Chapter 1 Refuse

The typhoon howled in the dark night.

This didn't stop the black Bentley from speeding across the asphalt road defying the strong winds.

The rain poured, splashing against the car. Even the wiper couldn't do much to clear the car window of the rain drops.

The violent gust of wind swept past the car.

Meanwhile, inside the car, Caspar Qiao sat in the backseat, calm as ever and completely unaffected by the tumult roaring outside. His fingers drummed on the keyboard as he was completely focused.

All of a sudden, Caspar closed his laptop.

The Crystal Bay Project of Z City!

Three years ago, Caspar missed the first phase of the Crystal Bay Project. Today, he was determined to get to the second phase!

'Three years passed by, from 80 million to one billion, from the leading project of the Z City to the top one of the Z Country. It's worth it!'

As Caspar thought of this, excitement spread across his face. However, it was gone as soon as it came. The look on his face quickly shifted—from excitement to severity.

'It took me three years to turn the tide and made up for that devastating mistake I made in the business. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about that unexpected humiliation.'

Thinking of that year and that day, Caspar immediately clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Leona..."

Caspar murmured.

Perhaps, it was inappropriate to say that he was murmuring.

Although Caspar's tone was low, he still gritted his teeth in utter hatred and anger.

As Johan He sat in the driver's seat, he felt a chill run throughout his entire body.

'Even though boss's voice was low, I still heard him. I've heard that name countless of times in the past three years. I'm not wrong about this.

If I wasn't sure about something before, this suddenly cold and tense atmosphere only confirms my suspicions.

Ah, there goes the gleam of silver light.

Silver light...

He's taken out the necklace from his chest and is caressing it in his palm again. He's holding it tightly as if he's strangling that woman.'

"Alas..."

Johan sighed, unable to deny the ominous feeling that crept in his chest.

'Every time boss starts behaving like this, I always get the short end of the stick. He takes it out on me!'

"Distracted?"

Caspar's cold voice came from the backseat.

'Sure enough!' Johan thought inwardly.

"The project in Africa is short in staff."

Johan sighed. 'It's my fault for being distracted. I have to focus since I'm driving and this weather is crazy! Even so, there's no need to send me to Africa.

Besides, there's a reason why I'm distracted. Anyone would be scared if they saw boss act like this. It doesn't help that I'm driving. No matter what I'm doing, it's natural to be afraid of boss when he's like this!'

"Boss..."

Johan pleaded.

However, as soon as Johan opened his mouth, he noticed a black figure pass in front of the car.

Instinctively, Johan swerved, slowed down, and slammed his foot on the brake pedal.

A strange noise could be heard from the right side of the car.

The sound was imperceptible but it was frightening!

Johan froze for a moment.

He'd never felt this before. But this could only mean one thing—he had hit someone.

"Fuck!" When Johan came to his senses, he cursed, "Who would be outdoors in this weather? !" The streets were practically deserted but he still hit someone. What was that person doing outside in the storm?

Outside the Bentley.

The angry storm pattered against the road as the thunder boomed across the sky.

Meanwhile, Leona Ling was completely oblivious.

Leona struggled to get up as the puddle of rain reached her ankles. She braved the rain storm as she walked steadily towards the car parking in front of her.

'This is the only way to get to the WF Mansion from the QT International Group.

There's still half an hour left since the signing is at nine.

A car passing by here in this weather? This could only be Caspar's car, ' she thought inwardly.

She had only taken ten steps.

Yet Leona felt as if she had been walking for ten years.

Inside the Bentley.

A slender figure could be seen through the car window despite the blurred vision caused by the raindrops.

Caspar couldn't see the person's face very well but for some reason, his heart ached.

There were just some emotions that could be felt deep in the bones.

Pain...

Hatred...

And...

Caspar held the butterfly pendant of the necklace on his palm. He enclosed it in his hand so tightly that he started bleeding.

He was overcome with sadness.

The word "Leona" hidden in the pendant was like a knife, cutting through his heart for the past three years.

After a long while, a faint smile appeared on Caspar's face.

"Drive,"

Caspar ordered.

After a short pause, Johan slammed his foot on the gas pedal obediently.

Meanwhile, outside...

Amidst the violent storm, Leona trembled but stood still like a leaf desperately clung to the tree, as she was too frail to do anything else.

Leona couldn't see the face of the man in the car properly as it was raining and the window was heavily tinted but she knew that he was looking right at her too.

Leona clenched her hands into fists.

A piercing pain suddenly shot through her right arm while her left arm felt as if it was a thousand pounds heavy.

Just then, she heard the sound of an engine running. Her chest tightened as panic spread across her face.

'Grandpa is already in the advanced stage of aplastic anemia and his hematopoietic function is weak. All his organs are barely functioning now. Caspar's our best bet. He's grandpa's last hope.

I can't let him go!'

"Grandpa, wait for me..."

Leona murmured. She raised her left hand with difficulty and knocked on the window twice as this was all her strength could bring her to do.

'Grandpa is the only family I have left. I grew up with him. Even if I die, I will beg Caspar just so he can save grandpa.'

Thinking of this, Leona knocked on the window two more times again.

The car window slowly rolled down, revealing Caspar's handsome face.

A bitter smile appeared on Leona's face.

'Three years have passed!

Three years ago, when I left without saying goodbye, I had imagined countless scenes when we would meet again but I had never thought that it would be this way.

He sits in the car as noble as a God. Meanwhile, I'm soaking wet, frail, and weak. I'm as humble as dust as if God wants to wash me away into oblivion.'

Meanwhile, Caspar carefully eyed the woman that stood in front of him—her black hair flitted against the wind as her dress fluttered outlining her slender figure. Her beautiful face was pale and delicate, her eyes moist. She was like a fragile fairy that made him want to hold her in his arms and care for her.

'Care?

Forget that.'

Caspar frowned as he shut his eyes close.

When Caspar opened his eyes again, his eyes were calm and steady unlike the sea in this storm.

"Miss, what can I do for you?"

Caspar said indifferently.

Leona tightened her hands.

'That hurts!

Miss?!

Three years have passed. I thought he would hate me but I didn't expect that he would forget me.

Huh...'

Leona smiled ironically.

'Well!'

"My name is Leona Ling. I know that Mr. Caspar's time is precious. I would like to ask a favor from you. You could save a person. You can set whatever conditions you want."

The car continued to hum, which meant that Leona's time was limited. Knowing that, she went straight to the point.

"Ha-ah..." Caspar sneered. "Looks like you know who I am. How dare you show your face to me just to ask something from me?"

Upon hearing this, Leona pursed her lips.

"Mr. Caspar, I am hoping you could donate your bone marrow to save my grandpa. I will be willing to do anything. No complaints, no protests, nothing... I'll work like a horse."

"Work like a horse?"

Caspar's mouth twitched.

"You're so funny. I'm not a farmer. Why would I want a horse?"

"What can I do to make you agree?"

As she spoke, she had a resolute look on her face. Her voice was hoarse and low almost as if she was flirting with him.

Silence fell upon them.

After a long while, Caspar suddenly smiled. "If you really want to save your grandfather, why don't you get in the car and have a talk with me?"

Inside the car, the partition between the front seat and the back seat were put in place.

'Caspar is sitting in the middle, which means I have to sit in this little space... In this cramped and narrow space...' Leona shrank back instinctively as she pressed her body against the inner wall of the car.

The air conditioner in the car was set a little cold. Thus, Leona shivered in her soaking wet clothes.

"Are you cold?"

With an evil smile, Caspar stretched out his hand and raised Leona's chin, forcing her to look up at him.

They were only inches apart from each other.

"Hmmm.... Not so much..."

Leona said in a low voice, her vision a little blurry.

"Not so much?" Caspar eyed Leona carefully before saying, "Your face is red. Since you're not cold, does that mean it's hot in here?"

As he spoke, he reached out his head and set the air conditioner to the coldest level.

'Cold!

It's so cold! I feel that in my heart!

Just like how he is to me right now.'

Suppressing her extreme physical discomfort, Leona begged, "Mr. Caspar, please, please, help me..."

"Help you?" Smiling maliciously, Caspar interrupted her. "Miss Leona, you remind me of this particular night three years ago. There was this woman who begged me like this too but..."

All of a sudden, Caspar pulled Leona's body away from the car door and into his arms, whispering in her ear, "We weren't in a car... We were in bed! What do you think I did? Do you think I let her go?"

"Please..."

Leona struggled to raise her head from Caspar's arms, squinted and murmured, "Help me..."

"Help you?"

Smiling coldly, Caspar lowered his head and gazed into Leona's face, a complicated look on his face.

After a long while....

"I'd rather die!"

Caspar's words made Leona tremble all over.

Then a gust of cold wind blew from behind.

Before Leona could even realize what was happening, Caspar forcefully pushed her out of the car. When the car sped off, something silver was thrown out of the car and landed right in front of her.

Leona picked it up with much difficulty.

The silver necklace was wrapped in a check and a plastic bag.

'One million!

And the necklace!

Three years ago, when I left, I left the most precious thing I had on his table as my last gift.

Now he practically threw it on my face.

It's over!

Everything's over!'

A single tear fell from the corner of her eye as it quickly disappeared amidst the violent storm.

In the WF Mansion

The man with grey temples put down the pen and shook Caspar's hand eagerly. "The younger generation is feisty! Mr. Caspar, I hope we have a pleasant cooperation!"

"Likewise! I wish us a pleasant cooperation too!"

Caspar stretched out his hand with a faint smile. However, the man suddenly froze as he seemingly noticed something. "Mr. Caspar, are you hurt?"

Caspar lowered his head and followed the man's gaze. He looked down at his white shirt. There was a bright red bloodstain.