Why should I? A week later, my father’s surgery was a complete success. Aaron came to the hospital himself.
He looked thinner, with dark circles under his eyes. He seemed to have worried a lot about my father’s situation.
Carrying a fruit basket, he peeled an apple and casually brought up the past.
“Becca, I’m sorry for what happened back then.”
He handed me the peeled apple, his voice low. “I was too young then, blinded by power.”
“Claire’s father could give me everything I wanted, so I had no choice.”
I looked at him, but didn’t take the apple.
No choice?
I realized he simply chose the fastest and cruelest path. And my family was just a stepping stone on that path.
“Mr. Corbie, you’re too kind.”
I forced a stiff smile. “It’s all in the past.”
He looked at me intently, a hint of regret in his eyes. “I know you hate me.”
“Becca, give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?”
Just then, the hospital room door swung open. Claire walked in, carrying a bowl of chicken soup, followed by several reporters carrying cameras.
Spotting me, she feigned surprise before breaking into a smile.
“Becca, you’re here too. I heard Uncle woke up, so I specially made this soup to bring over.”
She placed the soup by the bedside, then took my arm and said to the cameras,
“Aaron and I have decided to establish a special fund for you, Becca. To help those who, like you, have suffered unjust accusations.”
“Becca is incredibly generous because she forgave us long ago and even wishes us well!”
Flashbulbs went off relentlessly. Claire held me tightly, leaving me unable to move.
My father lay in the hospital bed, watching it all with a blank expression. I couldn’t lose my temper, couldn’t upset him.
All I could do was watch Claire and Aaron perform their touching drama at my father’s bedside. The next day, news flooded every outlet.
[Tycoon Aaron Proves His Loyalty, Invests Massive Funds to Clear Ex-Wife’s Name]
[Ten Years of Waiting: Devoted CEO and Ex-Wife Reconcile.]
In the articles, Aaron was portrayed as a paragon of loyalty and righteousness. And I? I was the woman he had redeemed and magnanimously forgiven.
He used my father’s life as leverage, wielded public opinion as a weapon and nailed me to the victim’s pedestal—a pitiful creature needing his mercy and charity.
That evening, I received a call from Aaron. “Becca, have you seen the news?”
“This is just the first step. I’ll gradually help you return to the public eye.”
My voice firmly said, “My reputation doesn’t need your restoration.”
He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled softly.
“Becca, don’t be stubborn. Your father’s ongoing rehabilitation treatment will require a large sum of money. Can you afford it with your meager salary?”
My heart sank.
“Are you threatening me?”
His voice softened again and said, “I’m helping you.”
“I know you don’t like Claire. I’ll make sure she appears in front of you less often from now on. Be good, okay?”
I hung up the phone, chilled to the bone. With the gentlest tone, Aaron did the cruelest things, keeping me firmly under his control.
Claire’s provocations shifted from the shadows to the open. She began visiting the hospital frequently, always accompanied by reporters, feigning reconciliation with me.
In front of everyone, she affectionately called me, then casually said, “Becca, don’t blame Aaronge. He had no choice back then. After all, your father’s position was too crucial.”
