Chapter 3

I stared into Annie's eyes, a bit dazed, and before I could speak, she scoffed, "Since you've already quit, squat outside. I don't want tomorrow's news reporting someone died in my company."

Words that cut deep came from her beautiful lips.

I lowered my head and remained silent.

Annie's vision was restored, and her attitude towards me was the same as before her blindness.

Back then, she often said, "You're really annoying, stop following me around like a beggar."

Only now did I realize she never fell for me. It was just that after losing her sight, I was the only one left by her side.

I ignored her but noticed Lucas walking towards us.

Lucas put his arm around Annie's waist, whispering sweetly in her ear, "The reporters are gone, let's go see how the office is set up."

He turned to see me, perhaps feeling awkward about the lie he had just told, his eyes flickering with a hint of guilt.

I didn't care about the lie since Annie didn't call him out.

I looked up at them, smiling warmly, "Your wedding was dreamy, beautiful. I wish you happiness."

The wedding was beautiful, just not the way I would have liked it.

Annie stared straight into my eyes, unresponsive even when Lucas called her name.

She still wore the ring Lucas gave her on her hand. I lowered my head again, sitting silently, no longer looking at her.

Lucas spoke softly once more. "Annie, let's go. The strong light isn't good for your eyes. Let's head upstairs."

After an unknown time, Annie's indifferent voice finally came. "Stephen, you'll regret this."

By the time I looked up in confusion, all I saw were the backs of Annie and Lucas.

The scene reminded me of their past relationship.

Others could express their blessings, but I couldn't because Annie hated me. Any blessing from me seemed like sarcasm to her.

"But what would I regret? I wouldn't regret anything. I've done what I should."

As soon as Annie left, the security guards came over to shoo me away, probably under her orders.

Luckily, the reporters were gone. Otherwise, I might have embarrassed myself in front of so many people today.

My phone suddenly rang.

I picked it up, and a familiar voice came through the line.

"Come out. I'm at the gate," she said briskly, very much in line with her image in my heart.

After a moment's hesitation, I took my belongings and walked out.

In the car, I ate the chocolate she handed me, taking a while to recover.

"You took such good care of Annie. Why don't you know how to take care of yourself?"

Eleanor Roberts seemed to mock me, yet her words revealed her concern.

Eleanor's look of frustration made me chuckle.

Before Annie lost her sight, Eleanor, like her other friends, looked down on me, thinking I was always spying on Annie, preventing them from having fun.

But after a big fight with Annie, they never contacted each other again.

During the two years Annie was blind, Eleanor expanded her family's business empire, taking over industries that once belonged to the Crawford Group.

Even though my relationship with Annie was over, when Eleanor was so friendly towards me, I felt like I was betraying Annie.

Eleanor stretched in her seat, lazily telling me, "There's a charity gala in a few days. You're coming with me."

I turned to the window, watching the scenery pass by. "What would I do at a gala like that? If you're trying to make Annie jealous, there's no need. She's married now."

Eleanor leaned close to my face, pouting like a child, "Is that so? But I heard they only had a wedding, not a marriage certificate yet?"

She was so close I could feel her breath.

I ignored Eleanor, knowing she wasn't asking for my opinion. She was commanding me.

At that moment, Annie's voice echoed in my mind. "Stephen? How could I possibly like him? Stop joking around."