At the End of the Road, We’re Strangers

To experience ordinary life, I concealed my identity as the leader of the internationally renowned assassin organization Night Rose.

In my first year of internship at the Grant Corporation, I was promoted to Chief Secretary by the company’s crown prince, Adrian Grant.

For three years, Adrian acted as both boyfriend and boss, doting on me recklessly.

But he never once took me back to the Grant estate to meet his family.

I later discovered that his family simply looked down on me.

After all, the Grants were a powerful underworld dynasty,

and in their eyes, I was nothing more than a fresh college graduate.

Concerned about the talk that might arise from our disparity, I planned to reveal my true identity to him.

But Adrian suddenly began to disappear.

Until his ninety-ninth night out,

I stumbled upon a half-finished wedding plan in his studies.

The bride was the daughter of the Banks family in Southport, and the groom was Adrian Grant himself. It turned out he had already accepted the arranged marriage while claiming to love me.

So, I made a choice of my own, without telling him.

I slipped on the blood-red ring that symbolized the Red Rose once more.

Since his heart already belonged to someone else, it was time for me to leave.

——

On the other end of the phone, the organization’s deputy spoke respectfully:

“Captain, when will you be back? Headquarters is overwhelmed, and several branches are awaiting your instructions.”

Thinking of my boyfriend, he cautiously added:

“What about the president of Grant Corporation? Do you want us to send someone to protect him? You haven’t revealed your identity to him yet, have you?”

“No… I’ll break up with him.”

When I mentioned Adrian Grant, my voice was as cold as ice. “I’ll handle everything here within three days.”

That night, Adrian didn’t return to the company’s penthouse, but I didn’t care in the least.

The next day at work, I went straight to the Human Resources Department to submit my resignation.

After finishing the paperwork, I treated a fellow intern, with whom I was close, to dinner. Knowing I was leaving, someone joked, “Zara, you resigned so suddenly. You’re not really going home to inherit a multi-billion-dollar fortune like in those TV dramas, are you?”

I smiled faintly. “More or less. I do have some family matters to attend to.”

Everyone froze for a second, then burst into laughter.

They assumed I was joking and didn’t take it seriously.

I laughed along with them, offering no further explanation.

After dinner, I dragged my suitcase back to the apartment.

When I opened the door, Adrian was actually home.

Seeing me enter with my suitcase, he frowned, puzzled, and asked, “Are you going on a business trip?”

I didn’t bother making excuses. I nodded casually and dragged my suitcase toward the bedroom. “Wait a minute.”

He quickly stepped in front of me. “Didn’t you say you loved your internship at the company and how fulfilling every day was? Why are you suddenly going on a long trip?”

I looked up into his eyes, a faint smile playing at my lips. “Because there’s something more important waiting for me.”

“What is it?”

“Trade secrets.”

Hearing that, Adrian thought I was joking again and smiled indulgently.

“When did my little intern become so mysterious? You’ve worked so hard—you deserve a good rest.”

“Zara, you know, even if you don’t work, I can definitely support you.”

“I don’t need anyone to support me!” I replied coldly. “I’ve never been anyone’s vassal.”

Adrian froze for a moment, then tried to explain.