Chapter 350 Teresa, I Need Your Help
"Liam, Liam."
Knowing Liam had stepped out on business, Faith went straight to the Evans Group building to wait for him.
Since Faith's split from Liam hadn't been announced yet, the security guards and receptionists continued to see them as a couple. This meant Faith could move around without any trouble, as she was still granted access as Liam's partner.Faith's breakup with Liam had yet to be made public, so the security guards and receptionists still treated them as a couple, naturally allowing Faith access without obstruction.
After waiting for over an hour in the lobby of the Evans Group's office building, Liam finally returned.
Faith quickly stood up and approached him.
However, Liam acted as if she wasn't even there, striding past her toward the private elevator.
Both the security guard and the receptionist in the lobby were stunned by this scene.
Was Liam ignoring Faith? Could it be that they had broken up?
It was evident from Liam's attitude, but at this point, Faith couldn't afford to care about appearances; she hurried after him.
"Liam, listen to me. I swear it wasn't intentional. Emily and I are friends. We met overseas, and I just had a bit too much to drink with her. I complained about some stuff without realizing Diana's boyfriend was Emily's brother. That's how everything got messed up." Faith caught up with Liam and immediately started explaining.
She wasn't being dishonest; she had indeed gone out with Emily the night before. They had drinks together, and even if Liam had someone look into it, they wouldn't find anything suspicious.She wasn't lying; she had gone out with Emily the previous night. They had drinks, and even if Liam had someone investigate, they wouldn't find any discrepancies.
"Liam, I'm sorry." Faith continued, seeing no sign of reaction from him. As he was about to step into the elevator, she frantically reached out and grabbed his hand, pleading, "I won't make any more careless mistakes, Liam. Please, I beg you, just give me one last chance, okay?"
Liam didn't want to acknowledge her presence, but when she grabbed his hand, he didn't want to appear too unkind in front of the other employees by forcefully pushing her away. Instead of shaking her off, he just gave her a cold, sideways glance and spoke firmly.Liam didn't want to acknowledge her; however, now that she had grabbed his hand, he didn't want to be too heartless in front of other employees by harshly shrugging her off. So, instead of shaking her off, he just gave her a cold sidelong glance and commanded sternly, "Let go."
"Liam, please, just one last chance. I'll never mess up again," Faith pleaded, holding his hand tighter, tears starting to glimmer in her eyes, "You said before that we could still be friends if I broke up with you and that the partnership with the Evans Group and my family's business would continue. Were those lies?"
Liam gave her a slight squint but didn't let go of her hand. His tone remained unemotionally detached, "So, when do you plan on announcing our breakup?"
He never preferred being too harsh with women. Just like with Diana, when she chose to stay, he didn't protest. And Lauren, if Yvonne hadn't intervened, would be doing fine now.He never liked to be too harsh with women.
Just like with Diana, when she decided to stay, he didn't object.
And Lauren, if Yvonne hadn't manipulated her, would be doing well now.
"Right now. As long as you don't cancel the partnership with my family, I'll announce our breakup this instant and never bother you again nor cause any more trouble," Faith assured him immediately.
She finally saw it clearly.: Sshe meant less to Liam than a secretary.
She couldn't compete with Liam's power, and it certainly wasn't worth risking her family's well-being for a man who didn't love her. No, it was far from worth it.
"So, how do you plan to break it to everyone?" Liam asked, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
"We just didn't click. We've decided to stay friends," Faith replied, her voice laced with a newfound hope.
Liam nodded. "Once you've made the announcement, I'll reconsider the partnership between Evans Group and the Shaw family."
Faith was quick to take the hint—Liam wasn't looking to destroy her outright.
After all, having more friends was always better than having more enemies.
"I'll make the post now," Faith said, letting go of Liam's hand as she reached for her phone. She intended to announce the breakup on her Facebook.
"No rush. Think over your wording before you post." Liam's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and his voice carried a stern warning,: "Remember, you don't get unlimited chances, Faith. This is the last time."
"Liam, I understand. Thank you!" Faith looked at him, feigning overwhelming gratitude.
She knew she couldn't afford to cross Liam. Remaining friends was the best outcome for her.
"Make sure you do," Liam said, casting one final glance at Faith before striding into the elevator.
Faith watched the elevator doors close, cutting her off from Liam. As soon as they sealed shut, the gratitude and smile vanished from her face.
Resentment and frustration could bubble inside, but what good would it do? In a world where only the strong thrive, the weak must bow.
......
"Liam, these documents need your signature."
That afternoon, Diana returned to the office as if nothing had happened.
Liam looked up from his desk, where he sat in the executive chair typing away, to see Diana standing before him.
Compared to that morning, the only difference was the silk scarf wrapped around her neck.
Yet, even the scarf couldn't fully hide the love bites that peppered her skin.
Knowing exactly what those marks signified, Liam, an experienced man, didn't have to guess.
Diana had been with Douglas again. Liam had no right to object, but to say he felt no stir of emotion would be a lie.
Emily caused quite the stir this morning, and Douglas found out about what happened in the car that day—Faith spilled the beans," Liam said, his gaze briefly sweeping past Diana's neck, then growing somber before locking onto her face. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he added, "But she's promised there won't be a next time."
"Okay, thank you, Liam."
The casual drift of Liam's eyes over her, coupled with the sudden shadow that crossed his expression, sent Diana's heart racing into her throat.
But she quickly regrouped, managing a small, formal smile in response.
"Why are you thanking me? I'm the one who caused the trouble," Liam said, the corners of his mouth turning up with ambiguous intent. He then lowered his eyes, picked up the documents Diana had left on his desk, and started to leaf through them.
Diana watched him, knowing both of them were too clever not to see through each other. Chances were, Liam had already figured out what had happened between her and Douglas that morning.
The one thing men hated and couldn't abide was knowing a woman they'd been with had slept with another man.
And what kind of man was Liam? He was the kind that looked down upon the world from the pinnacle, the kind women longed for but could never hope to attain.
How could he tolerate his woman being with another man?
The only consolation she had was that she wasn't yet his woman; she was still Douglas's girlfriend. Because of that, she could still present a bold front in Liam's presence.
"I'll be more careful next time and keep my issues out of the workplace," Diana stated with a forced calm and a lingering smile. "If there's nothing else, I'll head out."
Liam nodded without looking up from his documents and said nothing further.
With another smile, Diana turned and left the office.
"Wow, check this out. Faith just announced that she and our Liam had broken up."
Stepping out from Liam's office and passing by the secretarial pool, Diana overheard one of them, phone in hand, whispering excitedly to her colleagues.
"What? Did they break up? Why?" another asked.
"They said it was due to irreconcilable differences and that they'll remain friends."
"I thought Faith and our Liam were well-matched. Why would they split up so abruptly? Could it be..."
"Are you gossiping on company time? I'm not afraid Liam might hear you," Diana interjected, timely interrupting their chatter.
"Diana, it's just such juicy news. We were having a quick chat," one of the secretaries replied with a grin.
