The Wedding Day Call

I stood by the office's floor-to-ceiling window, watching the endless flow of cars below. The bankruptcy notice sprawled across the table felt like a heavy stone pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. My phone rang abruptly. I glanced at the caller ID—it was Leah Quentin's father. I took a deep breath and pressed the answer button. "Lucien Xavier, come to my company. I have something to discuss with you." The voice on the other end was cold, utterly devoid of warmth. I hung up, grabbed my coat, and walked out of the place I had struggled in for five years. Leah Quentin's father's company was housed in the most luxurious office building in the city center. After the front desk notified him, I was taken up to the CEO's office on the top floor. Leah's father sat behind the massive desk, a cigar clenched between his fingers. Without even glancing at me, he pulled a bank card from the drawer and tossed it onto the desk. "There's fifty million on this card." His voice dripping with disdain, he said, "Take this money and leave Leah." I fixed my gaze on the bank card lying on the desk, its surface shining coldly under the light. That fifty million felt like a resounding slap, striking me hard across the face. I know. He has always looked down on me, thinking I'm not worthy of his daughter. Now that the company is bankrupt, he's even more convinced I have no right to stay by Leah Quentin's side. I said nothing. Slowly, I bent down and picked up the bank card. "I will leave her." My voice was low, but carried an unwavering firmness that allowed no doubt. Leah's father nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand, signaling I could go. I turned and walked out of the office without looking back. Outside the office building, a light rain had begun to fall. The rain hit my face, cold and biting to the bone. I gripped the bank card tightly, with only one thought in my mind: I must rise again, and this time, even higher. I can't let Leah Quentin suffer along with me, nor can I allow others to look down on me. I returned to the rented room and packed a few simple belongings. Staring at the photo of Leah and me on the wall, she was smiling so brightly. I gently stroked her face in the photo, silently repeating in my heart: Leah, wait for me—I promise I'll come back and give you the best life. I opened my computer and transferred all my assets, including the house I'd just put a down payment on, into Leah Quentin's name. After finishing everything, I shut down the computer and deleted every contact related to Leah Quentin. I couldn't let her find me; I couldn't let her see me in my current disgrace. The next day, I left the city where I had lived for so many years and went alone to City G. City G is a place full of opportunities and challenges, as well as a gathering spot for the wealthy. I knew it would be hard to establish myself here. But I had no other choice. Clutching that fifty million, I began searching for investment opportunities. At first, no one believed in me—an outsider who had just gone bankrupt. I faced rejection time and again, hitting dead end after dead end. But I never gave up. During the day, I ran to every company I could find, searching for collaboration opportunities. At night, I stayed in my rented room, studying business knowledge and analyzing market trends. Heaven rewards those who are diligent. At a business cocktail party, I met a real estate tycoon. I presented him with a bold investment proposal. At first, he wasn't interested, but after my detailed analysis and arguments, he finally agreed to give me a chance. I seized the opportunity, pouring every ounce of effort into making the project thrive. The success of this project allowed me to emerge prominently in the business world of City G. More and more people began to take notice of me.