Chapter 6

I received a call from Casey as soon as I got to the hospital. It was as if she had forgotten all about what had happened before. She even softened her tone when she said, "Let's go get our wedding photos taken, Jace. The wedding's already set, so can we please stop fighting?" Casey only brought up the wedding because I had cancelled the investment, and Newton Group was barely holding on. For her, it was always about her gains. I calmly listened to her before replying indifferently, "Wait until I get off work." Before this, I'd asked her—thrice—to get our wedding photos taken. But every time, she had an excuse to cancel. The first time, it was a business trip. The second time, she had an important partnership she couldn't miss. The third time, I agreed to an outdoor shot as she wished, but she never showed up. I waited in the rain for three hours and ended up getting really sick, but not once did she come to visit me. I headed straight to the consultation room after ending the call. Once I was done with work, I took out my phone to check the text I got from the private investigator, scoffing slightly. It didn't seem like Casey had wanted to take wedding photos with me at all. It was clearly an excuse she used to go on a date with Andrew. In the photo, the both of them were all over each other in the studio. They weren't even trying to hide it. … I didn't go to the studio and went straight home after work. At that moment, Casey called me. She sounded angry when she said, "Do you know I have been waiting for you in the store for three hours? What's this supposed to mean? Is it fun to stand me up?" I had embarrassed her by not showing up. I replied nonchalantly, "Yes, it's fun. Otherwise, why would you have stood me up three times before this?" Casey went quiet suddenly, but I could still hear the teasing laughter from someone else on the other end of the line. "Come and enjoy yourself, Cass!" That voice belonged to Andrew. I said, "You know exactly how long you waited at the store, Casey." According to the private investigator, Casey hadn't even waited 30 minutes before she left with Andrew. She was taken aback. The noise from the other end grew dimmer—perhaps she went to a secluded spot. Casey's voice sounded desperate when she asked, "We'll go get the photos taken tomorrow, okay?" I did not reply to her and merely ended the call. The private investigator sent me another text. It turned out that Casey and Andrew were having fun at the bar at the moment. … The next morning, Casey showed up as soon as I stepped out of my house. She smiled softly and said, "I've already arranged the photoshoot for today. You should take a day off from work." It wasn't a discussion but a notice. As she spoke, Casey walked over to loop her arms around mine. I pulled back slightly, trying to sidestep her, but she blocked my path. Her gaze was unwavering when she said, "We're about to get married. It wouldn't be right not to have our wedding photos taken." Casey didn't take the breakup seriously at all. She was sure that I wouldn't go that far—all because I loved her. And the wedding photoshoot today was non-negotiable. She pursed her lips and softened her tone. "Just give me one day, Jace." So, I agreed to go for the wedding photoshoot. On our way there, Casey casually asked, "I heard that Ranford Corporation just made an investment in a school. What made you decide to invest in education out of nowhere? This kind of investment usually doesn't make money, does it?" I replied in a perfunctory manner, "I'm just a figurehead in the company. I have no say in matters relating to investments." Casey continued as she drove, "To be honest, our hospital's research projects are quite promising. We'll definitely win awards if it succeeds, and Ranford Corporation won't lose out on this. You just have to talk to Mr. Ranford about it. Your parents love you so much, so I'm sure they wouldn't say no to you." I was tired of hearing her talk. I said irritably, "Then bring me the approval letter, and we'll sign a contract. No contract, no investments!"