A hand picked up the file and handed it to Valarie as its owner apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you."

Hearing the voice, Valarie snapped her head up in shock.

It was Tom! Wasn't he abroad?!

"What are you doing here?!" she demanded.

Her eyes betrayed her disbelief-there was no joy in them.noveldrama

Tom felt a pang in his heart, suppressing his disappointment.

"I came to discuss business with Mr. Weir," he replied.

Valarie's expression remained cold as she took the document from him, walking past him into the office without a second glance.

As the door closed behind her, Tom felt a wave of sorrow. He had been too confident, believing that Valarie would never leave him. Now, he realized how foolish he had been.

Inside the office, Valarie tossed the file onto Jonathan's desk and snapped, "Dad, why are you suddenly collaborating with Tom?"

After the way Valarie and Tom had ended things, the Weirs and Genges hadn't worked together for years.

Jonathan picked up the file, his face calm. "He came to give me money. Why not take it?"

Valarie was speechless.

"Alright, I don't need anything else here. You can head back now," Jonathan dismissed her.

Remembering she was supposed to have lunch with Brandon, Valarie hesitated but ultimately turned to leave.

It wasn't until the office door closed behind her that Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief. If Valarie had caused a scene, he wouldn't have known how to handle it.

As soon as Valarie stepped out of the office, she spotted Tom standing not far away.

He was tall and handsome in his black suit, a striking figure who drew the attention of many. When he saw her, his previously calm eyes lit up with emotion as he approached. "Valarie—"

Valarie frowned, cutting him off, "Mr. Genge, we're not familiar. You can address me as Ms. Weir."

The coldness in her eyes pierced Tom's heart, leaving him raw and wounded.

His face pated as he said, "I'm sorry for what happened five years ago... Being abroad all this time without you made me realize that the most important person in my heart-"

"Mr. Genge, my boyfriend is waiting for me for lunch. I don't have time to listen to these useless words. Could you please move aside?" Valarie interrupted.

She smiled, but her eyes remained calm and devoid of any lingering affection.

"You... have a boyfriend now?" Tom's voice softened with sadness, his eyes like fragile crystals on the verge of shattering.

Valarie smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Genge. Can you please move?"

She had no desire to be connected to Tom anymore. The thought of him flirting with other women back then made her feel sick.

Tom searched her face for any signs

of deceit but found none. Her

expression was steady, and there was no emotion in her eyes-she had truly moved on.

He sighed. "I guess I'm too late... right?"

Valarie frowned, unwilling to waste any more time. She pushed past him toward the elevator.

His tall frame stumbled backward, almost losing his balance despite her gentle shove.

His secretary quickly steadied him, asking, "Mr. Genge, are you okay?"

Tom remained silent, his gaze fixated on the direction Valarie had vanished, lost in thought for a long while.

The Weir Group's secretaries exchanged shocked glances, their eyes gleaming with gossip.