Chapter 10%
“Let me introduce myself again–I’m Henrik Hollander His eyes held a deep, lingering look as he gazed at me
I dropped my eyes, avoiding his stare. “Mr. Hollander, I know your name, but I’m sure I don’t know you!
“I have another name–Hank”
My eyes widened “Hank?“%
When I was around five, a new family moved in next door X
That’s when I got a new playmate–Hank.
We were the same age. He was a chubby kid with a gentle personality, never once fighting back no matter how much I picked on him.
When I turned thirteen and started middle school, his whole family moved abroad
We lost contact after that. X
“You’re Hank?! You’re not messing with me, are you?”
I could hardly believe it. The tall, handsome man in front of me was the same crybaby from my childhood?%
“No way! Unless you show me proof, I’m not buying it, sir.”
“The scar on your head from when a branch fell on you–is it still there?” Henrik smiled slightly. “I remember you cried for ages ages that day, convinced you were going to die.“%
He went on, bringing up all sorts of embarrassing childhood memories. A lot of the details, I’d long forgotten.
“You’ve been back all this time–why didn’t you come find me?“%
“You were with someone. I wasn’t sure if my presence would cause trouble for you… I’m sorry it took me this long to explain.”
“So VerdantCore Technologies offered me a job because of you?“%
I had thought they recruited me because of my skills. The realization left a bitter taste in my mouth.X
Henrik noticed my anger and quickly explained, “Yvonne, it’s not like that. I’ve been keeping up with you all know how capable you are. Fitz Tech Innovations was holding you back.“%
I tried to stay calm. “You know everything about me?“%
He nodded, his gaze filled with sympathy, regret, and something else.X
these years.
“The year I came back, you and Heston were preparing for your wedding. I gave 20,000 bucks as a wedding gift”
So that anonymous envelope… was from him.
“I also know that Wendolene moved into your place, joined FitzTech Innovations, and that Heston was cheating on you.“%
My cheeks burned.
Thinking back, VerdantCore Technologies’s HR had been sending me job offers since three years ago.
Was that their way of warning me about Heston’s affair??!
“Why didn’t you just tell me? Watching me get played like an idiot–was it fun for you?”
I raised my voice, humiliation washing over me.X
“I’m sorry.”
Henrik pressed his lips together. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“So what now? You brought me into your company just to keep laughing at me?”
“No, Yvonne. Never.” He immediately denied it. “I wanted to help you. FitzTech Innovations was stifling your growth. At VerdantCore Technologies, you’ll have better opportunities.”
I could tell he was sincere. Everything that had happened three years ago proved he wasn’t the kind of person I was accusing him of being X
Even after all the harsh words I threw at him, he still had the patience to explain himself.
“Why does it have to be you?”
I covered my face, tears slipping down.
Whatever we had as kids was long gone, replaced by the awkwardness of strangers.
“Yvonne, it’s all in the past. The future will be better.“2
He handed me a tissue, looking at me with concern
“Trust me, I mean no harm.”
I wiped my tears, pulling myself together.
“Trust me, I mean no harm”
I wiped my tears, pulling myself together.
“Mr. Hollander, how do you plan to prove that?” I took out the project proposal.”
“Why did you choose to collaborate with FitzTech Innovations?”
He smiled, his gaze warm.X
“Yvonne, I knew it. You want revenge.” He shook his head. “This isn’t just a deal with FitzTech Innovations. It’s a bidding competition–I’ll choose the best company”
His words made me realize–I’d let my emotions slip, and he caught it.
“Yvonne, I know how capable you are. That’s why, for your first project here, I hope you’ll give it your all.”
His words gave me a kind of strength I hadn’t felt in years.
At FitzTech Innovations, no matter how hard I worked, I never once got a word of praise from Heston.
In my life, compliments had always been rare. The things I heard the most were complaints and criticism.
“T… Thank you. I’ll do my best.”
