When I returned from studying in the UK five years ago, my father had wanted me to take over. But I was head-over-heels for that scumbag Jason and hid my identity. Not anymore.

I dialed a number. "Nico."

"... Yes, I need to know who leaked the project plan, no matter what."

A mischievous chuckle echoed from the other end.

"Long time no see, and the first thing you ask is for help, huh?

Miss Howard, are you done playing poor?"

I rolled my eyes. "Money's already in your account. Move fast; I'm only giving you two days."

I hung up. When my best friend Jasmine called and asked me out, I remembered I still had belongings at the Moon Villa, the little hideaway Jasomand I used. No need to leave

any parting gifts for that jerkave

Every time we argued over the past five years, he'd disappear overnight, punishing me with cold silence. And every time, I'd be the one to bow my head first. I'd had enough of this charade. By the time I arrived at Moon Villa, it was already 10 p.m. I stood outside, looking at the dark windows. Just as I expected, he hadn't changed one bit, waiting for me to make the first move.

I chuckled bitterly. Five years of genuine love, wasted on someone so undeserving. From now on, I'd live for myself.

Finding movers at this hour was tough, but after offering five times the rate, someone agreed. Moon Villa was in the distant suburbs, a place Jason had once said would keep us secluded. Ha!

It was just an excuse because he couldn't afford a villa in New York. Al the Parker family wealth and power were in the hands of his uncles- he was nothing more than a puppet.