Forsaking the Years of Longing

Chapter 11 That evening, I called Nico.

Even without me saying much, I was sure he knew what to look into.

At the end of the call, he casually dropped a bombshell on me.

"By the way, I found out who anonymously sent you that recording last time."

"Who?"

"Someone you know -Callan."

Speak of the devil. Just a week after I returned to the Howard Group in my new role, I ran into Callan, who was on a business trip to New York.

We met at a business event. Even with acquaintances, it's customary to have a proper introduction.

"Mr. Callan, this is Miss Caroline, the young heir of the Howard Group, whom I've mentioned to you before."

I raised an eyebrow and extended my hand to Callan.

Predictably, though somewhat unexpectedly, Callan showed no surprise. He simply smiled.

"Long time no see."

Later, we arranged to have dinner at a restaurant. Callan, ever the gentleman, poured me a glass of red wine. Then, as if unintentionally, he brought up a name I didn't want to hear. "You've been gone so long, Jason's practically losing his mind."

"Oh? How so?"

"Well, first, he called off his

set

engagement with Emily. Then he moved out of the family estate to live in the Moon Villa. Even though he keeps saying things like he wants you to regret leaving, it feels like he can't stop thinking about you."

Callan chuckled.

"Sometimes, it seems like he loves you. But everything he's done, his attitude - it doesn't show an ounce of genuine emotion. Yet after you left, he's been acting so strangely."

I took a sip of wine, my gaze deep as it locked on Callan.

"Don't you think you're acting a little strange, Mr. Callan?"

"Coming all the way to New York, seeing me like this, and not even pretending to be surprised - yet you're going on about someone else. Are you trying to gauge my feelings about Jason?" My words hit the mark, and Callan fell silent.

But I couldn't understand why he

kept circling around, watching my expressions as though he wouldn't be satisfied until he saw

indifference-or even disdain-one

face at the mention of Jason's name.

QUAS

When we shifted to talking about his business trip to New York, I smiled. "Quite the coincidence, running into you here."

To my surprise, Callan cut straight to the point. His usually gentle eyes glimmered with a sly smile.

"Not a coincidence. I came here for you."

Seeing my startled expression,

Callan continued, "You just asked

why I kept bringing up Jason. It's

because I wanted to confirm

whether you two are truly done - so

I

I can make my move."

"What?" I almost dropped my wine glass.

Callan looked up, his gaze deep and shimmering. "I think I've made myself clear enough."

"Miss Howard, Jason doesn't deserve you. So I've decided to fight for you myself."