"Because you're sticking your nose into where it doesn't belong." Zayn shot an icy glare at Harry.
"I…" Harry stood transfixed for a moment before he blurted out an explanation, "I'm giving this necklace back because of my wife's mistake. It has nothing to do with anyone else."
"Do you mean you're not doing this for her?" Zayn pointed at Carla.
"No." Harry dropped his head, not daring to look at Carla.
Hearing his response, Carla knitted her brows, an uneasy feeling crept within her.
She knew Harry was saying those words to protect himself, but to look at how meek he had become sent indescribable feelings to her heart.
"Tell me then, what does the bankruptcy of Wigston Corporation have to do with me?" Zayn questioned.
Harry shuddered as his face paled further.
"He's not the one who told me about it, " Carla explained. "This has nothing to do with him."
"Speak!" Zayn roared.
Shuddering again, Harry stuttered, "I-I-I don't know."
Instead of shouting again, Zayn kept his glacial gaze fixed on the other man.
"What are you doing?" Carla quickly jumped to Harry's defense. "Why are you dragging others into our problem?"
"Hmm, you're right." Zayn suddenly changed his tone as he smiled. "Mr. Stayton, don't be afraid. I was just asking."
Like Carla, Harry frowned in confusion.
"It's just a necklace worth a hundred million. There's no need for you to deliver this to me personally."
Zayn then threw the ruby necklace to Harry as though he was rewarding money to a beggar. "Here. Think of it as my investment and use it to start the project."
"Do you mean…" Harry trailed off, bewildered. "I can restart my project?"
The necklace was a symbolism of the opportunity Zayn was giving to him.
"Of course." Zayn leaned back on the sofa as he swayed his glass gracefully. "However, that item can only have one value. Whether you use the ruby necklace to start your project or to buy her freedom is up to you."
Hearing Zayn's words, the hair behind Carla's neck stood up.
So that's the bet he was talking about. The bet is about Harry's choice.
Will he choose the company, or will he choose me?
He can only choose one…
Carla knew how crucial the project was to the Staytons for Harry to plead meekly with Zayn.
Now that the Chromas and Divine Corporation were pressuring them, if the Staytons could not carry out this project successfully, bankruptcy would be waiting for them.
It was impossible for Harry to give up on his last chance in a situation like this.
However, if he chose family, he would be giving up on her once again.
It would be a reenactment of what happened four years ago.
That being said, a lot of things had changed since four years ago. As such, even if Harry chose to abandon her for his family again, Carla would no longer feel the same disappointment and grievance she once felt.
She had long since let go of those feelings of hers.
He was the only one who still held onto those feelings.
What Zayn was doing now was to drive a wedge between them, forcing Harry to let go of his feelings. From then on, he would then be too ashamed to continue clinging to Carla.
At the same time, Carla would finally give up the last shred of hope she had for him.
After all, human nature had always been cruel.
They could forgive and understand, but that did not mean there would not be any hard feelings left.
"Women have nothing to do with business. Why do you have to involve her in this?" Harry panicked. "Mr. Giblo, if you aren't satisfied with the terms I've mentioned earlier, we can-"
"There is nothing to discuss, " Zayn cut him off. He then stated, "You have a minute to make your decision. Her, or your company."
With that, he stood up and headed to the bathroom.
He was giving space for Harry and Carla to talk things out.
The entire time, Harry's fists were clenched tight, and his eyes were reddened. His emotions were threatening to spill over.
Carla looked at him with pity in her eyes. Countless words bubbled in her heart, but none came out of her mouth.
She knew she could never escape Zayn. At the end of the day, she was destined to be his plaything.
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