Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Samantha had taken out the ring box that contained the ring he gave her.

She was going to return it to him at that moment...

Was it a formal rejection because she still had Timothy in her heart?

"Sammy..." Alan did not take the box and spoke in a somewhat obscure voice.

Samantha looked at his expression and knew that he had misunderstood. She could not help but chuckle and said straightforwardly without explaining anything, "You can put it on me when I get back, Alan!"

That sentence alone was enough.

Sure enough, Alan was stunned for a moment and then a smile gradually appeared in his eyes. He raised his hand and took the jewelry box while replying gently, "Alright."

As he said that, he stepped forward abruptly and opened his arms to give Samantha a tight hug.

Samantha's body became a little uneasy out of instinct, but she did not push him away and relaxed soon thereafter.

Alan was a gentleman even when hugging her. After about ten or so seconds, he let go of her and said with a smile, "Have a safe journey."

"I will." Samantha looked reluctantly at Matthew and Alan. "I'm leaving then."

Alan bent down slightly to pick Matthew up. The two of them looked at her and Matthew shouted hesitantly, "Come back soon okay, Mommy!"

"Remember to be a good boy, Matt. I have to go now!"

Samantha waved stiffly at them before forcing herself to turn around and step into the gate.

She feared that she could not bring herself to leave if she dilly-dallied and was a step slower.

The plane took off.

Samantha looked at the clouds outside the window, the scene of which seemed to bring her back to three years ago.

At that time, she left determinedly and never thought of coming back, but life was always unpredictable and things turned out contrary to her wishes.

She could only hope that it was all a false alarm.

If she got things done quickly, she would be able to come back soon and did not have to be away from Matthew anymore. Perhaps…she could even build a new family with Alan.

…

At Capital City, Harmony enthusiastically gave a speech on her latest project in the Barker Foundation's conference room. She believed it would be excellent and had the potential of becoming the company's biggest developmental project.

After finishing her speech, she sat down with a confident expression on her face.

That project could assist people in addition to expanding the Barker Foundation's influence.

Of course, her ultimate goal was to raise her reputation as high as possible.

She promoted that project because she needed enough influence to cement her position in the foundation after she married Timothy and became Mrs. Barker. She wanted to become a woman who could truly be on par with Timothy!

That way, she would always be valued by 'that man' and 'his' side would not get any funny ideas.

After all, 'his' power could not be underestimated.

However, she was also doing it for legitimacy because she valued her reputation. The last thing she wanted was for people to label her unworthy of Timothy even though she had already become Mrs. Barker.

She wanted to use her influence to stop those pesky remarks!

Harmony scanned the crowd and asked, "Any objections?"

Everyone glanced at each other and said nothing.

Harmony could not help but smile. "Since there aren't any objections, this project will be a go!"

As soon as she said that, the door of the conference room was pushed open with a bang.

The first thing everyone saw was a pair of slender, fair legs. They were as beautiful as a work of art.

As one's gaze traveled upward, her body and face became even more stunning. Her beauty was charismatic yet unique, like a forbidden allure that was typical of a goddess. One could only admire her from afar due to her unapproachable nature.

Rochelle walked in and grabbed the nearest chair to sit down. With her legs folded gracefully, she said lazily, "I have objections."

The smile on Harmony's face froze the moment she saw Rochelle walk in.

Rochelle happened to be away that day, which was why Harmony held the meeting in an attempt to act first before explaining everything thereafter. Unbeknownst to her, Rochelle had rushed back at the very last moment!

Harmony wondered which mole tipped Rochelle off.

She calmed her anger, looked at Rochelle, then said, "You didn't even listen to the contents of the meeting, Ms. Tyrell, and you voiced your objection only after we ended the meeting and made a decision. Don't you think this is inappropriate?"

Too many projects have failed to bear fruit under Rochelle's interference during the past few years, and Harmony was already at her patience's end!

"Oh?" Rochelle hooked her lips. "In that case, Ms. Johnson, I'd have to trouble you to put in a bit of extra work and explain it to me again. "

"You!"

How could she possibly repeat it when she needed nearly an hour to give her speech earlier? 'Am I your dog? Do you think I'm supposed to bark when you tell me to?'

Harmony replied indifferently. "The project has already been decided on anyway. If you wish to object, may I remind you to come earlier next time, Ms. Tyrell!"

"It's decided? Who decided it?" Rochelle cocked an eyebrow. She stretched out her beautifully slender fingers and pointed randomly at one shareholder, "You?"

The shareholder shook his head repeatedly. "I didn't say anything."

Rochelle pointed to a second one. "How about you?"

The second shareholder denied it at once. "I haven't voted yet."

The other shareholders also showed that they had not voted yet.

Harmony's face had already turned dark.

Rochelle laughed and mocked enthusiastically, "Seems to me you're the one who decided by yourself? If you alone have the final say, why even bother pretending to hold a meeting!"

Harmony gritted her teeth. "What do you want, Ms. Tyrell?"

Rochelle shrugged her shoulders. "The same old rules. Deciding via a vote."

That group of shareholders was adept at taking advantage of a given situation. They always promised her in front of her, but whenever Rochelle was present, everyone sided immediately with Rochelle.

Harmony knew that they were only doing so because her husband was Jonathan.

Jonathan was the kind who did everything based on Rochelle's mood. He would move to annihilate anyone who dared to make Rochelle unhappy.

They would be lucky if they only lost a bit of money. Many shareholders conveniently went missing for a couple of days or had their homes broken into in the middle of the night and were shot in the head.

Therefore, the group of shareholders did not dare to sing a different tune from Rochelle on top of expressing their unwavering support of her.

Harmony would definitely lose in a vote.

She closed her eyes.

Getting angry was pointless. Rochelle had always centered her actions around pissing Harmony off and making the latter feel ruined.

Harmony forced a smile, "Let's postpone this project for the time being since you disagree. I'll make some more improvements on it."

Her attitude surprised Rochelle.

Harmony had never given in that easily in the past three years. What was going on?

The meeting ended and everyone left.

When Rochelle got up, she heard Harmony calling her, "Ms.. Tyrell, please stay."