Chapter 709: 374 He doesn’t even have a chance to be my opponent_3

He was no stranger to sleepless nights. Before marriage, he often spent nights in revelry—not just with Jade Willow—but working overnight, or occasionally indulging in a few rounds of gambling. Yet this time, even though he was exhausted, he simply couldn’t fall asleep.

He could only keep his eyes open, watching the sky slowly change color.

She opened the door quietly, but it still startled him awake.

His eyes were tinged red: "Leaving so early?"

He felt his tone was somewhat questioning, but this unusual state recently really troubled him.

"I’m going to Dad’s company today, the car is waiting downstairs, I’m leaving now."

She walked over to the entrance and changed into her high heels, and it was only then that he noticed how different she looked today. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

A cream-colored dress complemented by a gray cardigan, her shapely calves graced by a pair of nude high heels. Her ankles were slender and alluring, a fine platinum chain with a smooth, lustrous pearl gently swayed between her collarbones, indescribably charming.

This was the first time he’d seen her in a dress other than her wedding gown.

While he was still staring at her, she closed the door and left.

Even her back seemed not to linger in his sight for a second longer.

In this lifetime, those I have loved and those who have loved me, whether they brought me joy or pain, were all meant to guide me.

They enlightened me to the impermanence of life and made me understand the joys and sorrows of this world. Ultimately, the hardest thing to let go of is affection. Knowing everything is emptiness, I still can’t help but longingly look back at that encounter in the mundane world.

Having someone you can’t let go of in your heart, what a heartbreaking happiness that is.

Yes, looking at him, I can’t deceive myself, a heartbreaking happiness.

If only I didn’t love, it wouldn’t matter who flourished beside him. If only I didn’t love, I wouldn’t have committed the sin of jealousy. If only I didn’t love, the steps to leave would be more determined. If...

At the moment the door closed, what Alexander King couldn’t imagine was how Nora Thompson’s mind had already spun a thousand thoughts.

What followed left Alexander King completely stunned.

There was nothing in this world that could leave him so dumbfounded.

His wife, under the pretense of moving back home to care for her father, hadn’t set foot in their house again, not even bothering to come back for her things. Which wasn’t surprising, as she didn’t lack money.

The problem was, she never again used the card he gave her. If he couldn’t see all these signs, he’d be a fool.

There’s a big problem between them, and it surely lies on his end.

It was unlikely she discovered it, as he was a very meticulous person, even admired by his father for it.

If he wanted to keep something secret, it’d be airtight, she wouldn’t know.

If it were because of the acquisition deal that made her unhappy, she could’ve just said so. No need to go this far.

If she asked him, he wouldn’t have been unable to compromise.

While he was still speculating, another piece of news struck him dumb.

His assistant, Henry Brown, rushed in: "Boss, Hayward has just been officially acquired, the news just came in."

"What?"

The document in his hand was slapped onto the table with a ’bang,’ such a thing seemed impossible.

"Abel Chase got off the plane less than two hours ago, we scheduled dinner, just two hours short."

This sudden turn of events had him a bit flustered.

"Guess who signed it?" Henry Brown looked at him meaningfully.

"Isaac Thompson?" That was the most likely, but he couldn’t present better terms than the King Clan. If his offer exceeded that of the King Clan, the operational cost would be too high, a tactic his shrewd father-in-law would never employ.

"It was Nora Thompson. I must admire her genius; she established Isaac Thompson’s new business as a separate subsidiary, persuaded Abel Chase to invest in Hayward, and even named it Hayward International. Though Abel Chase only holds thirty percent of the shares, it preserves his father’s legacy. There’s something you might not know—they once studied together in the United Kingdom many years ago. We won’t be dining with him tonight, he’s likely celebrating with Nora Thompson instead."

Henry Brown smiled wryly.

Alexander King, such an intelligent and perceptive woman was by your side, yet you didn’t cherish her well, perhaps it’s already too late.

,

Hayward was brought in without being devoured, she simply took it in the most appropriate, cost-effective manner.