Chapter 11

Filip lowered his gaze and said, "Cynthia, my relationship with Ian is destined to fail. We're over." He looked up at Cynthia and continued, "But there's still a deep connection between us. Moreover, we grew up together. It's not easy to let go of our twenty-year relationship."

Cynthia frowned slightly. Filip observed her expression and added cautiously, "I ask for nothing else. I don't expect us to get back together. I just want to be friends with you. Even if we're ordinary friends, I'll be satisfied."

Cynthia was impassive. "Save it. Because we've known each other for more than twenty years, I still want to keep some beautiful memories between us in my heart. I don't want to realize that one day I'll have run out of these childhood memories, and only the fact that we hate each other will remain."

Filip was puzzled. "How can we still hate each other if we're just friends?"

Cynthia looked up at Filip, staring intensely at him with a trace of seriousness. He thought her eyes were so beautiful; they looked like the brightest stars in the deep night sky. At that moment, he even saw a galaxy swirling within them. Being stared at by such a pair of eyes, Filip felt his heart stop and his breath catch. He thought, Why did I ever think Lilian was comparable to her?

Cynthia's gaze held a trace of sincerity. "Filip, we've known each other for many years. I know what you're thinking. I know I clung to you before, but I'm tired of always calculating and engaging in a never-ending battle with you. I won't go back. We can never be together."

Her words were like a death sentence to Filip. He thought Cynthia would agree; after all, he had humbled himself so much, and it was only a small request. Unfortunately, Cynthia was smart. She saw through his delaying tactics.

Cynthia opened the car door and got in, but she didn't drive off immediately. She lowered her car window, didn't look at Filip, and said calmly, "Perhaps when you let go of your obsession, we can still be friends. I've already let go. Filip, take care." Then, Cynthia drove away.

Filip watched her go, his eyes dimming. If she knew what he was doing, she would never forgive him. However, he had no choice. He couldn't let go of his obsession.

As Cynthia drove on the overpass, she didn't notice a car following her. Claude, a former racing team captain, possessed superb tracking skills. Whenever Cynthia suspected something, he expertly blended into the traffic.

Claude followed her for half an hour before reporting to Jonathan in the back seat. "Ms. Jones is quite good at detecting; I was almost discovered several times. Mr. Bennett, do you still want to follow her?"

"Follow her," Jonathan replied, his voice faint and tired.

Claude sighed inaudibly. Poor Mr. Bennett. After breaking up with Ms. Jones, he doesn't dare to speak to her, but he still misses her so much. He can only follow her, catching occasional glimpses of her.

Claude comforted Jonathan, "Ms. Jones is smart. I believe one day she'll understand that you had no choice."

Jonathan leaned back, seeming enveloped in darkness. His gaze darkened, and his voice was cold. "I can't protect her now, and I wish she wouldn't find out."

Claude's expression changed. "Mr. Bennett, are you afraid that Ms. Jones will end up like Luna?"

Jonathan was gloomier than ever.

Chapter III

"Is that why you went back to Betrico to celebrate Ms. Sullivan's birthday with great fanfare—to distract Ms. Bennett? Although she is powerful, she can't easily hurt Ms. Sullivan. However, Ms. Jones has misunderstood you," Claude stated.

Looking at Jonathan's pained expression, Claude continued, "But why didn't you explain it to Ms. Jones? I believe she can understand. Maybe you just need to discuss it with Ms. Jones and put on a show so as not to hurt your relationship with her."

Jonathan closed his eyes. "Claude, don't you know what Whitney is like? She's a sly old fox. She can tell at a glance whether a person is acting or not, and she's ruthless. I don't dare risk it. Parting with Cynthia is the safest way for now."

Claude sighed. "Three years ago, you used everything to trick her into taking over the business in Friyx from you, just for momentary peace. But now that Ms. Bennett suddenly plans to return home and stay, does it mean she has found something?"

Jonathan closed his eyes and said indifferently, "That's not true. The main reason she went there was that Preston was studying there. But recently, when Matthew found out Preston was studying art instead of management in university, he was very angry and deliberately arranged for him to return home."

Jonathan added, "If Preston returns, then Whitney will, too. Her control over her son is far more than that of an ordinary mother."

Claude nodded. "But Mr. Sullivan is no thoughtless puppet. The more Ms. Bennett controls him, the more he will fight back. Otherwise, Mr. Sullivan wouldn't have dropped out of the Department of Economics and Management and gone to the Film Academy, because he knows that the people Ms. Bennett despises most are those in the entertainment industry."

Whitney was in charge of Betrico Multimedia. Half of the entertainment industry's A-list stars were from Betrico Multimedia. Although she had cultivated many famous stars, they were insignificant in the eyes of a business magnate like her. Preston, her only son (from both the Bennett and Sullivan families), was naturally the object of her high hopes.

Jonathan seemed to have thought of something. "What is Preston doing recently?"

Claude answered truthfully, "I don't know. Mr. Sullivan is best at evading prying eyes—a skill honed from years of practice. Recently, his university held a study tour. Maybe he's in Lugrea now."

"Release the news that Preston had a car accident in Lugrea," Jonathan ordered.

Claude immediately understood. "Noted, Mr. Bennett. I believe Ms. Bennett will show up in Lugrea within three days. At that time, you and Ms. Jones can relax a little."

While driving, Cynthia glanced into her rearview mirror from time to time. She felt like someone was following her. However, she couldn't find anything wrong. Is it because I didn't sleep well and I'm seeing things? she wondered.

Cynthia planned to go back to Greenfield Villa but decided to park her car in the residential area of Splendid Garden instead.

Rachel was surprised to see Cynthia.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Cynthia asked.

Rachel was happy. "Of course."

(The final "Wed, Nov b" appears to be a stray note and not part of the text.)