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39. The False Witness
publish date:
2026-07-02 00:48:38
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Don’t Beg for Love 47. Another Chance
“One month, Ms. Sterling!?”When we returned to my office, Linda finally spoke as if she'd been holding in the exclamation.Quickly composing herself, she dropped a document folder in front of me, her fingers slightly shaking. “I’m sorry, Ms. Sterling. It isn't that I don't believe in you. But one month— even small businesses don't become successful within one month. And most companies that ever managed to expand globally took decades to achieve that.”I quirked a brow. “Well, you said you believed in me, but your words…”“I didn't mean it that way.” She sighed. “All I wanted to say is you can't allow the board of directors’ criticism to get through to you. Taking up this heavy task is risky and dangerous.”A soft laughter escaped me.I shook my head then opened the document folder.“This…?”“It is the information you asked me to gather before you traveled to Geneva,” Linda explained. “About the conflict between the HR Manager and the Finance Department Manager.”She went on as I fli
Don’t Beg for Love 46. The Global Expansion
At Sterling Empire.With several calls from Linda, I went straight to the airport after Aurelia’s birthday party.And the moment the plane landed, I headed to the company.“Welcome back, Ms. Sterling!”“Trust you had a great time at the forum!”While I walked to the conference room, the employees greeted concurrently.Their whispers as well didn't miss my ears.“Hey, I heard something happened with Ms. Sterling during the global economic forum.”“Is it about Mason Reed or Andrew Hale?”“Shush! She can hear us.” “Ms. Sterling!” Linda hurried up to me, her eyes wide with both relief and anxiousness. “The board of directors is waiting. Everyone is here.”I nodded, then followed her inside.The meeting room appeared so lively that no one noticed me when we stepped in.“I honestly don't have any faith in her.” “Everyone knows the Hale Group’s influence. In my opinion, holding this meeting is pointless because this company’s fate has already been decided.”“Exactly. How can we leave our f
Don’t Beg for Love 45. First Impressions
“Tsk! You’re right, Mira. You’re in big trouble.” Aurelia clicked her tongue then continued walking.Obviously more disturbed, Miranda followed us. “So it’s true.” She shuddered. “It’s no wonder rumors kept spreading in school that Andrew was from an influential family. Turned out his Dad was really the founder of HQ Academy.”“Oh, Annie.” She turned to me, changing the topic. “Something terrible must have happened to make you guys break up. You were a legendary couple, so what exactly happened? Do I even need to guess?”Sighing deeply, she went on. “Andrew Hale turned out to come from a powerful family, while you’re just a poor orphan with no background—““Pardon?” Aurelia stopped walking, obviously intrigued by Miranda’s words. Folding her hands, her brows shot up. “Annalise Sterling… an orphan?”“Of course!” Miranda frowned. “I’m not crazy, Aurelia. Annie and I were classmates. Only one seat separated us. You can ask her.”Shaking her head, Aurelia chuckled.She no longer addresse
Don’t Beg for Love 44. The Awkward Silence
She dropped the menu list in her hands, eyes widening with both shock and excitement.Her exclamation grabbed every attention in the room, and all eyes turned in our direction.“No way!” She shot forward. “Annie! I almost didn't recognize you! I thought you were someone else!”She grabbed my hand,But her gaze was still on the man who had just entered the restaurant. He stood so close behind me that others might assume we'd arrived together.Andrew.Great! Just great!“You guys! You guys! I knew it! I knew you would end up together!” The overexcited lady frantically glanced between Andrew and me, her voice getting louder. “So tell me! How many children do you have now!?”Silence.Immediate silence.A suffocating air of awkwardness hung in the atmosphere, and everyone else inside the room began staring at each other in shock.“Let me guess! Two! Three? It has been ten years, you've got to have more than one kid!”Blissfully unaware of the chaos she'd just dropped, the familiar-look
Don’t Beg for Love 43. The Birthday Party
The Next Day.I sat inside the hotel suite, placing my clothes, which had just come back from the laundry, into my luggage.The hotel was almost-empty now.Even Mason had already flown back home yesterday after being discharged from the hospital.Now and then, my mind wandered, hesitation flickering even as I zipped my luggage.I could have followed Mason back. However, my sketchbook was still missing.And leaving that task to the security men to help me find it,Were they going to take it seriously?I folded the last clothes into my luggage. Then my phone rang… again, for the umpteenth time this morning. This time, it was my assistant calling. “Sorry for disturbing you, Ms. Sterling,” she sounded anxious. “But the board of directors is getting impatient. Regarding the Hale Group’s decision, they want to know how you will handle it.”“Didn’t you notify them about the meeting?” I zipped the bag close and grabbed the forum brochures from the TV stand.Linda replied, “I did, Ms. Sterl
Don’t Beg for Love 42. A New Ambition
I crossed my arms and stepped forward. Stopping just a few inches away, I lifted my chin.“Mr. Hale, what exactly do you want?”“You.”Huh?“You.”I steadied myself as he repeated the word, shoving down the sudden unsettling feeling.Then a soft laughter escaped me, the word suddenly sounding more bizarre than startling. “Can you listen to yourself?”“I don't speak gibberish,” He scoffed. “Besides, you know how I hate hypocrisy, Annalise.”Hypocrisy?How ironic.“I let you waste those three years with another man just so you could learn your lesson.”Let me…?Wait, how did he know— never mind!“But it seems like you need to be taught more lessons,” he added. “You don't just start a fire and disappear.”How absurd.And funny.“Did you really think that targeting the Sterling Empire would intimidate me?” I raised a brow. “Ten years ago, I was naive… But now—”“You’re still the naive little bunny I know.” His tone dripped with sarcasm, his lips twitching. “Before you sink into further d
Don’t Beg for Love 12. The Envelope
I returned to my office, Helen’s screams fading in the distance.Sitting down, I slightly rubbed my forehead.“Ms. Sterling.” Linda soon joined me, and the hesitant look in her eyes was enough sign that she had more news.“What’s the matter?”“Actually, another visitor came earlier.” She brought an
Don’t Beg for Love 8. The Summit
A few hours later.The chaos of the day had finally died down. Inside the CEO’s office, I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, my eyes fixed on the bustling city below as I let the silence sink in.Time drifted by…Then my phone rang, a strange number displayed on the screen.I waited until it ra
Don’t Beg for Love 15. Thirty-One Husbands
Love.Hearing him say it now sounded even more ridiculous.“Anna, look at me!” Tania grabbed my shoulders, giving me a stern look. “Don’t believe what he’s saying! The scumbag definitely cares that you’re now rich! Please don’t let his words fool you.”Tania’s worry was justified.In the past, I wo
Don’t Beg for Love 14. Ten Years Ago
My fingers trembled. Just once. Barely noticeable.Yet it felt as though all the warmth had drained from my body.The man stood motionless.His expression was calm… too calm. Not surprise.Not annoyance.Not even curiosity.Just those dark eyes resting on me with a detached indifference.Then a fa
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