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Chapter 11 Welcome Back
Wasn’t she just talking about taking half of Henry’s assets! That she wouldn’t back down?
Almost as if she could read Cheryl’s mind, Shana’s lips arved into a slight smile. “It’s sweeter to earn my own money. Taking that jerk’s cash would just make me feel dirty”
Cheryl opened her mouth to respond, but before she could get a word out, Shana clicked her mouse a few times and sent off the email she had been editing. Then, with a radiant sinile, she turned to Cheryl.
“Or do you doubt I can make a living on my own?”
Cheryl hesitated, then quickly shook her head. “Of course not. Three years ago, you were just a rookie journalist, yet you had the guts to go undercover and pose that huge embezzlement scandal. The whole industry was shaken by it. If it weren’t for your marriage forcing you to put your career on hold, you’d be unstoppable by now and wouldn’t even have to think twice about money.
Back then, her exceptional work had caught the eye of a prestigious and mysterious magazine, known for turning every journalist it hired into a star. The salary was solid, but the real appeal was the limitless project commissions.
The more valuable the stories you uncovered, the bigger the rewards–plus generous bonuses mid–year and at the end.
Many journalists dreamed of joining, but few made the cut. Yet, the magazine’s editor–in–chief, Alex Morrison, had personally sought Shana out.
And once she was on board, she didn’t disappoint. She nailed every assignment Alex threw her way, quickly becoming one of his top reporters.
Alex had even planned to send her abroad for further training, but then she abruptly decided to get
married.
Well, more like being forced to…
Shana shook her head lightly, not offering any excuses. Three years ago, I was blinded by love, completely irrational. I was stubborn, obsessed with winning over a man’s heart, and I ended up making a huge mistake.”
Back then, her dreams had been so grand. She thought she and Henry were on the same path–marriage, kids, growing old together. But when she discovered his heart belonged to someone else, she became even more determined, driven by a twisted need to win. She had to claim his heart for herself.
Looking back on those three years, all she could see was a crazy, pathetic version of herself–someone she now despised. All that was left was regret.
Men only slow you down.
Get out of my way!
Cheryl stared at her for a long moment, finally realizing from the look on Shana’s face that she was serious this time. This wasn’t just empty talk.
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Chapter 11 Welcome Back
Her gaze dropped, something flickering in her eyes before quickly vanishing.
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Then Cheryl gently hugged Shana. “As long as you’re sure about this, I’m with you all the way! I can’t wait to see that bright, unstoppable version of you again.”
Becoming a journalist who fights for justice had always been Shana’s dream.
Before Shana could get a reply from Alex, her phone rang. It was Larry,
Her feelings toward Henry were so bitter that her voice turned icy, “Get to the point.”
Sensing the tension, Larry didn’t waste any time. “Mr. Floyd has a dinner invitation tomorrow night and needs to attend with Mrs. Floyd. I’m calling to inform you. I’ll pick you up at five. Hair and makeup should take about two hours. We need to be at the venue by eight sharp.”
Shana almost couldn’t believe her ears. After everything that had happened, how could Henry still have the nerve to make demands like this?
Did her past as his devoted doormat give him this kind of blind confidence?
She didn’t hold back. “Is he out of his mind? Do me a favor and let him know that since we’re getting divorced. I’m done playing the doting wife at his boring business dinners!”
She was about to hang up when Henry’s deep, icy voice sliced through the line, brimming with irritation.
“Shana, how long are you going to keep up this pathetic game of playing hard to get?”
He sounded genuinely fed up, his words laced with frost. “If I sign those papers, you won’t have any tears left to cry.”
Shana had enough of this pointless back–and–forth and coolly shot back, “Why don’t you go ahead and see ifĮ shed a single tear after we’re divorced?”
“You’re unreasonable!”
The harsh click of the disconnected call echoed in the silence, followed by the cold, monotonous beeping.
Shana sneered. Who’s the one being unreasonable here?
She couldn’t wrap her head around it. He had been so eager to make room for his true love that he practically shoved her into another man’s arms. So why was he pretending now that he didn’t want the
divorce?
Before she could dwell on it, her laptop pinged with a new notification.
Shana glanced at the screen and saw an email from Alex. Her dark eyes lit up with joy as she quickly clicked to open it.
Alex had written just two words, “Welcome back.”
Those simple words filled Shana with a mix of gratitude and guilt.
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Chapter 11 Welcome Back
Back then, Alex had paved the way for a promising future for her, but she had let him down. Yet, he had never once blamed her.
When she chose to leave, he respected her decision. And now, as she sought to return, he welcomed her back without hesitation.
shana typed a sincere reply, “Thank you Mr. Morrison,“
Alex quickly responded. No need to thank me Here, is all about what you can do
He valued her skills, which was why he welcomed her back without hesitation:
Shana’s eves sparkled with mischief as she asked, “Mr. Morrison, I haven’t taken on any assignments in three years. Aren’t you worried I might be useles
His reply was instant, “Someone I believe in could never be useless.”
A smile ragged at Shana’s lips. Three years of marriage had shattered her confidence, leaving her feeling like a shell of her former self. It had been so long since anyone had believed in her. Now, feeling this trust again, her blood surged with excitement,
Soon after. Alex sent her a task. Assignments at the magazine were ranked by difficulty–5, A, and B levels,
with tougher challenges offering bigger rewards. The task he assigned was a B–level, relatively simple.
He explained that easing back into the work would be best since she had just returned
Shana didn’t mind. If she had jumped straight into an S–level assignment, it might have ruffled some Teathers among her colleagues,
She skimmed the task details. It was straightforward: a popular celebrity was eager to secure an interview with the magazine. But getting featured in such a prestigious publication wasn’t easy. The magazine typically covered top business moguls, influential scientists, and other major figures. Celebrities from the entertainment industry had long coveted a spot, but none had succeeded so far.
This particular celebrity was being considered because of her positive public image, her distance from the typical entertainment scene, and her recent win of an international award that brought pride to the country. She was eager for the interview and had made several attempts to secure it, so Alex tasked Shana with assessing whether she was worthy of the feature.
After Shana accepted the assignment, the celebrity’s manager quickly called to arrange a meeting
The next afternoon, Shana arrived at the private room in the cafe.
A few moments later, the door swung open.
Shana looked up–and froze.
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