Chapter 2

On my first night in the new place, I opened a bottle of champagne.

The apartment was a single-floor unit by the river, and the floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the whole city.

Dana had once said he'd bring me here to live after we got married.

The marriage never happened, but the house came to me first.

My assistant, Valerie, crouched on the carpet, unpacking a box.

"Gertrude, are we really throwing all this out?"

The box was full of gifts Dana had given me.

A watch, a bag, and a little rabbit figurine he'd brought back for me from his first business trip.

I picked up the figurine and looked at it. One of the rabbit's ears had broken off.

I couldn't remember what day it had broken, and I couldn't remember what day Dana's heart had changed either.

"Donate them. Call it charity."

Valerie paused.

"You're not keeping a single one?"

"They'd just take up space."

I carried my glass over to the window.

"From now on I'm going to fill this place with things worth a lot more."

At ten the next morning, the handover materials arrived right on time.

Dana was a man of his word, after all.

The property deeds for the shops in the downtown financial district, the keys to several apartments, and the compensation money were all laid out in front of me.

I went through them page by page.

Valerie watched beside me, her eyes glazing over.

"My God, Dana's handed you half his net worth."

"That's guilt. He's spending money to buy himself an easy conscience."

"So do you still feel bad?"

I was silent for a few seconds.

"Honestly, there's still a knot in my chest."

"But the moment the money hit my account, the knot loosened a little."

That made Valerie laugh.

A little after midnight, Dana called.

I watched the screen ring for a long time before I answered.

"Mr. Gilbert, what brings you calling this late at night?"

Two seconds of silence on the other end.

"You moved fast."

"Efficient. Less to worry about."

"The person handling the shops said you're demanding the transfer of ownership tomorrow."

"What, is Mr. Gilbert going to stand me up?"

"I promised you. Of course it stands."

He paused.

"I just don't think you need to be in such a rush."

I leaned back on the sofa, turning my glass in my hand.

"Mr. Gilbert, you ran off pretty fast on our wedding day. I'm only following your example."

His breathing grew heavier on the line.

"Gertrude, I know you hate me."

"Hate's too strong a word."

"I'm quite busy right now. Shops, houses, cash—millions changing hands by the minute. If Mr. Gilbert feels the sting and thinks he's overpaid, he can knock some off anytime."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then don't get in the way of me making my fortune."

I hung up.

The next afternoon, Dana asked me to meet him at a restaurant.

I hadn't wanted to go, but Valerie reminded me there were two authorization documents on the shops that Dana and I had to sign at the same time.

So I had no choice but to walk in right on time.

Dana was already seated inside, a dark blue velvet box on the table.

The moment I sat down, he pushed it toward me.

"For you."

I opened it. A diamond necklace lay inside.

Dana stared at me.

"I passed the counter yesterday and saw it. I thought it would suit you."

"Then thank you for the reward, boss."

I picked it up and handed it straight to Valerie.

"Put it in the bag. Careful you don't knock it."

Dana froze.

"You... you're just going to take it like that?"

I looked at him.

"When the top donor wants to send gifts, why turn them down? We each get what we need. Very harmonious."

The door suddenly swung open.

Marina walked in wearing a red dress and high heels. When she saw the necklace on the table, her face fell in an instant.

"Dana, why are you meeting with her again?"

Dana frowned.

"We're handling an asset transfer. What are you doing here?"

Marina came over to my side, her eyes landing on the documents by my hand.

"You're already divorced, and you're still clinging to him with all this? Gertrude Henson, you've got quite the appetite."

I looked up and smiled at her.

"Ms. Fox, you really do let your imagination run. I'm not interested in Dana as a person. I'm only interested in the money he's handing over."

"If it really bothers you, you can talk him into giving less. I'm very easy to deal with."

Marina was shaking with fury.

"Have you no shame?"

I picked up the bill on the table and glanced at it.

"I set up this meal for the document handover. I've covered Mr. Gilbert's portion. Ms. Fox, your portion—you'll have to pay your own way on that one."

Marina's face went red, then white.

Dana stared at me, the emotion in his eyes growing darker and darker.

I stood, handing the signed documents to Valerie.

"Mr. Gilbert, have your people contact Valerie for the rest of the handover. Ms. Fox, enjoy your meal."

My phone buzzed as I walked out of the private dining room.

A bank alert: thirty million deposited, with the note: Compensation.

I smiled and sent Dana one line back.

Got it. Mr. Gilbert, very generous!

A few seconds later, his call came through again.

I just powered off the phone.

Valerie stared at me.

"Gertrude, are we still going to that auction tomorrow to join the fun?"

I picked up the invitation. It bore the name of that plot of land in the development zone.

"Of course we're going."

"But Dana will be there too."

"Then all the more reason to go. A battlefield like that—how thrilling."