A sharp pulse of fury pounded behind Denis’s temples. His hands clenched into fists on the desk as the implications sank in.
It was a billion-dollar contract—one his father had been counting on to revitalize their company’s reputation. Losing it now wouldn’t just be a setback—it could be a signal to other clients that the Beaumont Group was no longer reliable.
If one client canceled the collaboration with them, the rest could also follow suit.
His lips pulled into a thin line. "Set a eting with Marsh Tech imdiately," he ordered coldly.
Haris didn’t respond right away. His voice dropped an octave when he finally spoke. "I don’t know if it will work. The managing director of Marsh Tech... is eting Mr. Augustine today. They are finalizing the deal."
Silence.
Denis sat motionless, the truth cutting deep. His eyes narrowed into slits. Of course, Augustine was involved. It was a calculated and precise move, a direct hit to them.
His face darkened with restrained rage. Augustine was stealing clients, the projects, and deliberately ssing with them.
Denis scoffed bitterly under his breath and muttered, "Since you are eager to play this ga, dear cousin... I’ll entertain you."
He wouldn’t just sit back and watch Augustine destroy them. If Augustine wanted a war, Denis was more than willing to fight.
"Haris, prepare to go abroad," he said in a serious tone. "I’d like to et Mr. Benette in person and talk to him about the collaboration. We’ll leave right after the engagent party."
"I’ll prepare for it."
~~~~~~~~~~
Anne’s phone buzzed unexpectedly. She glanced at the screen and frowned. "Denis?"
She hesitated, debating whether to ignore it, but eventually let out a breath and answered. "Hello?"
"Anne, it’s ... Denis," ca the voice on the other end, carrying a note of remorse. "Thanks for not blocking ."
Anne’s tone turned cold. "I don’t have ti for this. Just say what you need to say."
"I wanted to apologize," Denis said softly. "I know I hurt you. I’ve been thinking about everything I did... and I regret it. I really do. I’m sorry, Anne. Will you forgive ?"
Anne rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Glad to hear you’ve finally grown a conscience," she said curtly. "But I don’t need your apology. A simple ’sorry’ doesn’t undo the damage. If you are really remorseful, just stay out of my life."
She was about to hang up when Denis’s voice stopped her.
"Wait, please—don’t hang up."
There was a brief pause. Then he continued, slower this ti. "I’ve made a decision. I won’t bother you anymore. And I won’t get in the way of you and Augustine. I won’t try to win you back. I an it."
Anne froze. That wasn’t what she expected. The Denis she knew had always been arrogant, entitled, and manipulative. But now... he sounded almost sincere.
Doubts crept into her mind.
’Was he telling the truth? Had he really changed?’ she thought, her guard still up but her curiosity now stirred.
"I’m going to be a father soon," Denis added, his voice gentler than she rembered. "Tania and I are getting married. I want to do things right this ti... be a better man, a good father. No more gas. No more hurting others."
Anne stayed silent, unsure how to react.
A strange flicker of emotion stirred in her chest. Denis, who once took her love for granted, was now trying to beco a better person for a child who had not even existed.
For a brief second, she felt the urge to reveal the truth about Tania’s fake pregnancy, but she stopped herself.
No.
This was the price Denis had to pay. He had cheated on her, and now he would suffer its consequences.
"I’d like to see you," Denis said suddenly. "Just one al. Consider it an apology."
"There is no need," Anne replied coolly, trying to end the conversation.
"I’m not asking for forgiveness," Denis interjected. "I just want to share a al with you, that’s all. We spent three years together, Anne. Can’t we sit down and talk normally for the sake of the ti we spent together? I swear I won’t bother you after that."
Anne hesitated. She rembered the lingering suspicion that Augustine had soone keeping tabs on her. He had denied it, but the unease never fully left. If she t Denis, Augustine might find out—and she couldn’t risk any cracks forming between them.
"This isn’t possible," she said finally. "I’ve got a pile of work to finish, and I won’t leave the office. Besides, it’s not about forgiveness—I’ve moved on. What happened between us is behind . I let go of the past. You should do the sa."
"Anne... I really need to see you. There is sothing important I have to tell you," Denis pleaded, almost desperate.
But Anne had heard enough. "I’m hanging up now. Don’t call again," she said coldly, ending the call without a mont’s pause.
Denis stared at the phone, his jaw tightening. "You foolish woman," he muttered bitterly. "I’m trying to protect you from a monster like Augustine, and you won’t even listen."
In frustration, he flung his phone onto the table, the muscles in his face twitching with suppressed rage. But a cooler voice inside his head urged restraint. This wasn’t the ti for reckless emotion.
He drew in a long breath and composed himself. "This won’t work if I lose control," he whispered. "If I want to destroy Augustine, I need to be smarter."
His gaze sharpened. "Anne is his soft spot. She is the crack in his armor. If she turns her back on him, he’ll unravel."
A crooked smirk crept across his face. "She won’t stay by his side once she finds out who he really is. No woman would stay with a man involved in the criminal underworld. Once she learns the truth about Augustine—who he really is—she won’t be able to look at him the sa way."
Without wasting another second, Denis grabbed his phone and stood up. "If she won’t co to see , I’ll go to her myself."
He strode out the door, purpose in his every step. On the way, he stopped at a florist and picked up a bouquet. Then he made his way to Starlite Corp.
According to his sources, Augustine had already left for his eting. That ant Anne would be alone. It was the perfect mont to talk to her.
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