Eight years after being exiled to the Frontier Region,
I returned with performance results strong enough to shake the entire Group—summoned by a single transfer order.
Harold Swanson beamed with praise: "Alex is a true contributor to the Swanson family!"
Then with a grand wave of his hand, he announced how he would reward my efforts:
"Stella just joined the Group, so you'll be her secretary! With the sisters working together, you'll create new achievements again!"
I nodded.
Under all kinds of gazes, I sat down in the small partition inside the CEO's office.
My childhood sweetheart Daniel James looked surprised: "I thought you'd be like eight years ago and blow the roof off the boardroom."
I didn't explain.
My battlefield had long since moved beyond that tiny patch of ground they could see.
——
Compared to Harold's appreciation, Margaret Swanson and Stella Swanson wore identical masks of awkwardness.
Not enough warmth. More than enough politeness.
"It's good you're back. Mom and Dad have always been thinking about you!" Margaret's eyes turned red on cue.
"Yeah? Thinking about me so much you didn't make a single overseas call in eight years?"
My words sliced through the fake atmosphere.
They couldn't possibly think I'd still bow and scrape after all this time.
"Alex! How can you say that?" Stella stepped forward and clung to Margaret's arm—half defending her, half flaunting their closeness.
"Mom specially prepared steamed sea bass. Your favorite. Let's have a proper family dinner."
Sea bass?
When I was little, I once ate it by mistake and had an allergic reaction—vomiting, diarrhea, nearly died.
Margaret was so frantic she ran right out of one high heel and carried me barefoot into the emergency room.
Look at that. She found a new daughter.
Naturally, she doesn't remember these little things anymore.
"No. I still have to finalize a contract with President Song."
"It's a family dinner—enjoy yourselves!"
The moment the words left my mouth, smug delight flickered across Stella's face.
How funny.
Eight years, and she still only knows how to play these petty tricks.
"Alex! What kind of attitude is this! Your mother slaved away all afternoon cooking just to welcome you back!"
"What contract has to be finalized at a time like this!"
"You really—"
Harold's face darkened.
"Mr. Swanson." My icy address cut him off.
"This meeting was scheduled half a month ago. It'll probably bring in this much." I held up five fingers.
"I don't think a welcome-back dinner is worth five hundred million."
His face went white, then red. All his anger died in his throat.
The atmosphere dropped to freezing.
I forced a smile.
"Then I won't disturb your family evening. I'll go prepare the contract."
No matter what their expressions were, I turned and left.
I couldn't help lighting a cigarette.
Sure enough—seeing this group of people again, my heart wasn't as calm as I'd imagined.
"These eight years, you've changed a lot." Daniel's voice made me pause.
"Chasing after me like this—aren't you afraid Miss Swanson will throw a fit?" I glanced at Stella craning her neck to watch us, then deliberately leaned in and blew smoke into Daniel's face.
Stella's expression twisted with jealousy.
Daniel didn't spare her half a glance. He snatched the cigarette from my hand and crushed it out.
"This stuff is bad for you. You forced me to quit."
"But you started smoking yourself?"
"These eight years—have you been taking care of yourself?"
I listened to his tone—somewhere between concerned friend and spurned lover.
The corner of my mouth curved with mockery.
"Mr. James, what exactly do you mean by that?"
