That night, Ursula returned to her apartment.

The first thing she did was throw out every piece of garbage connected to Thomas.

It wasn't until hundreds of messages flooded her phone that she realized all hell had broken loose online.

Following the trail, Ursula found a series of freshly posted announcements on Fox Group's official website.

Five in total. All about her.

"Due to personal conduct issues, former Vice President of Design Ursula Abbott has been demoted to Department Head."

"Due to personal conduct issues, former Vice President of Design Ursula Abbott has been demoted to Manager."

"Due to personal conduct issues... Ursula Abbott has been demoted to Sales Associate."

"Due to... Ursula Abbott has been demoted to Janitorial Staff."

Each announcement deliberately included her previous title, ensuring everyone could watch her plummet from the clouds, one rung at a time.

It wasn't just character assassination—it was public humiliation, plain and simple.

The bizarre announcements caught the attention of countless netizens, all speculating about what could have happened.

"God, this poor woman. What kind of 'conduct issue' gets you demoted from VP all the way down to janitor? Is that even legal?"

"Right? Talk about social death. Whatever happened, couldn't they just call the cops?"

"I'm cringing so hard my toes are curling. Girl, just RUN. What kind of garbage company is this?"

Ursula was, in fact, planning to run.

She'd never liked working at Fox Group to begin with. It was Thomas's mother who'd wanted her to become his right hand, so she'd forced herself to climb the ladder.

Turns out, twisting yourself into knots for someone else really wasn't worth it.

She logged into her company account. Finding her permissions still active, she posted her own announcement—along with a detailed list of every achievement she'd accomplished during her years there.

"With a clear conscience, Ursula Abbott resigns."

Those few simple words sent the trending charts into overdrive.

"Thank god, we're saved—she's a total badass!"

"First time I've ever seen someone quit via company announcement. I need to know how this tastes."

"Also, this woman is seriously impressive. Has Fox Group lost their minds? They're letting talent like this walk?"

"Calling it now: this announcement will be deleted any second. Screenshot while you can!"

The resignation announcement was indeed taken down almost immediately. Ursula didn't care—she'd already made her point.

Fox Group and Odette, however, wouldn't stop calling. When she didn't answer, they resorted to sending sixty-second voice messages, one after another.

She didn't want to hear it. She tossed her phone aside, poured herself a cup of hand-dripped coffee, and retreated to her study.

Two hours later, a new video on traditional Chinese medicine appeared on a certain account.

Ursula diligently replied to a few private messages from mothers asking for advice, then finally emerged.

At some point, her WeChat had gone quiet. The most recent message contained just two words: "You okay?"

From her contact: Greg Weiss.

Her mind drifted back to that snowy night in Melbourne four years ago.

Snow piled waist-deep. A man drenched in blood. Legs nearly destroyed.

She had just inherited her mentor's legacy. He was a Chinese man on death's doorstep.

One willing to try. One willing to gamble.

Fortunately, they'd both won.

As she was lost in thought, the chat window suddenly transformed into an incoming call.

Ursula blinked, hesitated, then tapped accept.

"Hello?"

"It's me. Greg Weiss." The man's deep, measured voice cut through the years between them, stirring something in her chest.

"Mm. I know."

After that, the line fell into an odd silence. Beside him, Hailey grew impatient and shouted into the receiver.

"Ursula! My brother's in Northport! He wants to take you to dinner!"

Her voice grew distant, as if someone was physically pushing her away.

Ursula pictured the scene and smiled. "Sure. When?"

Greg's reply was unhurried. "Your call."

Ursula had already resigned from her job, so she'd had plenty of free time lately.

"Let's do tomorrow then. Hailey's been looking after me all this time, and I still haven't properly thanked her."

"Sounds good."

After hanging up, Hailey invited her to play video games together.

Ursula wasn't particularly into gaming, but she knew Hailey was trying to take her mind off things, so she went along with it.

The two of them played until dark, only stopping when Greg forced his sister to get some rest.

Stars glittered overhead as the city lights spread beneath her feet like a river of scattered silver. Ursula stood in silence, letting the dull ache seep through her chest.

Some wounds had to rot completely before new flesh could grow.

The next day brought rare good weather to Northport.

Ursula arrived right on time. Since the restaurant was housed in a traditional Suzhou-style garden with a dress code, she'd chosen a pale goose-yellow qipao. Her long hair was loosely pinned with a white jade hairpin, giving her an effortlessly striking elegance—like sunlight on fresh snow.

"Ursula, it's criminal that you're not in showbiz!"

The moment they met, Hailey's compliments came rapid-fire.

Ursula smiled, the soft dimples making her look even more approachable.

"There are plenty of beautiful, talented women in entertainment."

"But you're a total knockout!" Hailey tugged at Greg's sleeve. "Right, Greg?"

"Mm. Very beautiful."

Greg's gaze lingered on her.

When he spoke, Ursula instinctively glanced his way. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and both paused.

He was wearing a hand-tailored black shirt today, its subtle bamboo-and-flowing-light pattern strikingly similar to the design on her qipao.

From a distance, they could have passed for a matching couple.

Throughout the meal, Hailey kept the conversation lively. Several times, Ursula found herself thinking back to the fun moments at Melbourne Manor.

Just as the atmosphere reached its warmest, four bodyguards in matching uniforms appeared.

"Miss, the Chairman requests your presence."

Ursula's grip tightened on her utensils.

She'd deliberately chosen this restaurant because it was far from the Abbott estate. There was no way Cliff Abbott could have just happened to pass by.

He'd come here on purpose.

For her.

"I'm entertaining friends. Please tell him I'll come see him after we finish."

No one spoke.

The four bodyguards took another step forward in unison.

Ursula noticed Greg's hand beginning to move and spoke first. "I'm sorry, Mr. Weiss, Hailey—I need to step out. Let's call it here for today."

"We'll go with you." Greg rose, and the restrained presence he'd been holding back unfurled completely. The air itself seemed to grow heavy with an almost suffocating authority.

The four bodyguards exchanged glances, spines stiffening involuntarily.

Hailey caught on immediately. "Yeah, yeah—we're pretty much done eating anyway. Let's all head out together, Ursula."

Warmth flickered through Ursula's chest, but how could she drag them into this?

"That's not necessary, I—"

Before she could finish, warmth enveloped her arm.

Greg's eyes were dark, yet carried the innate pride of someone born to command. "Don't refuse me."

Outside the restaurant.

Cliff sat in his Hongqi sedan, his gaze sharpening when he saw who accompanied Ursula.

But decades in business had taught him never to let shallow emotions show. The moment Ursula got in, the car sped away.

She instinctively gripped her seatbelt. "Where are you taking me?"

Cliff ignored her, his eyes drifting with interest to the rearview mirror.

Behind his convoy of Hongqi sedans, a black Cullinan followed closely.

A few seconds later, a second appeared. Then a third.

In the blink of an eye, the Cullinan convoy matched his own in size.

"Your friend looks like someone important. Not from Northport?"

Ursula saw the commotion behind her.

As the luxury car caught up, her eyes widened in disbelief, a flood of emotions washing over her...

Greg had actually followed them.

"Bro, that old man did this on purpose!"

In the Cullinan's passenger seat, Hailey was fuming.

When they first saw Cliff take Ursula away without a word, they thought she might be in danger and immediately followed. But then the old fox actually slowed down—right until Greg's hidden bodyguards stationed around the area all mobilized at once.

In an instant, her brother's hand had been completely exposed.

"It's fine."

Greg's slender, cool hands gripped the steering wheel, the veins along his forearms standing out like perfectly sculpted art.

The next second, the speedometer shot up.

The Cullinan overtook several vehicles in rapid succession, its unyielding momentum forcing the lead Hongqi to a halt.

Amid the haze of burning rubber, the two convoys faced off. Greg stepped out of his car and calmly rapped on the Hongqi's window.

Excitement flickered in Cliff's eyes.

"I barely know him—don't even think about it!" Ursula frowned, Cliff's expression unsettling her.

In the Abbott household, compared to Odette's blunt oppression, she feared her smiling-tiger father far more.

He had tried, countless times, to use her as a bargaining chip for profit.

Cliff smiled, his gaze cold. "Looks like your mother was right. You really have become disobedient—even learned to lie."

"Let me be frank. Because of your recent behavior, I'd already agreed to arrange a marriage between you and the young heir of Lambert Group. But now... I'll give you a chance to choose for yourself."

"Whether you can seize it is up to you."

With that, the car door opened.

Ursula locked eyes with Greg, still reeling.

Behind her, Cliff shoved her forward. Greg caught her steadily.

Cliff's knowing laughter lingered in the air. "Mr. Weiss rarely visits Northport. Let Ursula show you some proper hospitality on my behalf."

That he'd uncovered Greg's identity so quickly only deepened Ursula's unease.

"Mr. Weiss, please don't get too close to me. I don't want to cause trouble for you or Hailey."

She instinctively stepped back. Greg's grip tightened.

"Choose me."

"What?"

In the shifting light and shadow, Greg's deep-set eyes drew closer, inch by inch.

"Choose me. Every problem you're facing—I'll handle it."

Ursula's pupils dilated.

But then he handed her a prenuptial agreement.

When she questioned him, Greg explained, "I need someone to hold the position of Mrs. Weiss. You happen to be suitable.Once you've made your decision, feel free to contact me.See you soon."

But that explanation didn't convince her. Ursula suspected this was about repaying a debt.

A headache was forming. She needed to find a chance to clear things up with him.

That night, At the Weiss residence, Hailey was equally baffled. "Bro, can't you just say you like her?"