Chapter 3

I had called the police while he wasn't paying attention.

The officer asked for a resolution, and I smiled, saying we could settle it privately.

But he had to pay me.

Julian frowned, furious. Without a word, he threw a bank card at my face.

He left with a parting shot: "You really are pathetic," then walked away.

Julian and I met abroad.

We were both studying overseas as teenagers, and coincidentally, we were neighbors.

At that time, we were in the prime of our youth, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl, and there was an instant spark between us.

Once we were together, we became inseparable.

Julian’s words weren’t so harsh back then; he was a gentle, attentive younger man.

I remember once, some guy from my class abroad joked about me.

Julian's face turned menacing when he heard it. He lunged at the guy and beat him senseless.

I couldn’t stop him.

We ended up at the police station that day, too, but his gaze never left me.

His brow furrowed slightly as he held my hand, murmuring cautiously,

"Skylar, I’m sorry. I won’t be so reckless again, okay?"

He loved me so much back then.

He was like a completely different person from the mocking, arrogant man he was now.

But I couldn't blame him.

My family had arranged a strategic alliance for me through marriage, forcing me to break up with him.

So, for his sake and mine, I said cruel things to break up with him and then immediately blocked him on every social media platform.

The very next day, I flew back home.

But I truly didn't know he was the heir to the Thorne empire then.

Otherwise, if I had to marry for alliance anyway, why would I have looked elsewhere?

Now, it was too late to say anything.

I took the bank card to the bank; it held exactly a million dollars.

After paying off my debts, there was still a portion left for my expenses.

Now, I no longer wanted any connection with Julian. At best, he was an ex.

So, I quit my job at the club.

In the following days, I dedicated myself to investigating the truth behind my parents' deaths.

Finally, by piecing together scattered clues, I found a lead.

The clues pointed to one company that had financial dealings with ours before the bankruptcy…

Only Thorne Industries.

Thorne Industries? I stared at the documents on my computer, lost in thought.