“Expin, Jun. What exactly did you do?” Liam was livid. He gred at Jun, demanding an answer.

  That additional 5% share remained unexpined… how could she have acquired it? He had been monitoring the activities of each board member, so there was no way they could have done any exchange without his knowledge unless… the transaction was so small, so insignificant, that it escaped his attention.

  In an instant, the answer became crystal clear. Liam felt he had finally stumbled upon the truth. While 1% might seem negligible, if Jun had intentionally acquired it from every board member over a long period, the accumuted sum would be still substantial. Her calcuted acquisition would give her a significant stake in the company, all while hiding her true agenda.

  Liam’s expression instantly changed.

  Seeing that Liam had figured it out, Jun revealed a knowing smile. As someone capable of sitting in the CEO position, he surely couldn’t be clueless. Her gaze flickered towards her secretary, signaling to her to fetch the documents detailing her shares. Once the secretary disclosed her actual shares, it turned out she owned 18%, not the assumed 13%. The 5% were obtained from the five board members through various means, with each contributing 1%. Moreover, some of these transactions, dating as far back as ten months ago, exposed the scheme as premeditated.

  A chill ran through Liam. Only now did he realise how insidious Jun could be. How long had she had the idea to backstab him like this?

  “Jun, how could you do this to me?!” Liam excimed. “I was your fiancé, dammit! If you love me, why would you plot against me?!” He had assumed the affair was the reason for her vindictive behaviour, but unfortunately, he couldn’t be more wrong. From the beginning, she had meticulously pnned for his downfall.

  As if hearing a funny joke, Jun smirked. Her blue eyes turned cold and sinister, but her tone was eerily nonchant. “If I ever love you, I wouldn’t have let you off so easily after cheating on me with someone else. I would have already castrated you or even taken your life. So, Liam, consider yourself lucky. It could have been far worse.”

  Hearing Jun’s chilling words struck Liam like a lightning bolt, leaving him stunned and utterly shocked. He couldn’t believe his once-so-understanding fiancée had transformed into this cruel, cold-hearted stranger. The change was almost unrecognisable.

  Meanwhile, David, who has been silently observing the tense situation until now, finally decided to speak. With a faint smile, he leaned back as he idly rotated the pen between his fingers. Despite being in his fifties, he possessed an unsettling, almost conniving aura that made him seem younger and more dangerous.

  “Girl, don’t you think you’re being a little too harsh? How about you reconsider your decision? Otherwise, you might regret burning this bridge.” He tried to intimidate Jun with his words, but little did he know it had no effect on her. She had long expected his threat.

  “It’s nothing personal, Mr Cole. Given the millions, if not billions, already invested by my father, it is a fact that our contributions are the major factor to the company’s rapid growth and success. Considering my husband founded the company as well, isn’t it reasonable to consider this company practically ours? As such, I simply decided on a more suitable representative to present the company.”

  Everyone knew Jun was deliberately provoking a reaction from David, yet nobody could say anything to stop her. Her obvious disregard for him showed her intent to cause trouble.

  David turned silent, barely suppressing the anger inside him. Despite the urge to argue, he held back because arguing after the votes were cast would be pointless. He looked at Liam, feeling a surge of disappointment.

  Losing his woman is one thing, but losing his position over a ridiculous excuse was just pathetic.

  In the end, he couldn’t resist giving his remark. “Although you’ve helped him to get the position, are you certain he can remain there? Not everyone deserves to be a CEO. Some should stay where they belong.”

  Jun chuckled. “While I appreciate your advice, I don’t think we need it. After all, my husband…” she gnced at Xavier who gave her a reassuring nod before continuing, “is the founder and chairman of JAX.”

  “With his impressive qualifications and achievements, there’s no doubt he’s more than capable of running the company, don’t you think?”

  In an instant, Jun’s words surprised not only David, but Liam and everyone else as well.

  JAX, although a retively new company, was not to be underestimated. Ever since JAX published their first successful AAA game, it has constantly attracted significant attention from the media and gamers, with many expecting it to become a major pyer in the gaming industry upon the release of its upcoming game. But still, who could have guessed that the elusive founder and chairman, always so secretive and unknown to the public, was actually Xavier?

  “If you want to fabricate a lie, you should at least be able to back it up with evidence. Just your words alone carry no weight. The company’s success is not dependent on a single individual,” David scoffed.

  “Oh, really?” Jun blinked her eyes, a moment of silence before the sound of her ughter filled the air. With a faint smile on her lips, she said, “But you’re absolutely right, Mr Cole. Not everyone has what it takes to be successful.” Then she casually leaned back and called her secretary to distribute the files she had meticulously prepared for everyone.

  “It seems apart from JAX, my husband is also the founder and director of XG Trade, Nova Corp and C Analytics. What an impressive coincidence, isn’t it?” Jun mocked, but it couldn’t disguise the truth in her words.

  All the companies she mentioned were among the top 500 companies in the world. Their influence, wealth and foundation were worth millions more than their little company; they were simply incomparable.

  At this point, no one could deny Xavier’s exceptional capability. His numerous achievements clearly demonstrate that he’s anything but ordinary.

  That’s when it dawned on them—why would someone of his caliber remain at their small company? Could a promise really be the reason for this?

  Either way, they couldn’t decipher his thoughts, but the remaining trace of reluctance was gone. Despite their initial opposition, the board members were ultimately pleased with Xavier assuming the position. In fact, they might even be more supportive of Xavier compared to Liam. After all, Xavier had already proven himself while Liam had not.

  Once the meeting ended, everyone took their leave, leaving only Liam and David behind in the boardroom. With no more prying eyes, Liam smmed his fist on the table. His furious expression couldn’t mask the despair etched on his face. Regardless of his wishes, he was forced to relinquish control over to Xavier and proceed with the handover. At that moment, he felt a deep-seated resentment rising from within him, trying to tear through his body.

  For many years, he had painstakingly built his company, one separated from his father’s influence, to prove himself, and yet Xavier effortlessly took it away from him.

  All because of Jun!

  Liam felt his confidence shatter, like a broken mirror, reflecting a thousand pieces of his failure. He couldn’t accept Jun’s unforgiving retaliation against him, dwelling on the mistake in the past.

  While he was trapped in his grief, David, on the other hand, felt oddly distant. As a father, he knew he should have sympathised with his only son, but the years of endless waiting and cruel reality have long shaped him into someone ruthless, eroding the little affection that he might have for him. In the end, all he could do was to offer his silence and perhaps some compensation for his absence.

  Eventually, Liam calmed down. With a bnk gaze, he watched his father, already puffing deeply on a cigarette, lost in thought. He thought the silence would continue on forever until David suddenly said, “Don’t you want revenge? I can help you, son.”

  “I can help you achieve anything,” David blew a puff of smoke, “as long as you inherit my legacy and take over me.” He spoke as pinly as possible, confident his son would grasp the underlying meaning.

  Liam paused, frowning as words sunk in. The offer was tempting, but he knew his decision would have irreversible consequences. It wasn’t a choice he could make lightly.

  Despite feeling grateful to be reunited with him after all these years, the truth was he could never feel close to him. Although his father kept trying to make amends for him, it couldn’t hide the fact that he was involved in something dangerous and complicated. In fact, had he not insisted on starting his own company, he might have already experienced a future he had foreseen, fraught with endless danger.

  David knew of Liam’s hesitation, but he didn’t push him for an answer. Even if Liam might be somewhat na?ve, as his son, being of his blood, he wouldn’t be foolish. Liam would eventually understand that accepting his choice meant embarking on a treacherous path, filled with ruin, but at least, the wealth and power to be gained would be undeniable.

  Taking revenge on Jun and Xavier would be nothing but effortless.

  David was certain Liam would eventually make the right choice. After all, this was the only way for him to get everything back. Once Liam made his mind, he could focus on training him, grooming him to be the perfect heir to inherit his vast and powerful mafia empire.

  Liam gnced at his father before giving a solemn nod. Even if he loathed the idea of associating with the mafia, this was the best option left.

  Liam closed his eyes, feeling the darkness pulling him into the depths.

  There’s no turning back now.

  …

  On the same day, at night.

  Jun leaned on the balcony railing, looking up at the breathtaking sky, full of stars twinkling like distant diamonds. Driven by habit, she retrieved her cigarette and lit it with practised ease. However, she didn’t smoke, only bringing it close to her lips, watching the hazy smoke dance before her eyes, savouring the familiar scent of tobacco.

  The end was approaching.

  With Liam finally diverting down the other path, her mission was officially completed. He would ultimately achieve success, but he would never be happy and satisfied, forever haunted by regret for the little things he had taken for granted…

  Such as Jun Lee’s devotion towards him.

  With her eyes cast downward, Jun stared at the cigarette, its tip glowing faintly in the cold air as it slowly burned.

  The feeling was like holding a burning matchstick — small, intensely hot, yet fleeting at the same time.

  Giving her the tiny feeling of freedom within her control.

  As long as she held onto the light, the flickering fme would grant her visions of her dreams, bringing both relief and warmth, but she would stay unaware of the impending doom that awaited her when the fire died out in the cold.

  Just like the little matchstick girl.

  Although she became omnipotent, she still couldn’t ignore the suffocating sensation clutching her heart when she realised there was no end to her death.

  No end to these countless, meaningless cycles of life.

  But there was one exception.

  After experiencing months of Xavier’s unwavering affection, she found herself inexplicably drawn to him, even though her initial intention towards him was not pure in the first pce.

  How ironic.

  At some point, Xavier returned to find Jun staring bnkly ahead, her loneliness almost tangible. The sight of her so fragile yet distant pained him.

  It was as if she would wither at any moment.

  To Xavier, Jun was like a beautiful red rose. Someone so breathtakingly captivating and incredibly capable, yet guarded by a wall of thorns keeping everyone from stepping into her world. Even when pierced by her thorns, she would show no pity. So what could he do to get her to notice him?

  Xavier approached Jun and embraced her from behind. He let out a soft sigh before nuzzling her nape, inhaling her familiar scent. Although he couldn’t understand the meaning behind her bleak expression, it didn’t stop him from wanting to share her pain and doubts. He whispered, “Baby, I’m here. You won’t be alone.”

  Startled, Jun snapped out of her daze, the burning cigarette falling from her fingers onto the floor. Just like the stick, lying tragically fallen, extinguished by the chilly wind, the scorching heat on her back was overshadowed by her vulnerability, a vulnerability she felt only towards him. She had unknowingly begun to put down her defenses against him.

  When Jun turned to look at Xavier carefully, the intensity in his gentle eyes, filled with warmth and longing, both thrilled and terrified her. Although no words were exchanged, she could sense the deep affection he held for her — as if he willingly offered her his entire heart.

  However, unlike him, she couldn’t return his affection…

  …because she was someone who must leave.

  Jun lowered her gaze, masking her feelings until a slight smile appeared on her lips. She gently pinched his chin and then id a sweet, lingering kiss. “Yeah, I know. You will be here for me.”

  Xavier held her tightly, his gaze lost in her loveless eyes. He didn’t mind waiting for her forever.

  But he didn’t know this night together would be their st.