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543words
After gala,rubbing my aching temples,I regretted drinking so much.
So much that I recalled such distant memories.
As usual,I stayed to oversee cleanup,handing generous bonuses to staff working late.
From the second floor,I watched as employees bustled below.
A cold hand slipped onto my shoulder.
Turning,it was Henry.
His face was odd,clutching a champagne flute so hard that his knuckles were white.
He tried suppressing his breathing,but his voice betrayed regret and pain.
"I heard those years were tough for you."
My five years weren't just"tough."
At 18,persuaded by Henry,I stayed.
My parents,furious,thought I was competing with Lily.They targeted me.
The Carters,because of Henry's loyalty to me,supported me,helping me finish high school and college.
On my senior year,I earned a scholarship to an Ivy League school for the extracurricular activities I excelled at.
Henry,short on academics,barely got in the same school.
In college,he lost to me constantly.
I was student body president,winning competitions,and giving speeches endlessly.
Henry only shone in piano contests.
But this time,he grew resentful.
Blinded by love,I didn't see that he had changed.His elopement caught me off guard.
When Henry left,the Carters turned on me,blaming me for not keeping an eye on him.
Their had huge influence,spreading lies that ruined my reputation.
Meanwhile,I faced my parents'verbal assaults.
Everyone blamed me.
I was the only one who knew that I was innocent.
Why should I accept this?
I refused!
I survived their attacks.Two years later,Lily's absence weakened her influence.
Dad was the first to change.Knewing his company was doomed,he transferred all funds to me,living modestly himself with debts.
Born to excel,I multiplied that money tenfold in two years,which in the end was more than enough to save Bennett Enterprises.
But I didb’t act immediately,I waited.
Lily suddenly contacted them,her influence as the female lead returning.Dad demanded I hand over everything and leave.
But the money was already mine.I wasn't their pawn anymore.
Sipping tea,I said:"Business is business.I'll cover the losses,but to give you all my money?No way."
Mom was livid,Dad too.
He raised his hand,but the guards I hired stopped him.
We signed an agreement, disowning me from the Bennett familt.Sophia Bennett was no longer their daughter.
The Carters did worse.As I built my company,they were already targeted.I suppressed them,acquiring subsidiaries and my company expanded.
Five years,from pariah to the celebrated business tycoon Ms.Bennett.
How could"tough"cover that?
Too tired to waste my words on him,I cut to the chase:"Say what you want.My time's worth more than yours."
No exaggeration—consulting me on stocks starts at a million for five minutes now.
He flushed,annoyed:"You're harsh now."
I raised a brow and didn’t comment.
He looked up,eyes sparkling:"I'm sorry.Five years ago,I owed you a wedding.Let me make it up now."
He knelt in front of me,about to propose.
I kicked his right leg.In my gala gown and high heels,the pain had him dropped to both knees.
Perfect.
Henry gasped in pain,glaring:"Sophia!What are you doing?"
"Apologize properly."
Something held him back,or he'd be cursing now.
I knew why but just tilted my head,waiting.
"I'm sorry.I've truly changed."
"I love you."
So sincere,so well an act.
But kneeling,it looked absurd.
"Sophia,if you'll let me have the honor,let's marry again.I won't run awaythis time!"
