Departing the court, press members swarmed Mary, their relentless inquisitions striving to extract information. Several were milking the scandal for all it was worth, satirically picking at her misery.
Her image, elegantly attired in a luxurious suit and black sunglasses, standing with her defense attorney amid the crowd, was broadcast far and wide across both public and private channels to the immense satisfaction of Agnes.
Agnes relished the scene, perched on a large sofa, crossing her legs. She intentionally jabbed her fork forcefully into an apple slice, savoring its crispness between her teeth, her lips curling into a contented smile. At last, Mary had been conquered, her lonely and weakened state satisfying Agnes’s vengeful delight.
Upon Andrew’s arrival, Agnes flung the door open and beckoned him in a coy manner, drawing him close as they sat together on the sofa.
“See the news this morning? Their household is finally facing its downfall. It serves her right for her arrogant, pitying demeanor.”
Andrew’s eyes, fixed on the screen, emitted a cold, hateful laugh. His eyes reflected a loathing akin to an unyielding grudge.
“As you sow, so shall you reap.”
This time, he had truly avenged the grudge he’d harbored for over a decade, which was liberating. Yet, he was unaware that their story was far from over and that many unexpected twists and turns were awaiting them in the future.
Agnes, hearing his words, felt a jolt of uncertainty. She scrutinized his demeanor, noticing his indifference and feeling a bit disheartened. She nestled her face into his chest, seeking comfort.
“Tell me. We will be happy in the future, right?”
When he didn’t answer, she lightly punched his chest, causing him to glance down at her sullen face. Coldly, he replied, “Of course. Only the wrongdoers are punished by the divine.”
He rose, moving to his study to work on his computer, leaving his sulking lover behind. His nature had always been selfish, prioritizing personal interests above all else. He refused to do anything that wouldn’t benefit him.
Agnes needed to learn how often he had ignored her during their conversations. Despite their proximity, she always felt a looming sense of him abandoning her. He made many promises when they first met, but over time, their conversations had become brief and their connection more distant.
He was difficult to understand: sweet one moment, indifferent the next, and occasionally mysteriously brooding.
After the court session ended, Mary didn’t head home but visited the publishing house instead. There were still plenty of issues to discuss with Ms. Selina.
As Ms. Selina entered the room, her countenance so forlorn that cheer seemed impossible, she stepped over to the table. Spotting this, Mary immediately asked.
“Have you been in touch with Joy these past few days? How is she doing?”
Ms. Selina contemplated deeply before replying.
“She’s in a terrible state right now. Her entire reputation has been ruined, and the media shows her no mercy. She won’t make any public appearances for a while. She needs some time in seclusion, waiting for things to pass over.”
Mary felt a pang of guilt about this. She had been too naive, too gullible, thus harming Ngọc Trai. Had she not given in to the sweet nothings in a moment of weakness, today’s unfortunate event would not have occurred.
Mary rested her elbows on the table, burying her face in her hands. She did not want anyone to witness her current disheartened state. Suddenly, Ms. Selina’s voice snapped her out of her trance.
“So, how will we handle the contracts we’ve already signed with our partners?”
Mary was struck with the realization that the most terrifying aspect was not the court’s guilty verdict but resolving the fallout from that decision. She couldn’t allow her father’s life-long effort, the company, to go bankrupt. However, banks delisted her and she could not take out any loans. With hardships piling up, she finally grasped the meaning of “being cornered.”
Under the pressure of compensating her partners, she resorted to seeking a loan from dubious sources. Mary scoured social media and reached out to friends, hoping to find a way to alleviate the situation until the appeal could be heard, as there was still a chance to overturn the verdict.
She knew this was a dangerous solution, but it was a time of dire urgency, and she could not afford any delay.
The sum she was about to borrow required her to mortgage the company. Upon hearing the lender’s terms, Mary was brought to tears. She had never envisioned herself falling into such a dire predicament. To mortgage the company was practically the same as declaring bankruptcy.
Biting the bullet, Mary endured, hoping for the day she could turn the tables.
Once the loan agreement was finalized, the man assured her of the fund transfer timeline, adamant there would be no delays.
With the promissory note signed, Mary was about to receive a substantial amount of money, yet she felt a hollow emptiness as if she was on the verge of losing everything. She slowly stepped out under the scorching sun that made everyone uncomfortable, yet she suddenly felt a chilling cold envelop her, a cold borne from fear and desperation.
After Mary had left, the man immediately picked up his phone and called someone. Their conversation indicated a close relationship akin to childhood friends.
This man was impeccably dressed, a striking contrast to Andrew, emanating an aura of sincerity and also seeming a little insincerity. He carefully curbed his words in conversation, uttering just enough to get his point across, not a syllable more, not one less. But a particular trait of his stood out: he only met Mary’s gaze once throughout their exchange, his eyes harboring a flicker of sympathy for the young woman.
No one knew what led him down this path, but it was a road from which there was no return. Every step forward was a commitment, a silent admission that turning back was no longer an option.