Chapter 3

I spent three months in an overseas convalescent hospital.

Theo arranged for the best doctors and used the best medicine for me.

The physical wounds slowly healed, but the void inside could never be filled.

Every night, nightmares haunted me.

I dreamt of Wilbur's cold gaze, the divorce papers, and the baby who left me before even taking shape.

When I woke, my pillow was always damp.

Theo seldom visited me.

He kept busy.

As the head of the Norris Group, every second counted for him.

In the fourth month, I walked into his study with a thick stack of design blueprints in my hand.

"Mr. Norris," I said, placing the blueprints on his desk. "This is the upgraded version of the Northern Lights Initiative. I've named it the Nirvana Project."

Theo lifted his gaze from his documents.

He was expressionless, and his gold-rimmed glasses reflected a cold light.

He picked up the blueprints and flipped through a few pages.

His initially casual gaze gradually turned serious and then eventually transformed into one of admiration. "Did you make this?"

"I did."

"Did Wilbur know you had this talent?"

A self-deprecating smile tugged at my lips. "In his eyes, I was just a spendthrift who loved shopping. When I was drawing, he thought I was doodling. When I stayed up late working on plans, he assumed I was binge-watching dramas."

Theo closed the blueprints, and his gaze towards me changed.

He didn't evaluate a commodity when he looked at me. Instead, he seemed to be appreciating a rare treasure.

"Alina, you've truly surprised me."

He stood up and walked to the large window, where the bustling nightscape of the city unfolded outside.

"The Norris Group is currently expanding into the domestic market, is just in need of a good project. So I'll take the Nirvana Project." He turned back and extended his hand to me. "Welcome to join the Norris Group as the director."

I shook hands with him. "Thank you, Mr. Norris. But I have a condition."

"Go ahead."

"Three years from now, I want to return to my native country as the Norris Group's representative to oversee this project."

Theo raised his eyebrows. "You want to go back and humiliate Wilbur?"

"You are right."

"Wilbur is now a rising star in the domestic business field. After swallowing the Hayes Group, the market value of the Chapman Group doubled."

"So what?" I look up, my eyes blazing with the fire of hatred. "I will make him regurgitate what he swallowed with interest."

Theo smiled.

It carried a hint of indulgence this time.

"Alright. I'll give you three years. During this time, I'll teach you how to be a true hunter. Three years later, I'll go back with you. I'm curious to see Wilbur's expression when faced with his own oversight."

From that moment, I was no longer the weak woman who was easily bullied.

In my place was the decisive Director Hayes of the Norris Group.

I cut my long hair and exchanged my gentle dresses for sharp business attire and donned four-inch heels.

Like a sponge, I absorbed everything Theo taught me.

I learned business negotiations, capital operations, and mental chess games.

I worked day and night.

Only in utter exhaustion would I not think of the past.

Theo was a strict mentor and a devil. He never praised me.

If I did well, it was okay. If I did poorly, he would give me a sharp critique. "Alina, tears won't help you win in business. Don't let me see you be weak. If you want to win, you must be tougher than your opponent."

I gritted my teeth and fell and rose time and again.

The scars on me became my strongest armor.