When Love Breaks by jack

I was stunned for a moment.

Almost instantly, I pieced together Bryant's current situation, but I couldn't quite believe it. Wasn't he bankrupt? Turned out, he had just pulled a Houdini... And, after all that maneuvering, he ended up holding more power and influence than ever before.

As I came to grips with the situation, my first ifistinct was panic... I thought I had cut ties with him, and now he turns out to be the biggest shareholder in my company?, I still held onto a sliver of hope, maybe he was just chummy with York and decided to tag along for a visit.

York introduced him with a smile, "Ms. Webster, Ms. Jackson, meet the new... new Vice President of RF Group, Mr. Ferguson."

The position announced was a step below York's. But York was always a step behind Bryant, and his body language while speaking was telling. However, they were the major stakeholders of Janedream now, and I didn't want to cause a scene. I offered a faint, noncommittal smile, "Oh? I heard your big boss was coming. Where is he?"

York chuckled it off, "Well, he got tied up with some last-minute business..." "Alright then."

I didn't press further, and Christine caught on to the tension. Years of understanding each other meant a single look was enough to agree on keeping up appearances for now.

We made our way into the meeting room, holding what felt like a pointless meeting before York dismissed the others. Then, turning to Christine, he asked, "Ms. Jackson, would you mind showing me your Design Department?"

It couldn't be more obvious.

"Mr. Carlson, Jane is actually the head of the Design Department. She'd be more familiar..."

Christine was hesitant to leave me alone with Bryant, almost refusing on the spot.

Seeing Bryant's calm demeanor, I interjected, "Chris, you head off with Mr. Carlson. I actually need to ask Mr. Ferguson a few questions." Some things just needed to be cleared up; I couldn't put it off any longer.

"Jane...

Christine hesitated for a moment, but seeing my determination, she didn't insist any further and led York away.

Suddenly, it was just Bryant and me in the office. His gaze was fixed on me, waiting for me to break the silence. I felt an annoying sense of him having the upper hand.

Annoyed and not in the mood for beating around the bush, I got straight to the point, "You're the man behind RF Group, aren't you?" "Yes."

Bryant didn't avoid the question or show any signs of discomfort, his voice deep, "So, is reconciliation on the table now?"

"Reconciliation?" I couldn't grasp how he could so lightly throw around that word.

He stood up, propping himself on the desk with one hand, slightly leaning forward, his brows slightly furrowed, "You were the one who said that, remember? That evening at your doorstep, I asked if we could reconcile once I became the old Mr. Ferguson again. Did you forget?"

His question jogged my memory. He was referring to that evening when he had asked if we could reconcile once he regained his previous status, and I had nonchalantly agreed. I had brushed it off right after, but he remembered.

I stared at him, a mix of frustration and resignation on my face, "Bryant, are you patting yourself on the back right now?" He was taken aback, "Hmm?”

"With all your scheming, playing your cards close to the chest. Everyone thought RiverCity was under new management, but it was you all along. Even the Myers family was left in the dark."

I looked at the man I had once longed for and spoke slowly, "Playing both sides, getting engaged to Dorothy while secretly investing in me. You must think you're quite the devoted lover huh?"