Six years later
It's January in Velvetwood, and the place is blanketed with snow.
Just as Arabella was preparing to leave, she received a message from Peterson Miller, her boyfriend. He wanted to meet up and had attached the address of a nearby coffee shop.
This was unlike Peterson, and after some thought and a glance at the time, Arabella decided to meet him.
She left her apartment, and it was just a five–minute walk to the agreed coffee shop. However, when she pushed open the door, Peterson was nowhere to be seen.
She sat down casually and was about to make a phone call when someone suddenly appeared in front of her. Arabella looked up and saw Edith Whitman.
Velvetwood's circle of celebrities was small, and she had met Edith a few times. She knew that Edith was a member of the Whitman family from Sunburst City, in charge of the family's overseas business in Velvetwood. Edith always came off as indifferent.
Edith sat across from Arabella, her expression deadpan. "I'm here in place of Peterson."
Arabella sensed something was off and checked the time, then said, "Well then, spit it out, Ms. Whitman."
"Peterson is returning to our home country with me." Edith looked straight at Arabella. "We plan to get married this year."
Arabella's face didn't show the reaction Edith was hoping for. Instead, she burst into laughter. "So, you're here to tell me he's been seeing you behind my back, right?"
"We're adults, there's no need to beat around the bush." Edith took out a check from her bag and slid it across to Arabella. "This is Peterson's compensation to you."
Arabella picked up the check, counted the digits on it, then squinted her eyes. "Two hundred thousand dollars? Given your current financial status, isn't that a bit stingy?"
Edith looked at her with disdain. "For someone like you, Ms. Everett, this sum should be substantial. And with your capabilities, there are plenty of opportunities out there waiting for you."
"You're right." Arabella surprisingly agreed. "Should I thank you for praising me and reminding me of this, Ms.Whitman?"
Looking at Arabella now, Edith's expression remained the same, but her breathing quickened involuntarily.
Arabella was naturally beautiful. Although her makeup was flawless, what truly captivated people was her radiant face beneath it. She was very charming and not tacky at all. In short, she was a woman who could look beautiful however she wanted.
Edith was momentarily stunned and before she could speak, the coffee shop door was pushed open. In the gust of cold wind that followed, Peterson's tall figure appeared.
He immediately spotted Arabella and Edith sitting together, and his expression turned icy.
Arabella leaned back in the sofa, looking at him and smiling leisurely.
Peterson strode over and pulled Edith up. "What are you doing?"
Edith's face was as calm as still water, "You're late. I've already told her everything."
Peterson turned pale with anger, his grip on Edith's wrist so tight that his knuckles turned white. Then he turned to look at Arabella stiffly.
Arabella watched them like it was a show, and when she saw his expression, she nodded. "Hmm, she's done talking. Is it your turn now?"
Peterson just looked at her, his eyes deep and complex, his breath uneven, but he didn't utter a word.
Arabella didn't have the patience to interpret his silent face. She checked on the time and said, "I don't have much time. If you have something to say, spit it out. Can you tell me, did Ms. Whitman do this because she likes you and wanted to sabotage our relationship?"
At this, Edith laughed coldly. But Peterson remained expressionless, looking at Arabella's fiery eyes and still not saying a word.
"So you have nothing to say?" Arabella didn't want to waste more time. She got up. "Alright, I understand."
Arabella walked towards the coffee shop's entrance, but Peterson reached out and grabbed her arm. "Bella!"
Arabella didn't stop, and Peterson pulled her back until her down jacket slipped off her shoulders.
Underneath, Arabella was wearing a sexy little black dress that reached her thighs, highlighting her stunning figure and revealing her smooth, long neck and some of her skin. Her carefully applied smoky makeup added to her allure.
Peterson froze, while Edith scoffed, looking at Arabella. "I've never seen a reporter like Ms. Everett before."
Arabella laughed at this, her lips curling up slightly, and every part of her face was radiant, confident and enchanting.
"So what?" she said with a sigh. "After all, it's not my fault that I'm pretty."
With that, Arabella shrugged off her down jacket, pushed open the door, and stepped into the snowy world outside.
Peterson tried to follow her, but Edith held him back. Her voice was icy. "Peterson, you don't think you can. continue your relationship with her after being with me, do you? You think I'm a sucker?"
Peterson was taken aback, but he shrugged off Edith and walked out of the coffee shop.
Watching him go, Edith's face changed dramatically.
After leaving the coffee shop, Peterson just stood at the door, watching Arabella's receding figure.
He chased her for two years, dated her for two years, and when he betrayed her, she didn't show any anger or bitterness.
Peterson's eyes were red–rimmed as he watched Arabella walk away, before turning and heading in another direction.
Arabella, on the other hand, walked down the street with grace, drawing gasps and praises from passersby. She was like a flower in the winter, beautiful and mysterious.
A month later, Peterson and Edith left Velvetwood and returned home.
In early February, in Starhaven, Agency A.D revealed a drug scandal involving a bunch of rich kids in Velvetwood. The story was investigated and reported by journalist Arabella.
End of the year, Sunburst City.
The office buildings in the central business district were quiet, but on the 26th floor of the Hunt Group, work was still going on as usual.
Secretary Yasmina sorted out the documents handed over by various departments, then knocked on the door of the president's office and walked in.
Preston sat behind his desk reading files. Despite having spent a long time in the office, his suit was still crisply tailored, his hair styled perfectly. His eyes held a familiar coldness. Despite the hustle and bustle around him, he didn't look tired at all.
Yasmina had worked with him for many years and knew he maintained this seriousness and steadiness, in public and private. She was used to it.
Without his leadership, the Hunt Group might have sunk during the crisis Six years ago. Back then, he was only in his twenties, but he managed to save the teetering Hunt Group with his own power. Over Six years, he brought the company back to a leading position in Sunburst City. His cunning and strategies weren't something ordinary people could see through.
Yasmina put a few files on his desk and reported on each of them.
Preston listened quietly, his eyes never leaving the file in his hand.
A notification sound came from the computer, indicating a new email.
Preston finally looked up at the computer screen.
And then, he put down the file he was holding.
Yasmina was taken aback, and couldn't help but look at the computer screen.
On the screen was a photo of a woman. The background looked foreign, surrounded by a snowy environment. Everyone was bundled up in thick clothes, except for the woman, who was standing on the street in a low–cut black dress, oblivious to the stares around her. When she saw someone taking her picture, she even smiled at the camera.
She looked like a little witch from a fairy tale, but she was so beautiful it was stunning, like a flower in the summer.
Yasmina wanted to look more, but Preston had already turned the photo off. She realized what she was doing was out of place, and she turned and walked to the door.
As she turned to close the door, she saw Preston stand up and walk to the window to light a cigarette.
Outside, the clouds were thick and the sky was getting dark, but then the sun broke through, illuminating the streets.
Preston held his cigarette, lost in thought.
Winter had passed, and spring should be coming soon.