The corners of Bennett’s mouth tightened ever so slightly—a barely perceptible gesture, but one that betrayed a fleeting chill in his heart.
He didn’t argue. Nor did he expose her obvious attempt to hide her true thoughts.
Instead, he slowly turned away.
The broad leather chair now faced the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to Gwyneth.
Outside, the city skyline shimmered beneath dazzling sunlight.
Yet his silhouette radiated a subtle, almost invisible weariness.
Gwyneth stared at his broad back, struck by an inexplicable loneliness in his posture. Her heart gave a faint, uncomfortable prick.
She parted her lips, wanting to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
The office fell silent, broken only by the low hum of the air purifier.
After a long pause, Bennett’s deep voice finally drifted from behind the chair—weighted with emotions Gwyneth could barely decipher: resignation, a heavy sigh.
“Heh…”
That quiet exhale struck Gwyneth harder than any words.
When he spoke again, his voice was steady and low, as if muffled by an invisible wall of ice.
“Gwyneth.”
“So this is…your final decision?”
He spoke slowly, each word heavy as stone.
Gwyneth gazed at his back, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the edge of her tablet.
She could feel the disappointment and distance woven through his words.
For a moment, she nearly abandoned her earlier resolve and confessed everything on her mind.
But logic prevailed over that sudden urge.
She couldn’t risk it.
Not when she still couldn’t see the full extent of Bennett’s game.
“…Yes.” Her voice sounded dry and short, as if sealing off every possible retreat.
As that single word fell, it seemed to freeze the last fragile thread connecting them.
Bennett’s shoulders tensed—just for a heartbeat.
It took several seconds before he nodded, an almost imperceptible motion, as if accepting her answer.
Then he spoke again, his tone even lower and more measured, edged with a protective authority that brooked no argument.
He didn’t turn around. His voice floated over the chair, distant yet unmistakably clear.
“The Cloudview Resort project—”
He paused, then declared with finality,
“Stay out of it.”
Gwyneth jolted in shock.
Stay out of it?

 Verify captcha to read the content
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Revenge Wears My Ring