When I received Blake's tenth-anniversary gift, I had just finished operating on Old Mr. Sterling.
The blood vessels in his brain were severely adhered, and this type of surgery couldn't be performed domestically, so he had to be sent abroad.
Fortunately, the surgery was successful. Before I even left the operating room, I heard the excited voice of my young assistant, "Scarlett, Mr. Sterling has sent you a tenth-anniversary gift!"
"It's said to be invaluable. Mr. Sterling had people bid for ten consecutive nights to secure it. Mr. Sterling really cares about you!"
A smile curved my lips.
Blake and I had known each other since we were young, and we had been together for ten years now. Even when his grandfather's health became an issue and needed long-term care, I gave up the opportunity to return home and brought him abroad to focus on his recovery.
During those days and nights of caring for the patient, Blake had been heartbroken for me countless times. He even wanted me to find someone to temporarily take my place so I could fly back and reunite with him.
But I refused all such offers.
His grandfather's condition was critical, and no one could tell when problems might arise. In a crisis, only I could save his life.
Blake saw my dedication and made a promise over the phone from across the ocean.
"Scarlett, you're so good."
"The day my grandfather fully recovers and is discharged, I'll marry you."
I believed this wholeheartedly and even began to anticipate Blake's gift. Could it be an engagement ring?
Or would he come in person, kneeling before me on one knee, promising a lifetime of love?
I was incredibly nervous as I took a deep breath and pushed open the door of the operating room.
Blake wasn't outside the door, but there was a handsome, tall waiter holding a beautiful box standing there.
When I saw the words "Stardust Legacy" printed largely on the box, my heart sank, and even the joy of receiving a gift was diminished by half.
The waiter opened the box and respectfully said, "Miss Thorne, congratulations on your tenth anniversary with Mr. Sterling."
In that instant, I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cave.
However, my colleagues curiously peeked over.
A jade bracelet, completely green without a single impurity, lay quietly in the brocade box, as beautiful as a landscape painting.
Everyone exclaimed in admiration.
"What a beautiful jade bracelet!"
"It must be worth at least several billion dollars, right?"
"Are you kidding? This is the treasure of Stardust Legacy. How could it be worth just a few billion? At least hundreds of billions!"
"Scarlett, your boyfriend really treats you well!"
Amidst the envious congratulations around me, I stood there in a daze.
I stared at the priceless jade bracelet before me, hardly believing my own eyes.
Blake… why would he send me this at a time like this?
Like a madwoman, I rushed to the office, grabbed my phone, and called Blake to question him, "Why did you send me this?"
"Do you like it?" Blake's voice sounded on the other end of the phone, as gentle as ever.
"I picked it out especially for you. It's the most suitable tenth-anniversary gift."
Suitable?
The owner of Stardust Legacy… was the culprit who drove my parents to death and caused my family's bankruptcy!
I had never felt so powerless before.
I had been with Blake for ten years.
In those ten years, I had never asked anything of Blake. Even when he wanted to build his own career and kept postponing our long-due marriage, I had no complaints.
For him, I could wait. I could even sacrifice my best years, give up a career that should have been within my grasp, and wholeheartedly stay abroad, joining a hospital I didn't even like, just to better care for his family members.
But all my dedication was exchanged for such an unbearable gift!
A gift from the company of my enemy, the last thing I wanted to see…
"Blake, do you remember our promise?" I asked.
Gripping the phone tightly, my voice was faint and weak. Blake on the other end seemed not to have heard my words and frowned, asking, "What?"
I struggled to open my mouth, but before I could speak of the promise that made my heart ache, a sweet female voice sounded from the other end of the phone.
"Blake, aren't you going to sleep? I've drawn the bath for you. If you don't wash soon, it'll get cold."
"Alright, I'm coming," Blake responded. My body felt as if it had plunged into an icy cave.
There's a time difference between home and abroad. While it was bright as day on my end, it should have been deep night on Blake's end.
Why would there be a woman with him in the dead of night?
And she even thoughtfully drew his bath and urged him to sleep?
All the blood in my body turned cold. Although I already knew the answer, I still gritted my teeth and asked him, "It's so late, who are you with?"
Blake didn't answer my question. Instead, the woman's crisp voice took over Blake's phone and responded to me.
"Miss Thorne, do you like the tenth-anniversary gift Blake had me send you?"
So that's how it is…
I laughed bitterly.
After being together for ten years, Stardust Legacy and that bracelet had always been a pain in my heart. Blake couldn't possibly have forgotten!
Our promise… there was no reason he couldn't remember it clearly.
Unless… his heart had changed, and he wanted to force me to leave.
Tears silently slid down my cheeks. I wanted to ask Blake why he was doing this to me, but in the end, I just wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes and said only one sentence.
"Blake, let's break up!"
"What are you going on about?" Blake frowned on the other end of the phone. Even the female voice hurriedly explained.
"Miss Thorne, don't misunderstand. It's raining outside, and my clothes got wet. Blake is just lending me a place to change. We're not that kind of relationship…"
But I had no mood to listen anymore. I directly hung up the phone, then blocked and deleted everything related to Blake.
Sitting quietly in the office, I didn't know what I had done wrong for Blake to treat me this way.
We had been together for ten years, always the envy of others in our circle as a perfect couple.
Even when my family went bankrupt and I got accepted into a top foreign university but was about to give up due to the high tuition fees, Blake was the first to stand up and cover all the expenses for my study abroad.
He said, "It's nothing, just some tuition fees! Even if you wanted stars from the sky, I'd buy them for you!"
I didn't want stars; I just wanted Blake to be well.
After my family went bankrupt, The Sterling Family didn't approve of us continuing our relationship. They even arranged new blind dates for Blake. When Blake refused, The Sterling Family cut off his financial support.
The tuition fees that Blake called "just a drizzle" were actually raised by selling his 18th birthday gift and borrowing from others.
I didn't want to burden Blake, so I suggested breaking up.
Then, I tore up my university admission letter.
That was the first time Blake got angry with me.
He furiously found me at my part-time job, grabbed my arm with reddened eyes, and asked what I was trying to do.
"Scarlett, tell me honestly, do you really want to break up with me, or are you worried about something else?"
"If you really want to break up, I'll let you go. I'll cover all your tuition and living expenses until you graduate and can support yourself."
"If it's for other reasons, Scarlett, I beg you, don't give up on me, okay?"
Blake's plea left an imprint on my heart. We reconciled and made a secret agreement.
I would use the money Blake gave me to study abroad, while Blake would follow The Sterling Family's arrangements and enter The Sterling Group.
When I returned after completing my studies, and when he had achieved success, we would be able to withstand all pressures and be together openly and proudly.
We did achieve that.
In those ten years, I studied abroad relentlessly, from undergraduate to research to doctorate, becoming the youngest fellow at one of the world's top 3 universities.
Countless companies offered me olive branches, willing to meet any conditions I set if I joined them.
Blake also weathered the storms, transforming from a teenager to someone everyone respectfully addressed as Mr. Sterling. Only I knew how difficult those years had been for him.
Fortunately, we persevered to see the light. The opposition from The Sterling Family grew weaker, and I was preparing to return home country to embrace my career and love.
But suddenly, Blake's grandfather was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. There were no medical conditions to treat it domestically, and even abroad, only top experts in a few hospitals dared to try.
During that time, Blake visibly lost weight.
Blake had lost his father at a young age, and his grandfather had raised him single-handedly. When my family went bankrupt and everyone opposed our relationship, it was his grandfather who called Blake into the study room alone and taught him the importance of cherishing what he had.
You could say that his grandfather was not just Blake's grandpa and father, but also a mentor in his life's journey, and even the matchmaker for us – he was my benefactor!
I made the decision without hesitation to stay abroad and use my knowledge to seek a miracle for his grandfather.
I did it. After three years of tireless care, I snatched Blake's grandfather back from the jaws of death.
But my lover betrayed our love.
I flew back to aboard a month later.
Although Blake's grandfather's surgery was successful, he still needed further observation.
Even though I had broken up with Blake, I wasn't heartless. I still took meticulous care of his grandfather until his condition met the discharge standards.
Blake's grandfather was perceptive and soon noticed something was amiss. He proactively asked if Blake and I had a conflict, but I shook my head in denial.
He was still in recovery, and his emotions shouldn't fluctuate too much.
With a sigh, Old Mr. Sterling spoke to me sincerely, his tone filled with indescribable melancholy.
"Scarlett, I've watched your relationship with Blake grow. I know how difficult the journey has been for both of you."
"It's inevitable for young people to argue and bicker, but it would be a waste of a lifetime to give up on each other over trivial matters."
But Old Mr. Sterling would never know that Blake and I never argued, and the issues between us were never trivial.
The tenth-anniversary gift Blake sent me was the last thing I wanted to see – my mother's masterpiece.
He knew very well about the nightmare in my heart, yet he still sent that thing that stabbed me in the heart. I could only leave voluntarily to avoid appearing too pathetic.
After handling the discharge procedures for Old Mr. Sterling and personally sending him to the airport, I had specifically reminded Old Mr. Sterling to call Blake to pick him up at the airport. However, when we landed, the airport was completely empty without a single person from The Sterling Family.
What's going on? Has Blake, with his new love, stopped caring even about his own grandfather?
I took out my phone, still hesitating whether to unblock Blake, when the flight attendant pushed Old Mr. Sterling to me.
"Miss, isn't this elderly gentleman your grandfather? How could you leave him alone on the plane? It's too dangerous!"
I opened my mouth, but before I could explain, Old Mr. Sterling's face showed an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry, Scarlett. You told me to call Blake, but I forgot. Why don't I call him now and ask him to come pick me up?"
Blake's company was far from the airport. Even if he left now, it would take an hour and a half.
Moreover, having been with Blake for so long, I knew his habits well. At 10:30 in the morning, he should be in his morning meeting, with his phone turned off.
After a moment's hesitation, I directly took Old Mr. Sterling's wheelchair from the flight attendant.
"Mr. Sterling might not be able to make it in time. Let me take you home."
The Sterling Family's house was still the same. I knocked on the door, and the maid who came to open it was very enthusiastic, saying, "Miss Lockhart, you're back? You left in such a hurry this morning that you even forgot your bag. I wanted to give you a call, but found your phone was turned off…"
The maid's words came to an abrupt halt when she saw my face outside the door, and even the smile on her face froze.
I asked her, "Who is Miss Lockhart?"
She lowered her head guiltily, but then Old Mr. Sterling's wife's voice came from the living room.
"Is that Emma? Why aren't you coming in? Didn't you say you were going to have lunch with Blake today to keep me company?"
The maid was so frightened she didn't dare to breathe. I pushed the wheelchair with Blake's grandfather and entered the living room.
"Why is it you?" When Old Mr. Sterling's wife looked up after hearing the movement, the joy in her eyes vanished instantly upon seeing me.
Although she didn't say anything, I could see everything in her expression and attitude.
Miss Lockhart… must be the person who urged Blake to take a bath that night a month ago, right?
I didn't expect her to move into The Sterling Family so quickly.
Well, when Blake fought tooth and nail for me years ago, he didn't quite break with The Sterling Family, but his desperate attitude nearly scared half the life out of everyone in The Sterling Family.
Since then, Blake has rarely been interfered with no matter what he says or does, let alone the person he wants to bring home.
Old Mr. Sterling's wife should be happy, right?
Not wanting to think about these heartbreaking matters, I was about to push Blake's grandfather upstairs when Old Mr. Sterling's wife gestured to the maid to stop me.
"Scarlett, The Sterling Family is very grateful for everything you've done for Blake's grandfather, but if you think this will get you married into The Sterling Family, you're being too naive."
"Here's a check of million dollars. Leave Blake."
Old Mr. Sterling's wife's check was right in front of my eyes, a amount with the number 1 followed by six zeros.
A light piece of paper, attempting to buy out ten years of love between Blake and me.
Old Mr. Sterling on the wheelchair changed face color instantly and questioned his wife sternly about what she was trying to do.
But Old Mr. Sterling's wife's expression remained calm. "She took care of you for so long, The Sterling Family won't mistreat her. A million dollars should be enough as her compensation."
"But I absolutely refuse to let her marry Blake. Our Blake should marry a better girl, not a parasite like her whose family went bankrupt and who still shamelessly clings to her boyfriend to send her to school!"
Old Mr. Sterling's wife's evaluation of me was very low, as if I were a tumor parasitizing on Blake.
But what she didn't know was that all these years I've been studying abroad, it wasn't just for my ideals and ambitions, but also for Blake.
The Sterling Family is in the pharmaceutical business, and many of my thesis and research results have been selflessly contributed to The Sterling Group.
It could be said that at least half of The Sterling Group's current glory is due to my efforts.
Unfortunately, she doesn't know, and I'm not willing to mention it anymore.
Even though Blake's grandfather still wanted to argue for me, I simply took the check in front of me.
Under Old Mr. Sterling's wife's contemptuous gaze, I asked her, "Did Blake ask you to do this?"
Old Mr. Sterling's wife didn't directly answer my question, instead saying, "You and Blake are not suitable."
"Emma is a proper young lady from a good family. She is the daughter-in-law I want in my heart."
Fine, at this point, I have nothing more to say.
I tore the check in my fingertips into pieces, casually tossed them away, and looking at Old Mr. Sterling's wife's extremely unsightly expression, I said word by word:
"Since The Sterling Family doesn't want to owe me anything, then let's settle the accounts properly before coming to find me."
"One million dollars for three years? In a foreign country, you couldn't even hire the most basic caregiver, let alone a surgeon of my caliber."
"If you want to repay, do it thoroughly. Don't make me look down on you."
Old Mr. Sterling's wife was almost driven to explosion by my words. I turned and left gracefully.
I didn't tell her that Blake's parting gift was worth much more than hers.
A full hundred billion dollars.
This was the sincerity of a wealthy family kicking out an unwanted daughter-in-law. Did she think she could dismiss me with a mere million?
I tried to make myself appear as relaxed as possible, but for some reason, my heart was incredibly bitter.
Blake's questioning came faster than I had imagined. That very afternoon, he called, saying he wanted to meet me face to face.
I originally didn't want to go, but we had been together for ten years after all.
In those ten years, my blood like already merged with his, turning us like into relatives without blood ties. Even at the moment of farewell, I wanted to see him one last time.
I went with the bracelet Blake had given me.
In an elegant restaurant, Blake sat with a woman. She adjusted his collar and carefully retied his loosened tie.
A doting smile hung constantly on his lips, and the two looked extremely affectionate, like a perfect couple.
My hand clutching the brocade box suddenly tightened, and the step I had taken forward was withdrawn.
She must be that Miss Lockhart who Blake held dear and whom the entire Sterling Family praised endlessly, right?
They do look good together.
Making me outside the window look like a clown in comparison.
Perhaps I shouldn't have come at all.
Blake waited in the restaurant for a long time, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. As the restaurant was about to close, he still hadn't seen any sign of me.
An impatient expression gradually appeared on his brow. Miss Lockhart, who was accompanying him, couldn't help but tug at his sleeve and whine.
"Blake, it's so late. Did Miss Thorne stand you up?"
"Why don't… we go back?"
Blake didn't say anything, just took out his phone from his pocket and called me.
The first time, I didn't answer.
The second time, I hung up.
Until Blake, with an irritated face, took Miss Lockhart's phone to call me, I hesitated for a moment before pressing the answer button.
"Where are you?" Blake's inquiry was simple and forceful, but I couldn't speak.
The scene of the two being intimate in the restaurant kept replaying in my mind, and I suddenly realized that I wasn't as calm as I had imagined.
I loved Blake as if he were a treasure, to the point where I would have no complaints even if he crushed and kneaded my sincere heart.
But I have my dignity. My family may have fallen, but the pride of the Thorne family cannot be lost.
Taking a deep breath, I replied to Blake, "At home."
I could clearly hear the displeasure in Blake's tone.
"Didn't you have an appointment today? Did you forget?"
"I didn't make an appointment with you," I said in a muffled tone. But Blake clearly had no interest in discussing this topic with me.
"What did you say to my grandmother when you went to my house this morning?"
"Scarlett, my grandmother's health is not good, can't you be more considerate?"
"And what's this about asking my family to settle all the medical expenses with you at once? Are you so desperate for money?"
My long silence was the only response to Blake.
Seeing that he couldn't get through to me on this matter, Blake also chose to give up, cutting to the chase.
"Forget it, go apologize to my grandmother tomorrow, and we'll call it even."
Even?
I don't know what attitude Blake had when he said these words, but in my heart, this matter could never be settled.
Just like the tenth-anniversary gift Blake sent me.
So I took a deep breath and told Blake over the phone, "I'm sorry."
"We've already broken up. I don't think I need to remain polite to the elders of an ex who tried to insult me, do I?"
"Scarlett!" But Blake was furious. He pressed his brow and seemed to be at the end of his patience with me.
"It's been a month, how long are you going to keep this up? Haven't I already told you? Emma and I are just work colleagues…"
"A secretary who needs to be brought along when discussing matters with an ex-girlfriend?" My words completely exhausted Blake's patience.
"Scarlett, you're becoming more and more unreasonable."
"You don't have to apologize if you don't want to, but my grandmother will absolutely not let you into the sterling family!"
"As you wish, after all, we've already broken up."
Click!
Blake hung up the phone.
He seemed very angry, even irritably pushing away the glass of water Emma handed him.
The water in the glass spilled onto Emma's leg.
Faced with her aggrieved expression, Blake's face finally softened. He gently wiped away the water droplets on the hem of her skirt and even took off his own jacket to cover her legs.
He then leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
Across the street, I naturally couldn't hear what was said, but tears had already fallen from my eyes, blurring my vision.
I left in a mess, not even knowing how I got out of the coffee shop.
But it wasn't without benefits. After personally witnessing Blake's gentleness towards another woman, I completely gave up any lingering thoughts about him. It was time to buy a house, time to work.
Thanks to my years of studying abroad, I didn't even need to submit a resume. Companies were lining up to sign me.
I picked a company that caught my eye and started my new life.
However, during quiet moments, I still couldn't help thinking about Blake.
I still couldn't understand how our nearly ten-year relationship couldn't withstand the so-called novelty.
Until half a month later, when news of Blake's engagement broke, I finally realized how laughable my thoughts had been.
I stopped caring about anything related to Blake and threw myself wholeheartedly into work.
A month later, a new special drug based on my latest research paper hit the market, becoming the strongest competitor to The Sterling Group.
Overnight, the stock of the company I worked for soared, while The Sterling Group suffered its biggest setback since its establishment, with its stock price plummeting to a historic low.
When Blake called me, I wasn't surprised.
His tone was harsh as he questioned what I was trying to do.
I laughed, "Mr. Sterling, are you so domineering now that you can eat the meat while others can't even drink the soup?"
Blake on the other end of the phone was furious.
"Scarlett, is this just drinking soup? You've practically picked up the entire pot and thrown it at me!"
"You knew very well that The Sterling Group was doing business based on your papers. Why did you authorize your latest research results to another company?"
How interesting.
If Blake hadn't said so, I wouldn't even have known this reasoning.
Holding the phone in my hand, I spoke with utter calmness.
"Blake, get this straight. The papers are mine. I can give them to whoever I want. Besides, Phoenix Global is paying me well. Why should I refuse?"
"Is it still about money?" Blake on the other end of the phone seemed very agitated. He pressed his brow and criticized me.
"Scarlett, you weren't like this before."
"Oh, well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am now."
My words left Blake on the other end of the phone utterly speechless.
I could even feel his overwhelming anger through his silence.
But who cares?
When I treasured Blake like a precious gem, he took full advantage of me, afraid that even the slightest thing might displease him.
Now that I no longer love him, naturally, I don't need to consider his feelings in everything I do.
I quietly waited for Blake to vent his anger at me, but he didn't. After a long silence, Blake transferred a sum of money to my account.
My phone made a 'ding' notification. I looked down and saw that a sum of money had been added to my bank account.
Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions… hmm, Blake was quite sincere.
But compared to his sincerity when we broke up, it was still lacking.
Blake on the other end of the phone hurriedly spoke up, "I've already transferred the money to you. Fifty billion dollars, is that enough?"
"Scarlett, stop this nonsense. If we keep going on like this, it won't be good for either of us."
Nonsense?
Even until day, Blake could still attribute the conflict between us to mere nonsense.
There was a bitterness in my mouth. I didn't know what to say, so I just lowered my head and told Blake.
"Fifty billion, let's just consider it as your payment for my research results all these years."
"And after that?" Blake eagerly asked.
After that?
I took a deep breath and gave Blake the answer he least wanted to hear.
"After that, we go our separate ways. I'll sell my research results, and you'll be the CEO of The Sterling Group. We won't interfere with each other."
I hung up the phone directly, not giving Blake a chance to speak further.
From the moment he sent that bracelet until now, two and a half months had passed. During these two and a half months, I had given Blake too many chances to make amends, but he didn't cherish them.
Since he regarded me as disposable, I had no reason to treat him as the only light in my entire world.
I forgot to mention, the tenth-anniversary gift from Blake was very valuable, and it was also my mother's masterpiece.
She was a famous jade sculptor.
On the day my family went bankrupt, my father was forced to die in the hospital, and my mother self-immolated in the villa, hugging her pile of proud works. This was the only piece that survived that great fire, taken by my father's opponent to auction off to pay debts.
They named it "Swan Song" and auctioned it for ten billion.
But I could only feel deep sorrow.
The day "Swan Song" was taken away, I clung tightly to the brocade box containing it, refusing to let go even when threatened with jail.
It was Blake who rushed to the scene, paid a high bail, and rescued me from the police.
He said, "Scarlett, I'm sorry. I don't have the ability to buy back your mother's relic, but believe me, one day I will buy 'Swan Song' and give it to you as a wedding gift."
My tears fell immediately. I wasn't reluctant to part with "Swan Song"; I was reluctant to part with my mother.
But having "Swan Song" with me would only make me think of the fire that couldn't be extinguished that day.
I let go. "Swan Song", worth ten billion dollars, was an amount I wouldn't dare to imagine at that time.
Suddenly, I understood. I told Blake, "I don't want 'Swan Song', I only want you."
"But if one day you want to break up with me but find it hard to say, just buy 'Swan Song' and give it to me."
I was eighteen that year, stubbornly believing that nothing in the world should change, and if it did, it should pay a hefty price.
