Forsaking the Years of Longing

Chapter 27 Callan looked at me, a flicker of pity crossing his eyes before it quickly vanished. His gaze softened into a faint smile as he said, "Deal."

After spending several sleepless days at the hospital taking care of my father, Callan joined me to take shifts by his bedside.

He patted my shoulder with his broad hand and handed me the meal he had bought.

"Don't worry. Your father will be fine. Maybe our engagement will bring him some good luck."

I almost wanted to laugh, but looking at my father's aged and frail face on the hospital bed, I couldn't muster one.

"Why did I have to be so headstrong back then? If I'd stayed by his side, joined the company after graduation, and helped ease his burdens, I would've known about his illness earlier. Wouldn't all of this have been avoided?" Callan didn't have an answer for my question. Instead, he simply held my hand, interlocking our fingers.

"This isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself too much."

I sighed. "T've already suppressed the news. Have you discussed the engagement date with your parents?"

"I make my own decisions. Whenever you want, I'll leave it to you," Callan replied.

"Let's do it soon," I said. "I never thought I'd see the day where I'd marry for business. I always believed my father was my greatest safety net."

Callan turned to me, his gaze steady. "From now on, I'll be your safety net too."

I met his eyes, and he smiled again.

"Profit comes first, right? We're in this together."

While my father was hospitalized, I didn't idle at the company.

The first investment project I spearheaded after joining was a huge success, bringing in significant profits. It at least eased some of the doubts about my abilities within the company.

But my uncle and the shareholders aligned with him weren't happy. They made snide remarks, dismissing my success as superficial-work "so simple even a dog could do it."

Fortunately, I wasn't one to back

down. I rallied a group of loyal subordinates who had been

dedicated to my father, and

together, we fought back against my uncle's faction at every turn.

To solidify my position, I officially announced my upcoming marriage to Callan.

This not only boosted my standing but also meant I now had access to Callan's massive financial backing in addition to my 8% shares. And let's not forget my father's 32% shares, still firmly under his name despite his condition.

The board stopped making rash moves. Though my uncle still looked down on me for being a woman, even he couldn't ignore the influence of Callan, the wealthiest man in Seattle.

For now, my position at the

company was stable, giving me the room I needed to push forward with my new projects. One of my key interests was the southern plot of land had wrestled from Jason.

QUMS

A week later, with Callan -now my husband after a whirlwind marriage and registration- I returned to Seattle to oversee the project.

It was during a casual moment that I asked, "Jason's been unusually quiet lately, hasn't he?"

Callan's reply was dripping with sarcasm. "He's too busy cleaning up his own mess to bother you."

Then he added, with a mockingly raised eyebrow, "Two weeks without him pestering you. Don't tell me you miss him?" Me:..?

Excuse me? Jealous already? We just got married!