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"Sorry, Amelia. Isabella manipulated me! She lied about you! I pitied her!"
"Now I see her for what she is! You were right about Southside!
"Payne Corp is bankrupt! Isabella dumped me! She framed me for the forged seals!"
"I was blind! Amelia, I love you! Truly!"
He poured out "love". I didn't believe a word.
"Too late. Your blindness cost you everything."
I turned to leave. Gavin dropped to his knees.
Leo gasped.
"Mr Payne! Really?" He moved to lift him.
Gavin resisted, tears welling.
"Amelia, please! Only you can save me! Help me rebuild! I swear I'll treat you like a queen! I know you're with him to hurt me! You still love me!"
A faint smile touched my lips. The fish bit.
"I can help."
Gavin's eyes lit up.
"But I'm a businesswoman. I help business-wise."
"Payne Corp is done. Dragging it out only deepens the hole."
"I'll buy it. Five million. Use it to restart. Better than drowning in debt."
Payne Corp under Gavin was doomed. I could revive it, expand my empire.
Five million was small for him, but a lifeline now.
He hesitated. I pressed on.
"My only offer. Decide fast. Delay, and I can't help."
Gavin weighed it, jaw clenched.
"Deal." He tried to say more. I walked away.
News spread fast. Rumors vanished.
New headlines emerged: Amelia Hamilton & Leo Vance – Power Couple.
Leo grinned, scrolling.
"See? The internet ships us. Amelia, the masses aren't blind. Marry me?"
Leo kept joking like this. It grated.
"What's in it for me? No benefit."
Leo frowned.
"No benefit? I'd move mountains for you! Not enough?"
I laughed.
Suddenly, Leo looked serious.
"Amelia. I mean it. I love you. Would you... consider me?"
I'd always seen him as my best friend. But since I left Gavin, his gaze on me had changed.
Now, looking closely... he was brilliant, handsome. A catch.
A tiny smile escaped.
"I'll... think about it."
Leo froze, then beamed.
Our moment shattered. Mr Wright called.
Urgent. Asking me to come home.
As I arrived, Mr Wright was slapping Isabella hard.
"Do you realize what you've done?! Your sister warned against Southside! You forged seals! The losses are catastrophic!"
Isabella whimpered.
"How was I to know?! Gavin tricked me! I'm sorry! I dumped him! What more do you want?!"
"You chased Gavin! You stole him from Amelia!"
"And now you wash your hands of him? How do we face the Paynes?!"
Mr Wright’s voice trembled with rage.
"Leave. From today, I have no daughter!"
As they argued, Isabella spotted us. Eyes blazing, she pointed at me.
"Kick me out? For her?! I'm your blood! And you choose a stranger?!"
Mr Wright hung his head, devastated.
"Fine! Don't regret it!"
Isabella stormed out, hatred in her eyes.
Mr Wright looked exhausted. He gestured me over, handing me a document.
Share Transfer Agreement.