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When You Leave, I Miss You Most
NovelShort
Hoàn thành
Clarissa Rockwell, the daughter of Infinity Corporations' CEO, had been married for seven years. She married a man from an ordinary background named Patrick Tanker. The public never understood why. Ho...
Chương (8)
第1章
Clarissa Rockwell, the daughter of Infinity Corporations' CEO, had been married for seven years.
She married a man from an ordinary background named Patrick Tanker. The public never understood why.
However, things changed for her when her Grandpa Darius Rockwell had a heart attack again. Patrick saved him in time. While Darius was seriously ill, Patrick even developed a new medicine to control his bad condition and extend his life.
When Clarissa’s car suddenly got caught in fire and almost exploded, Patrick risked his life to save her. He took care of her for three full months.
Clarissa had always been calm and never believed in love. But because of the things Patrick did, her heart slowly softened.
So she carefully prepared Patrick’s 30th birthday.
That day, she saw something she could never forget. The Patrick whom see knew as a cold and distant person, suddenly confessing his love to her cousin, Victoria Rockwell with passion.
Patrick almost pulled Victoria into his arms. His cold face was filled with obsession. His eyes burned with desire and strong possessiveness as he looked at her.
Clarissa stood frozen outside the room. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Victoria’s crying voice came from inside. “Let go of me. If you really love me even from back then, why did you marry Clarissa instead?”
Patrick grabbed her arm tightly. The veins on his hand stood out.
He looked like he was holding back, then suddenly shouted, “At that time, I owed hundreds of thousands in debt! You were a rich young lady in the entire province and I was worse than a beggar on the street!”
“Vicky, how could I marry you then? How was I supposed to marry you? Should I make you suffer with me, or beg on the streets with me?”
As Patrick spoke, his emotions collapsed. His eyes were full of pain, stabbing deeply into Clarissa’s heart outside the door.
Clarissa remembered when she had just gotten married. She happily introduced Victoria to Patrick. Back then, Patrick was cold even toward Victoria. He seemed to keep a proper distance.
So what was this now? If Patrick truly loved Victoria, why did he marry her?
Clarissa’s head buzzed.
Then she heard Victoria ask, “Then why did you marry Clarissa? Isn’t it because you like her?”
Patrick replied slowly, “If I say I married her because of you, would you believe me?”
He hugged Victoria tightly, his expression obsessed. “She is your cousin. If you left, we would never see each other again. Only by marrying her could I stay close to you.”
“Remember her car explosion three months ago? I planned that. I knew that if Clarissa couldn’t go to the company, you would get the project instead.”
Victoria could no longer hold back her tears.
Patrick gently kissed them away.
Meanwhile, Clarissa felt her heart being stabbed. Her blood seemed to freeze.
Three months ago, she had gone to First Metro for a business trip. Her car suddenly exploded on the way. She was almost disabled and stayed in bed for three months. Exactly because of that, Victoria took over her project.
For three months, Clarissa lay in bed like a useless person. She felt anxious and depressed.
Patrick stayed with her every day. He pushed her outside for fresh air and took care of her daily life.
She was deeply moved. She thought this was Patrick expressing his love for her. But it turned out, he had planned out everything.
How could someone be so cruel? What if she had died in that explosion?
Seven years. Even a dog would grow attached in seven years. Yet, Patrick was so heartless that he even wanted her dead.
Clarissa's mind went blank. She stepped back weakly and took out her phone with trembling hands.
***
Clarissa closed her eyes and called her lawyer. “Lawyer Luca, help me prepare a document. Inform my family. Tell them I want a divorce.”
When Patrick heard this, his face darkened. “Clarissa, are you crazy?”
“You begged me to marry you back then. Now it’s been seven years and you want a divorce? Aren’t you ashamed?”
Clarissa threw her phone onto the table. On the screen was a video of Patrick kissing Victoria.
“Patrick,” she said calmly, “what do you think will happen if this video got released?”
Almost instinctively, Patrick grabbed the phone and deleted the video.
He said coldly, “Risa, listen to me. You misunderstood.”
Seeing his reaction, Clarissa laughed. She laughed until tears fell.
Deep down, she wanted to ask him: 'What kind of misunderstanding when you're clearly trying to kill me?'
But Clarissa said none of it.
Instead, she took out some documents. “I have backups of the video. If you don’t want it leaked, sign the divorce papers.”
Patrick’s face turned pale with anger. He signed fiercely on it. “Fine, Clarissa. Don’t come begging me to get back!”
He then slammed the door and left.
Clarissa looked at his back, her heart in pain. But she would never comfort him again. And she would never regret this.
Her marriage was built on lies from the very beginning. Now, she must end it with her own hands.
第2章
The news of their divorce shocked the entire Rockwell Family. After all, Patrick had saved Clarissa not long ago and the two seemed deeply in love.
Alberta, Clarissa's mother, couldn’t stop herself from persuading them.
“Did you two just have a fight? Couples argue all the time. Why does it have to end in divorce?”
At the dining table, Patrick sat cold-faced and silent.
Meanwhile, Clarissa lowered her eyes and said calmly, “I just suddenly realized we are not suitable for each other.”
Alberta wanted to say more but stopped. Victoria, however, showed a flash of happiness in her eyes, though her face looked worried.
“Clarissa,” she said softly, “don’t act on impulse. You’re already thirty. If you lose your husband, who would want to marry you?”
Clarissa slowly raised her head and saw the hidden malice in Victoria’s eyes.
She smiled and replied with calmness, “Oh, I’m not worried about my next married life. But Victoria, you’re almost thirty too. Why haven’t you found someone to marry yet?”
Before Victoria could react, Patrick suddenly slammed his fork on the table.
“Clarissa!” he said angrily. “This is between us. Don’t take your anger out on Vicky.”
Clarissa clenched her fingers and laughed sarcastically. “Oh, tell me then, when she said the same thing about me, why don’t you stop her?”
Patrick said coldly, “She’s telling the truth. You’re already thirty. Can’t you be more mature? Do you really think stuff like divorce can be brought up so easily?”
Victoria shook her head with discontent. “It's fine Patrick. I spoke carelessly. So, it’s normal for my sister to be angry.”
Patrick comforted her gently, not even sparing Clarissa a glance.
Clarissa already knew Patrick loved Victoria, but his actions her heart still hurt.
She told herself to stay calm. 'Clarissa, just wait thirty days. After the 'cooling-off period', everything will be over.' So, Clarissa insisted on the divorce to continue.
Later, her mother pulled her aside to a quiet place and asked softly, “Risa, if Patrick hadn’t saved you in that explosion, you would have died. Why do you suddenly want a divorce?”
Alberta knew her daughter well. Clarissa truly did fell for Patrick. If nothing serious had happened, she would never ask for a divorce.
Clarissa saw the worry on her mother’s face. She wanted to tell her that Patrick was behind that explosion. That he was secretly having an affair with Victoria.
But her reason overcame emotion. So, Clarissa shook her head. “We’re just not compatible, Mom.”
Alberta sighed helplessly but respected her decision. “Grandpa’s birthday is coming soon. He has always liked Patrick. Don’t let him find out about the divorce.”
Clarissa remembered that her grandpa hadn’t liked Patrick at first. But three years ago, Darius got so frightened during a flight travel and suffered a heart attack. Patrick quickly called the hospital and saved his life.
When Darius became seriously ill, Patrick developed a new medicine to ease his condition. That was why Darius came to value him so much.
Clarissa had already thought this through. In the divorce agreement, she gave her consent so that Patrick got the money he deserved during the thirty days. In return, Patrick had to cooperate and act all normal in front of Grandpa Darius.
There were four days left until Darius’s birthday. So, Clarissa sent Patrick a message, asking him to come back that day.
Patrick replied with one word: [Okay.]
Relieved, Clarissa stayed at the company. But on the day of the banquet, she sent many messages:
[Patrick, where are you?]
Her messages received no reply. Her calls went unanswered.
What Clarissa didn’t expect was that her grandpa had found out about the divorce. He was so angry that he suffered another heart attack on the spot. No medicine helped and he was rushed to the hospital overnight.
Clarissa panicked completely. She kept sending messages:
[Patrick, Grandpa Darius is sick again. Come back soon, would you?]
第3章
After a long while, Patrick finally replied: [The medicine I made for Grandpa is in the cabinet at home. Go look for it.]
Clarissa immediately drove home. But when she arrived, she found that all the medicine was already gone.
At the same time, the doctor sent a critical notice about Darius: [Ms. Rockwell, the patient has fallen into a coma. He is very old. Please be mentally prepared.]
A deep feeling of helplessness rushed over Clarissa. She quickly made a call and the other side answered almost at once.
“Patrick, where are you? The medicine is gone. Grandpa needs you now.”
“Clarissa, I’m abroad. I can’t just come back whenever you ask me!” His cold, emotionless voice felt like a knife cutting into her heart.
Before she could say anything, a familiar female voice came through the phone. “Patty, who are you talking to?”
Clarissa felt as if a hand had tightly gripped her heart, making it hard to breathe.
That was Victoria's voice. So when he said he was abroad, he was actually with her cousin.
Clarissa snapped back to her senses and tried to speak again, but Patrick had already hung up.
Soon after, Clarissa saw a new post on Victoria’s social media: [Some people always laugh at me for not having a boyfriend. Well, now I do.]
Below the text was a photo. In the sunlight, Victoria’s slender hand was tightly held by a man’s muscular hand. On that man’s finger was the wedding ring Clarissa had given Patrick.
Even worse, the location showed a luxury apartment in Alkaid City. Patrick was not abroad at all. He was just making an excuse to avoid coming.
With red eyes, Clarissa called her mother. “Mom, please take care of Grandpa for a bit. I will bring Patrick back.”
After hanging up, she rushed to the apartment immediately. But before she could reach the building, a group of thugs dragged her into a nearby alley.
The leader rubbed his hands while chuckling. “Hey, pretty lady, come have some fun with us!”
“We heard that a young lady from the Rockwells’ would pass by here. Didn’t expect it to be true!”
Clarissa’s pupils shrank. She turned to run, but one of the men grabbed her hair hard.
The pain from her scalp made her scream. She was then thrown heavily to the ground. Her vision spun. She tightly held her phone as the men walked closer to her.
Holding back her fear, Clarissa dialed Patrick’s number. She thought it would take a long time to connect, but surprisingly, he answered quickly.
Her eyes turned red as she said slowly, “Patrick, I’m at Star Apartment. Some thugs were after me. Please come save me!”
There was a long silence on the other end.
After a while, Patrick’s tired voice finally came through, filled with impatience. “Clarissa, I saw you from upstairs. Those people weren't hurting you. Why do you need to put on a show in front of me?”
Clarissa’s heart turned completely cold. She slowly lifted her head and saw him! On the rooftop above, Patrick stood against the wall, watching her suffer.
Beside him, Victoria leaned casually against the wall, smiling as she looked down at Clarissa.
第4章
With a loud bang, Clarissa’s mind went blank. It felt like the world had collapsed.
So Patrick had been watching the whole time. And he truly was with Victoria.
The thugs had been a little worried about being seen. But when they noticed the people above did nothing, they moved closer.
Fear filled Clarissa’s heart. She struggled to her feet and ran backward, but there was only a wall behind her. She was trapped!
She cried out desperately, “Patrick, I’m not acting! I don’t know these people! Please save me!”
The next second, one of the men covered her mouth. Tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t make a sound anymore.
She thought Patrick would react when he saw this. But he only lowered his eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he coldly looked away, turned around and left.
At that moment, Clarissa got dragged away. Her eyes were fixed on his back. Her heart had turned completely cold.
Smack!
One of the men slapped her hard. “Why are you all silent? Go on, shout! Ask for help or something!”
Clarissa screamed in pain. Her pale cheek quickly swelled.
Another man stopped him. “Boss, don’t ruin such a pretty face.”
“Hmph! This woman just doesn’t behave.”
As he spoke, the thug boss tore her clothes. Clarissa struggled with all her strength, but she couldn’t escape.
Her head buzzed. She couldn’t hear anything anymore. Her vision went white. Soon, despair swallowed her completely.
Then suddenly, screams came from a distance.
Patrick grabbed one of the men with his bare hands and punched him hard to the ground. The man couldn’t get up. One by one, the other thug rushed forward.
But Patrick fought calmly. His punches were heavy and precise, knocking the men down until they were bleeding.
When Clarissa saw him, a spark of hope rose in her heart. But the next second, that hope sank.
Patrick walked toward her from above. He bent slightly, lifted her chin and stared coldly into her frightened eyes.
Grinding his teeth, he said, “Clarissa, is this really necessary? Putting on such a show, even hurting yourself like this... I truly admire your efforts.”
He released her with disgust, straightened up and walked away without looking back.
“No… I didn’t… it’s not like that…” Clarissa tried to explain.
But her vision went dark and she eventually lost consciousness completely.
When she woke up, she was in the hospital. The thugs were gone. Clarissa was shocked and terrified. If Patrick hadn’t appeared, she might have died.
Just as she felt a moment of gratitude, Patrick’s deep voice came from the bed behind the curtain. “Vicky, you hired those thugs?”
“What? Are you feeling sorry for her now?" Victoria’s voice was sharp and angry.
Patrick was silent for a few seconds before speaking, “Vicky, I was worried something might happen to you.”
Clarissa had almost been harmed. Yet Patrick was still protecting Victoria. A deep chill spread through Clarissa’s body.
Victoria, however, was in a very good mood. She hugged Patrick and smiled. “Patty, I knew you cared about me the most.”
After Victoria left, Patrick glanced at Clarissa’s bed. A rare trace of guilt appeared on his face.
“Clarissa, I’ll make it up to you.” His voice was uneasy. In the end, he turned and left.
Once he was gone, Clarissa slowly opened her eyes. Pain flickered through them.
Why did he always hurt her most when she just got moved of his actions?
"Patrick, there is nothing left between us." Clarissa swallowed her emotions and made a call to the company. “By today, remove Patrick from the company.”
This time, she would completely erase him from her world with her own hands.
第5章
On the day Patrick was forced to leave the company, Darius woke up from his coma.
Alberta was moved to tears because of that.
“Risa, this time it was all thanks to Patty. If he hadn’t arrived in time, your grandpa might have…” Her eyes turned red, almost tearing up.
Clarissa lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. “Yes. It was thanks to him.”
Then she turned to Patrick. “I want to further develop the medicine you created, so more people with the same illness could be cured.”
“How much money do you want for it? As long as it’s within my ability.”
Patrick was stunned. Clarissa had always taken what she wanted directly.
Since when did she start talking about money so clearly? Was the divorce not a joke after all?
After thinking for a moment, he spoke slowly. “Clarissa, do you want to develop the medicine to help more people, or are you afraid I won’t give it to you?”
Clarissa was silent for a moment. “If you agree, I can help develop it. If you’re worried I’ll steal your credit, we can sign a contract. All profits from the medicine will be yours.”
She only wanted her grandpa to be healed.
Hearing that, anger flashed across Patrick’s face. “Clarissa, is that how you truly see me?”
Clarissa didn’t answer.
Patrick laughed bitterly. “Clarissa, you’ve changed.”
Between the two of them, who had actually changed? Clarissa fell into brief silence.
Patrick turned to leave. Clarissa reached out and stopped him, a cold light flashing in her eyes.
“I already reported what happened last night to the police.”
The air froze instantly.
Patrick looked at her sharply. “I’ll investigate this myself. You don’t need to interfere.”
They parted on bad terms. But Clarissa still investigated in secret.
What she found shocked her. All the surveillance footage she had gathered had been deleted. Even the backups were gone.
The men who hurt her had all gone abroad. But she checked that their finances showed they couldn’t afford to leave the country. What made it worse was that the incident happened in property owned by her own family.
Her face turned cold as she demanded, “Who ordered you to delete the surveillance?”
The manager’s face went pale. “D-director Clarissa… it was Mr. Tanker who told us to.”
Clarissa froze.
Patrick. Why did everything always lead back to him? A trace of sadness passed through her eyes.
Then Victoria’s voice came from behind. “Clarissa, why are you here?”
Clarissa turned around.
Patrick stood beside Victoria like a knight in shining armor. His guarded expression made it seem as if Clarissa might hurt Victoria at any moment.
Victoria deliberately changed into her sweet voice. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could’ve welcomed you.”
Clarissa said calmly, “I ran into some trouble last night. I already called the police.”
She had also asked the hospital to keep all evidence. She was determined to make those people pay.
Victoria’s eyes flashed with panic. Clarissa ignored her, walked past them and left.
***
That night, Victoria sent her a message: [Clarissa, you did this on purpose, didn’t you? But even so, Patty still won’t look at you.]
Clarissa replied: [Victoria, I don’t think I’ve ever wronged you. Why do you want to hurt me?]
Honestly, she didn’t understand where Victoria’s hatred came from.
Victoria sent a voice message: [I should be the one asking you! Why did you steal what belongs to me?]
[I met Patrick first. He loves me. But because of you, I couldn’t be with him.]
Clarissa froze. None of that was her fault!
Before she could reply, another message arrived: [Clarissa, you will regret this.]
Not long after, a company employee called in panic. “Director Clarissa, something terrible has happened!”
“Our pharmacy partner reported us for selling fake medicine. Someone died after taking it. It’s already trending online. Please check immediately!”
第6章
Clarissa’s mind we]nt blank as she felt her world collapsed. She quickly opened her computer and saw that the Rockwell Family was trending online.
Her expression turned cold at once. She immediately ordered people to remove the trending topic. But it was as if someone was working against her. Every time it was taken down, it appeared again shortly after.
At the same time, Clarissa received a video from Patrick. Her eyelid twitched and a bad feeling rose in her heart.
In the video, many reporters surrounded Grandpa Darius’s hospital room. Their microphones almost hit his face.
“Sir Darius, were you aware that a pharmaceutical factory under the Rockwell Group had caused a death?”
Darius’s lips trembled as he tried to speak, but another reporter interrupted.
“Did your company intentionally cause this death? If the problem is confirmed, Ms. Clarissa Rockwell could go to prison.”
Hearing this, Darius became emotional. “Risa would never do such a thing! The investigation isn’t finished yet. Please be careful with your words.”
The reporters continued spreading rumors about Clarissa.
At the end of the video, Darius fell ill again from anger.
Bang.
Clarissa dropped her phone to the ground. Her heart felt ice-cold. Her thoughts were in chaos.
With trembling hands, she picked up her phone and typed: [Patrick, what exactly are you trying to do?]
His reply was immediate: [Clarissa, Vicky is young and doesn’t understand things well. Nothing serious happened that night. It was a small matter. I want you to withdraw the report.]
So in his eyes, what Clarissa went through right now was just a small matter?
Clarissa clenched her fingers, forcing herself to stay calm. [So you intentionally switched the medicine? Do you know someone died because of that?]
He replied: [Clarissa, that has nothing to do with me.]
At that moment, Clarissa hated Patrick deeply.
Her teeth trembled with anger. In the end, she closed her eyes and made the call to withdraw the case.
She thought the situation would calm down. But the next day, things became even worse. Clarissa was taken away by the police for investigation.
She tightly held her phone and called Patrick. “Patrick, I already agreed to withdraw the case. Why aren't you holding the end of your promise?”
Her eyes turned red, almost bleeding with tears.
Patrick’s voice was cold on the other end. “I told the reporters to leave. That doesn’t mean I’m helping you solve your problems.”
Clarissa felt it was absurd. Before she could say anything more, the call was already disconnected.
Soon after, she was taken away for questioning. The company fell into chaos and endless rumors. Clarissa was cursed and blamed by countless people. On the street, people threw vegetable leaves and eggs at her.
During the many days of investigation, she was constantly insulted and barely given food.
When Clarissa angrily questioned them, someone replied with a malicious smile, “Director Clarissa, you offended someone you shouldn’t have. Ms. Rockwell told us to take special care of you.”
Ms. Rockwell? Almost instantly, one name came to her mind. Victoria.
When Clarissa was starving, Victoria appeared, shaking a lunch box in front of her.
She smiled sweetly. “Sister, if you crawl under my legs, I’ll give you food.”
The smell of food made Clarissa’s stomach ache. She rushed forward desperately—but Victoria stepped aside easily.
Clarissa fell to the ground helplessly.
Victoria smiled, her eyes full of cruelty and lifted Clarissa’s chin. “Clarissa, do you know who caused all of this?”
She played a recording. Patrick’s voice came from the phone: [Let her stay in there for a while. It’ll teach her a lesson.]
Victoria smiled even more. “It was Patty. If you hadn’t called the police, you wouldn’t be in this situation. I really pity you.”
Clarissa’s face turned pale. She nearly fainted. Her nails dug into her palms until they bled.
So this was how much Patrick hated her.
Victoria looked down at her and threw her chin away coldly. “Clarissa, don’t even think that you can get out of this mess...”
第7章
Just when Clarissa thought she would never get out, a police officer suddenly told she was being released.
That day, Patrick came to pick her up in person. His eyes were filled with mix of emotions. “Risa, you’ve suffered enough.”
Victoria spoke in a mocking tone. “Clarissa, you’re really lucky. You even managed to get out this quick.”
Patrick even cooked for several days himself. “Risa, you’ve lost a lot of weight. Eat more and take care of your body.”
But the smell of the food made Clarissa feel sick. Her stomach churned. She suddenly pushed his hand away. The chicken soup spilled all over the floor.
Patrick’s face darkened instantly. He grabbed her wrist tightly and shouted, “Clarissa, just because you're the director of Infinite Corps, you think that you still have it all after the scandal?"
He continued, "Right now, you’re worse than a dog on the street.”
Clarissa sneered and slapped him across the face. “Get lost. Don’t show up in front of me again.”
His expression turned even colder. “Vicky was right. Someone like you doesn’t deserve kindness.”
As he spoke, he picked up a piece of chicken from the floor and shoved it into her mouth.
Clarissa struggled and tried to spit it out, but he covered her mouth and forced her to swallow.
“Eat it. Didn’t you crawl for food before? Why are you pretending you don't want to eat now?”
Clarissa froze completely.
Patrick stood up and looked down at her. “Clarissa, the Rockwells is no longer what it used to be. You can’t do things as you pleased now.”
He added, “And the Grandpa Darius you love so much… he won’t be around for long.”
Clarissa’s heart tightened. She grabbed him suddenly. “Patrick, what do you mean?”
Patrick smiled coldly. “Guess.”
Soon after, Clarissa learned the truth from her mother. Grandpa had confessed and taken the blame so Clarissa could be released.
In the video, his cloudy eyes were full of sorrow. His voice was firm despite his weakening state.
“It was me who switched the medicine for my own reasons. It has nothing to do with Clarissa.”
He had even recorded a message for her in advance.
“Risa, I know you didn’t do this. But someone had to take responsibility. I’m already old. If I die, I die. The Rockwell Group will still need you.”
Clarissa’s throat tightened. Her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. She burst into tears.
Because of this incident, one person had died. Many others who took the fake medicine might suffer nerve damage. And to save her, Grandpa Darius was sentenced to death.
Today was the day of the execution.
But this wasn’t right. None of this was her grandpa’s fault.
Clarissa stumbled forward, trying to stop it. “Let me go! Grandpa Darius was framed! The real culprit is Patrick!”
But they treated her like a madwoman. Their eyes showed pity.
“Ms. Rockwell, please leave. This is not a place you’re allowed to enter.”
Clarissa knelt down, holding back tears. “I’m begging you. Give me time. I will find the truth.”
They were unmoved. As she begged, a gunshot echoed in the air.
A cold voice followed. “Ms. Rockwell, the sentence has been carried out. Please leave.”
Clarissa’s pupils shook violently. Her heart shattered. “No!!!”
She tried to rush forward, but was firmly restrained. She could only watch as Grandpa Darius’s body was carried out.
She hated herself. Why did she bring Patrick into the Rockwells? Why did she let him enter her company? Why did she trust him with the family and the shares?
At that moment, the person she hated most was herself. In the end, Clarissa fainted from shock and anger.
After waking up, she didn’t even have time to grieve. Company projects began to fail one after another. Lawsuits and compensation claims followed.
Seeing the situation worsen, shareholders withdrew their investments. Employees resigned one after another.
The Rockwell Group collapsed overnight like a fallen buildings on earthquake. Clarissa lost tens of billions, but it was still not enough.
In the end, she couldn’t even pay salaries. Countless employees filed complaints and lawsuits.
During the day, Clarissa faced endless insults and accusations. At home, she forced herself to smile in front of her parents. But deep down, she knew, The Rockwell Group was about to fall completely.
At the same time, Patrick sent her a message: [As long as you lower your head and apologize to Vicky, I’ll help you solve all of this.]
第8章
Clarissa didn’t reply to him. Instead, she blocked Patrick's number for good.
While the larger Rockwell Family was drowning in trouble, Victoria’s side of family remained well. They had run away at the first sign of danger. Recently, they even bought a large villa.
Clarissa stared at her phone blankly.
The next second, she received a message from Victoria: [Clarissa, look! This is the villa Ricky just bought.]
[I heard he’s working with the Larisson Family now.
He’s a powerful figure these days.]
Clarissa suddenly understood.
She thought of all the recent problems at her company. Those failed projects had all been handled by Patrick before. She had wanted to cut ties with Patrick as soon as possible and remove him completely from the Rockwell Group. But she never expected him to strike through the projects he once controlled.
What shocked Clarissa even more was that the Larisson Family had always been the Rockwells’ sworn enemies. Patrick knew this very well. Yet he still chose to cooperate with them.
When the Rockwells were at their lowest point, he even joined others to divide the Rockwell Group completely.
Clarissa’s fingers turned white.
She couldn’t stop thinking, Does Patrick have any conscience at all?
It was Christmas. Laughter and joy filled the streets outside. The sounds drifted through the window to Clarissa’s ears.
She stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching everything with empty eyes. Perhaps moved by the scene, she went downstairs and walked aimlessly along the street.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated. Victoria had posted another update.
In the photo, Patrick was wearing the wedding ring he once shared with Clarissa, holding Victoria’s hand tightly in the snow.
Clarissa stared at the picture.
Snow fell softly as the two of them smiled at each other. Their bright smiles pierced her heart.
She told herself many times, “Clarissa, this is the man you once chose.”
There were only three days left. She had planned to drag Patrick down. But now, the one with nowhere to go was her.
The Rockwell Family mansion had been mortgaged and sold. The buyer was Patrick himself.
After doing so many unforgivable things, he still spoke to her gently, “Clarissa, I bought your family’s house. As long as you behave, you can still live there.”
His rare softness made her feel colder than ever.
She dug her nails into her palm.
Three days. In three days, she would leave with her parents and never come back.
On the first day, Clarissa packed her belongings. She auctioned off valuables and used the money to pay her employees’ wages.
On the second day, she auctioned her wedding dress and wedding ring. She had chosen that ring because of its name: Eternal Love.
She once hoped her marriage with Patrick would be the same. But now she sold it.
The ring was sold quickly. But Patrick bought it back.
He threw the ring in front of her and demanded, “Why did you sell our ring?”