Stanley pressed the button to answer the call. "Itello, Mom."


    "You''re back in the Capital, right? Why don''t youe over to the family estate for dinner? I''d love to have you here."


    Stanley couldn''t refuse that request, of course. “Sure."


    Soon, the Rolls-Royce business car pulled up to the Hawk mily estate''s expansivewn. Stanley stepped out and walked into the house.


    Ang was sitting on the s, apanied by someone else-Jessica.


    In the three years since theyst met, Jessica had only grown more stunning. As the daughter of the richest man in the world, she had been living a life of luxury and sess.


    Ang beamed as she saw Stanley. "Stanley, you''re back!"


    Jessica also brightened up immediately. She stood and hurried over to Stanley with a smile. "Hey, Stanley!"


    Stanley hadn''t expected to see Jessica here. He pursed his lips and with a cool and distant expression, asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "Jessica knew you wereing back today, so she''s been waiting for you. Look at how thoughtful your fiancée is! I hope you two can get married soon so I can hold my grandchild," Ang quickly exined.


    Jessica gazed at Stanley with affection, her eyes full of longing as she said softly, "I can''t wait to marry him soon."


    Ang, with a pleased smile, added, "I''ve already had someone pick out a few good dates for the wedding. Why don''t you take a look?"


    "No need to look," Stanley immediately replied. "I''m not marrying Jessica."


    The words hung in the air, and both Ang and Jessica froze.


    2


    Stanley turned his attention back to Jessica. "It''s important to know your ce. You know I don''t have feelings for you, and I''m not going to marry you. Stop throwing yourself at me—it''ll just make me despise you even more."


    With that, Stanley turned and began climbing the stairs.


    Jessica''s face turned pale. The life of luxury as the richest man''s daughter had always kept her above others, but now, there was only one person who could treat her so coldly-Stanley.


    She called out after him, her voice trembling, "Is Wendy the reason you won''t marry me?"


    At the mention of "Wendy", Stanley paused mid-step.


    Jessica pressed on, "You''ve been looking for her all this time, haven''t you? You just came back from a trip. You were looking for her again, weren''t you?"


    Stanley didn''t turn around, but his voice was steady as he answered, "Yes."


    Jessica''s hands, hanging by her sides, immediately clenched into fists.


    Three years had passed, and she thought she had won.


    When Wendy had disappeared without a trace three years ago, Jessica believed


    she had won, but Stanley had never let go of Wendy.


    Even though Wendy wasn''t there anymore, she was still the insurmountable barrier between Stanley a


    sica.


    Wendy hadn''t even done anything, yet it always felt like Jessica kept losing.


    The bitterness swelled in Jessica''s chest. She just couldn''t ept


    Ang, sitting in her wheelchair, was clearly irritated. "You''ve really lost your mind! Wendy''s long gone, left with another man. And here you are, stuck waiting for her like a fool. You should appreciate what''s in front of you-Jessica is the one who deserves


    you."


    Stanley still didn''t look back. After a brief silence, he spoke again, is voice firm.


    "The only person I''ve ever loved is Wendy. I loved her then, I love her now, and I''l love her forever."


    With that, he strode upstairs, his tall,manding figure quickly disappearing into his study.


    Ang clenched her hands in frustration. "Stanley is so stubborn! What''s so great about Wendy?"


    She turned tofort Jessica, cing a hand on her shoulder.


    "Don''t worry, Jessica. Wendy won''t being back. Stanley wille around. You''re the only one I''ve chosen to be my daughter-inw."