I let out a cold laugh.
“Really? Go ahead and try.”
From the day I was born, I’d never heard of the Foster Group’s legal team losing a case.
As I walked away, I quickly told my assistant to dig into Chloe’s background.
Turns out, she was a junior back when I was in grad school.
I had once caught her cheating during an exam I was invigilating.
Even before that, I had heard of her —
she came from a well-off family, flaunted luxury brands,
yet kept applying for scholarship spots meant for poor students.
One of the students she pushed out of a scholarship was someone I knew —
a girl so poor she lived on five dollars a day.
Not only did she lose her scholarship,
Chloe also led others to bully her until she developed severe depression.
I never hesitated with people like her.
She was stripped of her scholarship and couldn’t graduate with her degree.
Afterward, she tried to make trouble for me a few times,
but my parents had me too well-protected.
She never succeeded.
Years passed, and I had nearly forgotten she even existed.
“Did you find which European publisher Chloe works for?
Is it one of Foster Group’s subsidiaries?”
My assistant hesitated.
“Actually… it belongs to the Ford family.
Technically, it’s under Jason Ford’s name.”
I rubbed my temples.
The Fords and the Fosters had been family friends for years.
Jason and I were even engaged as kids —
but when I came of age, I broke off the engagement.
I couldn’t stand how he partied too much and acted like a spoiled playboy.
He was furious that day — not because his heart was broken,
but because I had humiliated his pride.
“Lena, mark my words — one day you’ll beg me for help!”
And now… I really had to ask him for help.
I dialed the phone, mentally preparing my excuses.
But when Jason’s deep, magnetic voice came through the line,
I froze.
“Lena, I saw what happened. Are you okay?”
I had expected him to mock me like the other rich heirs would.
After all, we had what could be called “deep grudges.”
“How are you feeling? Are you holding up?”
I hadn’t expected his concern.
For a moment, I couldn’t even speak.
He grew more anxious.
“Damn it. I’m in the States right now, I can’t fly back immediately.
Don’t do anything rash — I already sent my assistant to find you.
Tell them whatever you need.”
“And I found out everything about that publisher.
I’ll have that woman fired today.”
For the first time since this mess began, my nose stung and my eyes watered.
No matter how strong I acted,
being publicly humiliated and shamed still hurt.
Slut-shaming was like a spear that stabbed deeper every time someone mentioned it.
Jason heard my soft sob and fell silent for a long time.
“Lena.”
“Let’s get married.”
“What?”
I thought I misheard.
“Jason Ford, are you out of your mind?”
“I’m serious. You’re in the middle of a storm.
And honestly… my reputation isn’t that great either.”
I might not care about my reputation,
but other people did — especially men.
Jason’s amused laugh came through the phone.
“Perfect, then.
I’ve been called a playboy in the social scene for years — we’re a match made in heaven.”
