Chapter 10
I originally thought that once Ivy took Mason back, his interest in me would soon fade, and after getting used to my absence, he would stop seeking me out.
Little did I know he would start camping outside my company building every day, with Ivy bringing him hot coffee to warm his hands, the two of them becoming an odd fixture in the landscape.
Today was even more ridiculous–a stretched Lincoln limousine was parked downstairs.
As Mr. Huntington himself had arrived, yet Mason stubbornly refused to leave, drawing a crowd of curious
onlookers.
When Elena witnessed this scene, she laughed uncontrollably before asking me to handle the situation before it affected the company’s image.
I sighed wordlessly as I headed downstairs to confront Mason.
In the biting cold wind, Mason immediately pushed his father aside, rubbed his freezing fingers together, and asked me hopefully: “Ava, have you forgiven me?”
I responded flatly: “Mr. Huntington is here now. You should go back with him.”
Upon my flat tone, Mason’s face instantly crumpled at my words.
Meanwhile, Mr. Huntington’s eyes were unfathomably deep as he threatened in a calm voice: “Mason, you really think I’m so easily overthrown? If you don’t want the company anymore, just stay here–I’ll find someone else to
manage it.”
Hearing this, Ivy became immediately anxious, tugging at Mason’s sleeve while pleading: “Mason, look how long this has gone on. It’s time to come home. Ava Lopez isn’t worth all this!”
Hesitation flashed across Mason’s eyes as he glanced at me, yet he still stubbornly declared: “If you won’t give it to me, then I don’t want any inheritance. I just want to be with Ava! She’s not like my mother–she won’t despise me
whether I’m poor or rich!”
His words struck directly at Mr. Huntington’s core wound.
Years ago, Mr. Huntington had misjudged a gold–digger he fell in love with, who later cheated on him and even drugged both father and son, nearly killing them.
For the first time, I saw the typically composed and elegant Mr. Huntington reveal a fierce expression as he sneered: “Fine. Don’t regret this. Ivy, come with me. Don’t bother with him!”
After a moment’s hesitation, Ivy followed Mr. Huntington, leaving Mason abandoned and alone.
Looking at the isolated Mason, I felt an overwhelming headache developing.
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
64.1%
Chapter 10
But life had to go on. From that day on, I still went to work as usual, though Mason appeared less and less.
Because Mr. Huntington kept his word and froze all of Mason’s bank cards.
To stay in Switzerland, Mason had to take time to sell off his luxury items. By the time he’d sold every last piece, he
had no choice but to wash dishes in a restaurant.
Every time he appeared before me, the chilblains on his hands grew worse. I could only urge him again and again, telling him I no longer loved him and begging him to return to Houston as soon as possible.
Yet somehow he misinterpreted my concern, responding with a sweet smile: “I understand–you’re looking out for me. Don’t worry, I don’t mind the hardship. I need to stand my ground! I’m his only child, so he’ll eventually give in. When you come back to Houston with me, I’ll transfer all my assets to you, okay?”
His delusions were truly remarkable.
In the past, I had been willing to indulge his every whim like a child, but now I realized what a self–centered, frightening man–child he truly was.
At this point, I had done all I reasonably could for him.
From then on, I stopped inquiring about Mason’s life and focused entirely on my own work. Months later, my exceptional performance led Elena to promote me directly to Vice President, with an annual salary of five million. dollars, earning congratulations from everyone in the company.
On the day of my promotion, Mason appeared again.
He waited for me downstairs until I got off work, timidly presenting a necklace to me as he said: “Ava, congratulations on your promotion. I spent a month’s salary on this for you. Would you try it on?”
I gently accepted the gift while Mason’s eyes brightened progressively, his lips unable to contain his smile.
Then, turning suddenly, I grabbed a passing colleague and asked: “Would you like to buy this necklace for fifty
dollars?”
My colleague laughed: “That’s quite an expensive brand. Are you really selling it to me?”
I nodded firmly, completing the transaction with my colleague–money for merchandise–as Mason watched with a
face drained of all color.
“How… how could you…” he stammered.
I laughed softly: “Mason, isn’t this exactly how you treated me for seven years? Do you really think we could have any future together now?”
Mason stared at me deeply, as if rooted to the spot.
The next day, I heard from the restaurant where he worked that he had returned to Houston.
Soon after, news broke of his divorce back home, but he never appeared in any more gossip columns, instead
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Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
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becoming the industry’s most sought–after bachelor.
And so our lives gradually became parallel lines that would never intersect again.
