After arriving home, Nicholas immediately called Diana.
Nicholas: "Hello. You called me today; what did you need?"
Diana said sarcastically: "It's clear you were having such a good time that you only remembered to call me now!"
Nicholas replied coldly: "If it's not important, I'm hanging up."
Diana said hurriedly: "Wait! Yong came to see me today. We talked about the company shares. For launching the overseas branch, all shareholders must be present."
Nicholas said impatiently: "Fine, let me know when the time comes so I can be at the meeting. Was that your important business?"
Diana continued with a taunt: "No, the issue isn't about you! I said 'all shareholders'... it seems you've forgotten that Yong is also a shareholder."
Nicholas laughed: "I haven't forgotten, but he doesn't know how to do anything but paint. As always, you attend on his behalf."
Diana grew serious: "I thought the same, but today Yong came to me and said he wants to participate directly in the company meetings and help me with the work."
Nicholas suddenly burst into laughter: "Mother finally succeeded? Good... you always liked to see your love show himself!"
Diana said angrily: "Are you mocking me or are you really an idiot? Have you forgotten you're also a shareholder? Besides, no one knows about the amount of Yong's shares; everyone thinks they belong to me."
Nicholas took a breath: "I know, but this time I agree with Yong. Don't you think it's time for everyone to know that Yong has been by your side like a secret guardian all this time? Don't worry about me either; the time has finally come for me to face him."
Diana said in terror: "Are you crazy? Do you want to destroy both of us? If Yong finds out you also own company shares, I'm sure the disasters of eight years ago will repeat themselves."
Nicholas said firmly: "End it, Diana! I love Mary now, and Yong knows this. I want to start a new life and no longer be mixed up in your lives. If necessary, I will explain everything to him myself. You should also add some color to your life with Yong; it's time you get married and run the company together."
Diana said with a trembling voice: "Yong... are you drunk? It seems you don't know what you're saying. What life? Have you forgotten we were supposed to build a beautiful life together?"
Nicholas said: "Enough, get out of these illusions. I love Mary. Yong loves you, and you love him."
Diana shouted: "I love you! Why don't you believe it? From the very first day, I wanted you, but you were the one who distanced yourself from me!"
Nicholas, tired of the argument, said: "I've said what I had to say, and now I'm tired." He hung up the phone. He threw the phone onto the sofa in anger. Diana, burning from this disrespect, whispered to herself: "Fine, I'll show you. Let's see if you're still so arrogant after Mary finds out the truth about your relationship with me."
The next day, Mary was practicing painting with Yong and noticed that, unlike always, he was smiling.
Mary: "Yong, you're very happy today! Did something happen?"
Yong replied: "I thought about your words. You were right; if I help Diana with the company work, my relationship with Diana's family might improve, and this way, Diana will also get closer to me. Yesterday, I told Diana I want us to run the company together."
Mary said with excitement: "Really? That's great! Well, Diana must be very happy, right?"
Yong hesitated slightly: "Actually... I think she was a bit shocked, because she didn't show much reaction."
Mary said with a smile: "I'm sure everything will be fine. It's just enough for Diana's parents to change their view of you."
A few days passed, and Mary and Yong decided to take a one-week break after completing a few paintings. One day, Diana went to Yong's house. Yong opened the door in surprise: "Darling? You didn't say you were coming."
Diana held up two bags of food: "I wanted us to have dinner together."
Yong said happily: "Come in, I was actually very hungry."
During dinner, Diana started the conversation: "Yong, how is the painting work going?"
Yong: "It's good. We finished a few canvases, and we'll continue from next week."
Diana: "What about the overseas exhibition? Is the work done?"
Yong: "Yeah, I've talked about it. If the situation permits, I'll go in 15 days to handle the final details in person."
Diana said carefully: "That's very good, but there's one problem; the shareholders' meeting is being held exactly at that time. Of course, don't worry, I will manage the company work; you focus on your exhibition with peace of mind."
Yong frowned: "Really? So soon? No, darling, this isn't right. I've made my decision; I will definitely participate in the meeting. I'll figure something out for the exhibition."
Diana insisted: "I said it's not necessary! I'll handle everything myself as always."
Yong asked curiously: "It seems you don't want me at that meeting at all... Is there a problem?"
Diana stood up sharply: "Enough! Why do you keep acting as if you suspect me? This behavior of yours is exhausting."
Yong said in astonishment: "But I didn't say anything!"
Diana grabbed her bag: "Do you really not know what you said? You insulted me."
Yong tried to calm her down: "Diana, wait, why did you get so upset? I just want us to get closer, that's all. But I feel like you're distancing yourself from me."
Diana stared into his eyes: "If you want to be close, you must prove your respect and trust in me. Not by sitting beside me with hesitation."
Yong said seriously: "Of course I trust you. You know yourself that I only care about you."
Diana smiled: "Fine, then prove it. Give me the power of attorney for all your shares so I can handle the company's affairs abroad as your representative, and then... we can run it together like a happy couple."
Yong hesitated for a moment and then said: "Fine, if that makes you happy, I have no problem. Now don't be angry, come finish your dinner."
Two weeks later, Yong was packing his paintings. Just one day before his trip to the Netherlands, after giving Diana power of attorney over his shares, he returned to the workshop. Suddenly, he heard Nicholas and Mary talking in the workshop.
Mary: "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
Nicholas: "Yeah, the shareholders' meeting is in two days, and I must be there."
Mary: "I hope everything goes well. Although you never told me before that you were a shareholder in a company."
Nicholas: "When I get back, we'll have a small celebration. Just you and me."
Mary laughed: "First let the company get started! Nicholas, why are you talking as if you're about to tell me bad news?"
Nicholas: "No, it's nothing bad. It's related to the past; I don't want to hide anything from you. When I return, I'll tell you everything."
Nicholas said goodbye and stepped out of the workshop. As soon as he opened the door, he came face to face with Yong, who was staring at him with a flushed face. Nicholas said stammering: "Yong... have you... have you been here since when?"
Yong said with a voice cold and trembling with rage: "Since the time it was necessary for me to understand what kind of game you two are playing."
Nicholas said with a fake smile: "What do you mean?"
Yong stepped closer: "Given what I heard, my guess is correct, isn't it?"
Nicholas was shocked, and for a few moments, a heavy silence hung between them.