"What I meant was, how are you supposed to buy me designer dresses and shoes if you do not work harder and earn more money?"Avery had changed into her house slippers, walked over to Elliot, and added, "This is my first time wearing such expensive things.""Poor you," Elliot hissed, then walked into the elevator.Avery held her tongue as she watched the elevator doors close. She wanted to insult his excessively extravagant and wasteful lifestyle.When she entered her room, she took off her gown and walked into the shower.The warm water enveloped her entire body, numbing her senses.Avery arrived at Tate Industries first thing the next morning.At 10 a.m., there was not a seat left empty in the meeting room."Good morning, everyone. My name is Avery Tate. The reason I called for this meeting today is because I was abducted last night," Avery said, then glanced around at the faces in the room."Seriously?! Are you okay, Avery?" Someone exclaimed in shock."I'm fine. I wanted
"Yes, it's been hard," Avery answered. "I don't think it's plausible to introduce a self-driving program to the market right now. Even the most advanced program would not be able to beat the human mind. If I'm not confident in the program, why would the investors be?""Don't be so pessimistic about it. Many people invest in things that they find creative, not just because of practicality. There's a party tonight. Everyone there is an heir of a rich family. Do you want to come with me? You never know, you might just bump into someone who's interested in investing!""Forget it!" Avery scoffed. "I won't get anywhere with a bunch of rich brats. It's the first generation, self-made bigshots that I need.""They'll be there, too! You might as well try your luck," Tammy said as she tried to convince Avery. "I don't want to go either, but my dad's making me. He set up a blind date for me. Just come and give me some moral support, okay?""Fine," Avery said as she gave in.At 7 p.m. that eve
Avery's phone rang ten minutes later.She answered it, hung up, sent Tammy a text, then rushed toward the hotel exit.Jun watched Avery's back as she quickly made her way out. He smiled. How did she find a man to make a fool out of Elliot Foster behind his back? Could she not just stay quietly by his side?Where was she going to find a man who was better than Elliot Foster?Jun had no idea what she was thinking.Tammy's brows furrowed as she replied: [What's the rush? Is it that urgent?]Avery: [Extremely urgent! I'll see you again soon!]The one who had called Avery was Elliot's bodyguard.He had instructed her to wait for him at the hotel entrance.If she did not listen, he was going to break her legs.Avery still suffered from the past traumatic experience with the bodyguard. He was a cruel man.Although she knew that he was acting on Elliot's orders, it was better to be safe than sorry. A black car stopped on the street in front of her about fifteen minutes later.
Perhaps it was because Elliot had not shown favor to many people in his life so far that when he showed the slightest feeling for someone, everyone assumed that he was in love with that person. The kind of love that Avery dreamed of was one of mutual respect and not one where one party held all the control and power in the relationship.When the car arrived at the Foster mansion, the bodyguard got out and walked right up to Elliot."Miss Tate told me in the car that the things she said last night were simply to test out the lie detector," explained the bodyguard, probably in fear of Elliot losing his temper.Avery was taking her time changing into her house slippers at the front door. She was alert, listening in to the conversation. "She even said that she never meant to anger you," added the bodyguard."Does she not have a mouth? Why are you speaking for her?" snapped Elliot.The bodyguard immediately dismissed himself, but not before throwing a threatening glare at Avery, as
Avery wondered if she would be his mistress if that woman was still alive. If she was dead, then was she her replacement?Either way, it made her heart ache and left a bad taste in her mouth.While Avery was lost in thought, Elliot's thoughts also wandered."Tell me, what exactly do you like about Cole?" he asked as he pulled out his cigarette box. His face was the epitome of an enigma. "I don't like him anymore," Avery said coldly.If they had not talked things out earlier, she might have continued to use Cole to anger him.It was childish, but Elliot was always losing his temper over the smallest things.If she did not retaliate, she would lose her mind."Is it because you realized he was nothing but a penniless loser?" Elliot asked as he held the unlit cigarette between his fingers."Is money all you think about?" Avery retorted. "Back when Cole was pursuing me, he would write me love letters every day. On the weekends, he would take me to art galleries and music recital
Why was Elliot asking about art galleries and recitals?What led to his massive change in taste?"Pick something that a woman in her early twenties would like," Elliot said.Chad finally understood where all of this was going."Of course, sir. I'll send you the tickets once they're booked."Elliot was not in his office at Sterling Group the next morning.Ben and Chad seized the opportunity to gossip about their boss. "Mr. Foster might as well have told me straight up that he wanted to take Avery out," Chad said with a chuckle. "I wonder what happened between them. I didn't expect things to progress so quickly. I thought they were getting a divorce!"Ben was analyzing the situation, then said, "I'm guessing they slept together again. Elliot is a stone-cold b*st*rd, but after he slept with Avery, I bet he couldn't control his urges even if he hated her to death.""Chelsea would lose her mind if she found out," said Chad."Don't tell her. She's spent the past few nights getting
The little commotion between Avery and the guard attracted everyone's attention to look toward the door. When Elliot recognized Avery's slender figure, he got up from his seat and said, "What are you doing here?"Avery shook off the bodyguard's grip once again, smoothed her clothes, and walked into the office."I'm here to see Professor Hough," she said, then looked curiously at Elliot and asked, "Are you here to see him, too?"Professor Hough examined the two, then adjusted his glasses, and asked, "Do you two know each other?"Avery was about to tell the professor that they were acquaintances, but Elliot was one step ahead of her. "Professor, please keep the matter we talked about private.""Of course," answered the professor. "It's doctor-patient confidentiality.""I'll be off, then," Elliot said.The professor nodded in response.Elliot turned toward the exit. When he walked past Avery, he glanced at her, but said nothing and walked out.Avery was a little stunned.Why d
Avery did not know whether to laugh or cry."Relax… I was forced into it. When our family was struggling with money, my stepmother married me off for the engagement gifts and cash. I'm still waiting to get a divorce!""What the hell was she thinking?!" Tammy exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? We should go to the police!"Avery reached out to calm her down, then said, "It's not as bad as you think. We're from two completely different worlds, so we should get divorced anytime now."Tammy was still not convinced."Who is he? Tell me… You husband… D*mn it! I still think this is insane!""It is pretty nuts. I'll tell you who he is after we're divorced.""Absolutely not! You need to tell me right now! I'll stand up for you!"Avery knew about Tammy's bad temper all too well.If she found out about Elliot, she would definitely go after him.Her relationship with Elliot was already on the rocks, and Tammy's involvement would just add fuel to the fire."Just focus on looking i