Chapter 399 I Am Back
When I returned to the country, I realized that everything seemed to have changed a lot. I had not stepped foot in the country for a year, and although it had not been a long time, every day of that one year was agonizing for me. There was not a single day that I did not look forward to returning to the country.
That day had finally arrived. Soon, I would be able to see my child and the Shaws. That time around, I was not going to show them any mercy.
When I arrived at Nifty Group’s branch office, I discovered that the employees had been recruited before we came. After getting down from the car, I followed behind Nicholas. He was wearing a pure black suit, and so was I. Ever since we left for Anglandur, Nicholas said I had developed a stronger character, but at the same time, I lost some of my feminine charms.
I gave no response to his comment. Whether or not I had feminine charms was irrelevant to me. As a matter of fact, I even wished I was no longer a woman.
When Nicholas and I entered the office, the employees immediately greeted us.
Upon entering Nicholas’ office, he told me that our mission there was to dominate the local market. Simultaneously, if possible, we would be taking over the Shaw family’s company as well.
I remained silent as I listened to Nicholas go on about the details of the plan. Truthfully, I still felt a little hesitant about it.
Noticing my silence, he threw me a curious look and asked softly, “What’s the matter? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“I’m fine,” I replied once I returned to my senses. At the same time, I quickly repressed my panic and did my best to sound as calm as possible.
At that, Nicholas drew his brows together and asked, “It seems like you’re reluctant to do it. Have you forgotten how the Shaws treated you?”
His tone was flat, but I could tell he was trying to give me a reminder.
“I won’t. How can I possibly forget how they’ve treated me back then? Their cruelty is that one thing I will never forget even till the last day of my life!”
After hearing Nicholas’ words, I hardened my heart again. Gone was the slight hesitance I felt earlier. In comparison with how wicked they had been to me, I was very merciful.
“Good. You have to remember that your kindness toward them is cruelty to yourself. You have to do this if you want to get your child back,” Nicholas reminded again, as though he was still worried that I would back down.
“I know what I should do. You don’t need to keep reminding me about it.”
Of course, I knew his repetitive reminder was because he was afraid my hesitance would ruin his plan. I was annoyed by that, but he was the only one who could help me. The two of us were in the same boat.
“Good. I was scared that you’d return to your past self after coming back and forget the agonizing days you’ve been through the past year.”
Perhaps he had sensed my anger as he fell silent after that. All he did was flash me a smile.
“No one knows that better than me. I know what I should do. Please excuse me now. I have something to do.”
Not wanting to continue the topic, I rose to my feet and walked out of his office before he could say anything else.
An unfathomable look crossed Nicholas’ frowning face as he watched me leave.
After leaving the branch office, I went to the neighborhood that Michael used to let me live in. I did not know why I went there. My legs brought me to that area without me realizing it.
Honestly, I knew that I had not let go of the matter yet. It was impossible to let go of someone I had loved so deeply.
However, at the same time, he and his family were the reason for my change in personality. No matter how much I still loved him, I would not humble myself as I used to anymore. I would not let anyone manipulate me, nor would I ever let myself feel that helpless again.
After glancing at the house I used to live in, I turned and left. I did not return to be hesitant. By hook or by crook, I had to get my child back.
The first task I received from Nicholas since coming back to the country was to head to Michael’s company to discuss a collaboration.
At the start, I was against it. However, Nicholas managed to convince me by saying that I could not avoid meeting Michael after returning to the country.
Hence, I ended up agreeing to it and went to Joyful Success Advertisements.
When I reached the office, many employees turned to look at me. As I had worked there before, they knew who I was. Perhaps my sudden appearance puzzled them.
I then went to the reception, and when the receptionist saw me, she was baffled.
“My name is Anna Garcia, and I’m the director of Nifty Group. I’ve made an appointment with your CEO to meet at ten in the morning,” I said as she stared at me in shock.
“You’re Nifty Group’s director?”
The receptionist gasped, seemingly still in disbelief.
I frowned in displeasure at her continuous staring and said coldly, “Is there any problems with that? My secretary has already made an appointment with your CEO.”
If it were in the past, I would have explained it to her patiently, but as of then, I did not have the patience.
“N-No… I’ll inform the CEO’s secretary now…”
Seemingly sensing my vexation, the receptionist uttered that sentence hastily before calling Michael’s secretary.
Five minutes later, I arrived at the meeting room. Once upon a time, I used to work in that company for a while. Being back at the building gave me a vague sense of familiarity.
After I sat down on a chair in the meeting room, my heart lurched at the thought of meeting Michael again.
It had been a year, and I wondered if he still remembered how heartless his family was to me.
Just as I let my mind wander, someone opened the door to the meeting room. Then, a slender figure appeared in my line of sight.
Michael was wearing a pure black suit, and his handsome face was devoid of expressions. Compared to a year ago, he seemed to have become more mature and reliable. At the same time, something about the way he carried himself deterred others from coming close to him.
Even after entering the room, he did not spare a glance at me. It was as if I was nothing but air. He was as prideful as always.
“Mr. Shaw, it’s been a long time.”
Although my heart raced at the sight of him, the most intense emotion I felt was resentment. It was especially so when I thought about how he had fled overseas to hide for the sake of getting a divorce from me.
I wondered how he felt when he saw me again.
Nevertheless, I kept a mocking smile on my lips as I stared at him frostily.
Upon hearing my voice, Michael visibly jerked before turning around to look at me in surprise.
“Anna, it’s you!”
He then strode toward me and put his hands on my shoulders.
His voice was so excited that it seemed as though he was thrilled to see me.
Still, I stared at him in utter indifference. The man before me appeared in my dreams every night for the past year, but I felt nothing but abhorrence for him.
