A Heart Given Wrong

---- Chapter 8 One month later, the public street spectacle finally came to an end. Yvonne, Francis, and Zoey were handed over to the police. What awaited them was the impartial judgment of the law. I didn't attend the trial. Oswald relayed the final verdicts to me afterward. Yvonne was convicted on charges of aggravated assault, commercial fraud, and illegal fundraising, to name a few. She was sentenced to life imprisonment and permanently stripped of political rights. Francis and Zoey, as accomplices, were sentenced to 20 years and 15 years, respectively.

As for the guests who had taken part in humiliating me that night, although they avoided criminal punishment, every one of them was ruined by the scandal. They would spend the rest of their lives trapped in poverty and regret. When the dust finally settled, I stood in the CEO's office on the top floor of Guzman Group Tower, looking down at the endless stream of traffic below. The office had once belonged to Dad. After I returned home, he handed the entire company over to me without hesitation. ---- He told me, "Will, you were wronged. But you also learned something.

From now on, you must learn to rely on your own strength. Protect yourself, and build the life that belongs to you." Indeed, I was no longer the naive boy hiding inside a fantasy of love, believing that love alone could sustain a life. I was William Guzman, the head of Guzman Group. With my own hands, I would command this business empire and create an era of my own. At first, the old folks on the board of directors had no respect for a young CEO who arrived overnight. They smiled to my face while undermining me behind my back, secretly hoping for my downfall. I didn't argue with them.

And I didn't ask Dad for help. Instead, within half a month, I executed three cross- border acquisitions that sent shockwaves through the industry. I also made several strategic investments in emerging tech companies, which most people had dismissed. Later, they all exploded with astonishing growth. My judgment and decisiveness silenced every doubt. Now, those same board members greeted me with respect, addressing me properly as "Mr. Guzman" when they saw me. ---- 1 immersed myself completely in my work. The constant hustle left no room for old memories.

I thought my life would continue like that indefinitely. Until the night at a charity gala, where I met Amelia Lockhart. Ino longer needed love. What I needed was a reliable partner. And that was exactly what Amelia was. One year later, we held our wedding on a small island in the Astolian Sea. It was a simple ceremony, attended only by close family and friends. Dad patted my shoulder, then turned solemnly to Amelia. "Kid, I'm entrusting my dearest son to you.

If you ever let him suffer even a little, I'll let you experience just how formidable Guzman Group's legal department really is." That single sentence caused the audience to burst into laughter. Amelia tightened her grip on my hand and replied with resolve, "Bernard, don't worry. I'll love and protect William with my life." As he spoke, her eyes were filled with sincerity. But I clearly remembered what I had told her before the marriage. I had said, "This marriage is merely a business alliance. I don't have any feelings for you.

All I need is ---- your support at work." For a proud woman, those words might have felt dismissive. Yet, she agreed without hesitation. I remembered pausing and studying her curiously, then thinking nothing more of it. Tonly learned the truth after the wedding. Apparently, I was the senior Amelia had secretly admired back in college. All these years, she had pushed herself relentlessly, growing stronger and brighter, just to earn my recognition. And now, she had succeeded. Looking at my wife standing before me, I was no longer cold or distant, defined solely by ambition.

I wore the smile of a man who had finally found happiness.