Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 482: Finally Giving Up Days had passed since the Aurora incident, and Susan assumed NE had already finalized the perfdeal. But now, hearing his tone, things didn't sound promising.

"Is it because of me?" Susan asked, already knowing the answer. The company's attitude toward her had made it clear. If there had been any chance of salvaging the situation, they wouldn't have treated her this way.

Her manager had been overwhelmed these past days, dealing with the fallout of her terminated contracts. Every brand she endorsed had canceled their agreements, leaving her to pay penalty fees one after another.

Her reputation had plummeted to rock bottom. NE mentioning Susan as an ambassador to other companies was enough for them to react like Aurora had- completely unwilling to collaborate.

Deadlines kept being pushed back, and even NE's team began advising him to give up on Susan. But he had already made a promise, and he couldn't bear to see the disappointment on Susan's face.

He was still trying to figure things out. If all else failed, he knew he'd have to resort to the last option.

"It's not your fault. I'll handle it," he reassured her.

Susan knew perfectly well it was because of her. She was deliberately taking advantage of Marcos' feelings, refusing to let go.

If she truly cared about him, the best thing she could do was step back willingly. But Susan had pinned all her hopes on Marcos, and no matter what happened, she wouldn't give up.

She also knew Marcos still had one last card to play-his family's company, Clothville, the leader in skincare products.

Such a powerful resource, and yet he had chosen not to use it. If no other buyer stepped forward to acquire the perfrights, Marcos would be forced to play his final card.

This was exactly what Susan was counting on. With Clothville's reputation, there might even be a chance to restore her image.

However, this went against Marcos' principles. He had always avoided leveraging his family's influence. But things had reached such a critical point that there was no other way.

"I'm sorry, Marcos. Are you free tonight? Lettreat you to dinner. It's been a while since we've seen each other," Susan said, determined to tighten her grip on him, ensuring she wouldn't lose this chance.

"Sure. Pick a place, and I'll come," Marcos replied, his voice weary, before hanging up the phone.

He stared at the documents in his hands. Every company interested in buying his perfrights had walked away. Even with the significant concessions he had offered, none of them were willing to proceed. Susan had beca liability no one wanted to touch.

Deep down, he understood there was another force at play-Julian.

The man had turned against him entirely in retaliation for his angering Aurora. Now, Julian was sabotaging him from the shadows.

While other companies hesitated because of Susan's scandal, he knew that wasn't the sole reason. A few charity events could have smoothed things over, and he had already made generous compromises.

But none of it mattered. His efforts were met with rejection, leaving him with no choice but to rely on his family's company.

So be it. He had promised Susan, and he wouldn't be the one to break his word.

Susan hung up the phone and crushed her cigarette underfoot. Her twith Hayden these past days had left her feeling exhausted. He had shattered her last shred of hope.

If she couldn't see a future with Hayden, she would find her own elsewhere. Aurora, Hayden, I won't let you have the last laugh! I'll live better than both of you.

After taking a shower and changing into fresh clothes, Susan passed by the study and saw Hayden buried in his work.

He looked so focused, so handsome-just like the man she had fallen for years ago. But everything had changed now.

There was a twhen Susan dreamed that being with him would bring her happiness. Of course, that dream always involved eliminating Aurora first.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience—all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! She had believed this for so long. And now, she had finally married him, bechis wife, and fulfilled her dream.

Only now did she realize that being together didn't guarantee happiness. If his heart wasn't with her, nothing she did would ever please him.

If that was the case, why should she keep humiliating herself by waiting for him? "Hayden," she called softly, stepping into the study.

He paused his work and looked up at her with cold detachment. To him, she wasn't his wife-she was a stranger.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone distant.

Every the looked at her like that, she felt a pang of sorrow. She was his wife, wasn't she? "I'm going out," she said, stepping closer, letting the scent of her perfwaft toward him. Surely, a husband would ask where his wife was going at night? "I know," he replied, his gaze already back on his files. He didn't ask where she was going or who she was meeting-not even when she'd return.

Was she truly so insignificant to him? His indifference hurt her more than anything else.

"I won't be back tonight," she added, deliberately emphasizing her words.

"Got it," he said, not even looking up this time.

Whether she told him or not, it made no difference to him. Was this what being husband and wife meant?

A bitter smile curled on Susan's lips.

Fine, Hayden. You've crushed every bit of hope I had from now on, I'll make you regret this for the rest of your life! She left decisively, though deep down, she wished he would call out to her, ask her to stay.

Her demands weren't unreasonable. Just one word of reassurance from him, and she would have let go of everything else and stayed by his side as a devoted wife. But as she reached the door, his voice finally broke the silence.

"Wait." Susan spun around, her heart racing, ready to throw herself into his arms. But all she saw was the scold expression in his eyes.

"When you leave, close the door behind you. And next time, knock before entering," he said, his words cutting like ice.

Her hands clenched into fists, her face darkened with anger, and she spat out a single word: "Fine!" She slammed the door behind her, not looking back. This time, she wouldn't return.

As the cold wind hit her face, it felt less icy than the chill in her heart.

The driver was already waiting at the gate. Susan climbed into the cam without a word, stealing a final utay glance at the house she once imagined as their love nest. Leaves swirled in the frosty wind, and she turned away. "Let's go," she ordered, her voice devoid of emotion.

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