"You owe me four years of reputation, and you still owe me a life." Her gaze became sharp, locking onto me with a piercing intensity.

"A life?" I was confused, utterly bewildered.

"Back then, you were having a good time. Did you ever think about what you would do to me? You got me pregnant." Her voice was cold, laced with a touch of mockery.

"But that never happened, did it?" I wiped the sweat from my brow, my heart beginning to race.

"You think it didn't?" She sneered, her gaze as sharp as a blade.

"If it had, would you be so bold now?" I said, lacking confidence, my words uncertain.

"Do you know how I felt when I had to pay a man to take me to the hospital? You damned bastard. Do you have any idea how badly I wanted to keep him? But I was just a student, and worst of all, his father was nowhere to be found." Her voice was filled with both fury and pain.

"Is that true?" I asked, doubt creeping in, yet my heart began to pound.

Sophie stood up, walking toward me, her eyes burning with intensity."Do you think I would joke about something like that? Do you know how desperate I was during that time? I was alone on the operating table, my mind consumed with thoughts of you, you bastard!"

Her words cut through me like a dagger, each one embedding itself deep in my chest. I had never seen her so emotional, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.

"Sophie, I... I'm sorry. I really didn't know." I lowered my head, unable to meet her gaze.

"Sorry?" Her voice trembled, full of bitterness."What good is‘sorry' now? Do you know the price I paid for this? You owe me more than just reputation—you owe me my future!"

A stack of folders rained down on me, forcing me to scramble to avoid them. This woman was truly mad, throwing things without hesitation. I sighed helplessly, attempting to calm her with a steady tone."Aren't you doing well now? Don't bring up past hurts. It's been so many years, there's no need to hold on to it. It's not good for you, really, listen to me."

I spoke smoothly, a skill honed from countless sessions with that long-winded manager. But as soon as the words left my mouth, they sparked her fury.

"Bah! Who do you think you are to tell me that?" She glared at me, her expression dripping with disdain.

I shrugged helplessly."What more do you want from me? It's over, you've cried, you've yelled." I spread my hands in defeat, showing I had no more answers.

"Come back to work!" she suddenly shouted, her voice commanding.

Without thinking, I blurted,"No, I absolutely won't. That money from the job isn't worth it."

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"What do you want to do then?" Her hands were on her hips, her eyes fiery with challenge.

"I want to drive a taxi," I said, though I lacked confidence in my own words, pushing forward despite the uncertainty.

"Do you think you'll make more money doing that?" She sneered, clearly doubting me.

"At least more than here," I insisted, forcing myself to hold my ground, silently praying she wouldn't press further.

"Then you'll drive a taxi your whole life," she said with a mocking tone.

"What does it have to do with you?" I shot back, my frustration flaring, my words now sharp and unrestrained.

"Come back and be my assistant. I'll give you ten thousand," she suddenly offered, throwing out a tempting deal.

"I won't do it." I rejected her without a moment's hesitation.

"Think it through carefully," her voice softened slightly, as though attempting to persuade me.

"I won't do it." My resolve remained unshaken.

"Then 5,000," she said, her tone tinged with resignation and compromise.

I glared at her, sneering,"I won't do it, and you lower the price!"

"Say whatever you wish, but I won't do it," I shook my head with unyielding certainty.

"You think there's nothing I can do to you, don't you?" She suddenly sneered, her gaze turning cold and menacing.

I stole a glance at her, my heart gripped by unease.

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, driving deep into my chest."Do you think your parents still see you as their good son, the prodigy, the one who coasts through university, keeps a mistress, and got someone pregnant? If I were to reveal this to them, what do you think their reaction would be?"

I felt as though my heart had stopped, and I froze."You... you can't tell them. They can't bear another blow." My voice trembled, despair surging within me. This was truly my Achilles' heel. I sank helplessly onto the couch, feeling utterly drained.

Seeing that I had finally softened, a smug smile curled on her lips."If you work for me, within two years, I'll clear your parents' debts."

"How do you know about my family's debts?" I suddenly looked up, my eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

"This is such a small place, who wouldn't know?" She smiled, sly as a fox.

"Do you know how much we owe?" I felt like smoking, so I took out a cigarette from my pocket, my hands shaking. I seldom think about this, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist just because I don't think about it. It's a blessing in disguise that this debt didn't completely destroy my family, but the life my parents are living now makes me want to cry when I think about it, and my tears flow down.

"If you must smoke, do it now. But after this, no more smoking, wherever you are. I can't stand it." She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a scar on her arm."Do you remember?"

Of course I remembered. I had been drunkenly intoxicated, my senses clouded, when she stood before me like a frozen mountain, her demeanor as cold as ice. A surge of anger ignited within me, and I took the cigarette from my hand, pressing it fiercely against her arm. She simply stared at me, her expression devoid of any emotion. The scene cut deeply into my soul, as though a blade had been drawn across my heart. The memories of those reckless moments still stung. I had been so foolish back then.

"I told you—your family's debts will be paid off within two years, but you must follow my lead," she said coldly, her voice firm and unwavering.

I sat in silence for a while, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Finally, I lifted my gaze, speaking with firm resolve,"No. My family will handle their own debts, without your help. I do not need your pity."

A slight furrow appeared on her brow, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes."You..."

I interrupted her and said,"I promise you, I can work here, but I won't be your assistant. I can't do it."

"No," she responded, her voice as cold as before, offering no room for negotiation.

I sighed deeply, helplessness creeping into my bones."Then I'll join the marketing department and handle business. I don't wish to work under your watch." I spoke the truth, without reservation.