Chapter 45: I need love.

Words : 1185 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 45: I need love. Becca’s patience snapped, and in a fit of blind rage, she raised her hand, ready to strike. But Anne was faster. Her fingers locked around Becca’s wrist in an iron grip, stopping the slap before it could land. "You still have the audacity to accuse me, even after being exposed?" Anne hissed. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she shoved Becca away, making her stumble back. "I didn’t do it," Becca shouted with desperation. "It’s you—it must be you." "What is this commotion about?" An authoritative voice sliced through the chaos like a blade. Denis’s sharp gaze landed on Becca, his expression dark with irritation. His presence alone sent a shiver of silence through the crowd. Becca turned to him and pleaded frantically, clutching at whatever last shred of hope she had, "Sir, please—you have to believe me. It’s Anne’s doing. She has the project details. How could I have leaked them when—" "Enough." Denis’s voice was as cold as steel. "Still lying? You should be grateful I’m not calling the police." Becca paled, but she still opened her mouth to defend herself. Denis didn’t give her a chance to speak. "Get out of here right away, or else you’ll regret it." Becca looked around, searching for a single sympathetic face. But no one came to her defense. Defeated, humiliated, and seething with unspoken rage, she gathered her belongings and stormed toward the exit. Anne watched her leave, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. Becca walked out of the office stiffly. She was sure Anne must have found a way to access her account, to frame her so flawlessly that even Denis didn’t question it. But she wasn’t going to let this slide. ’I’ll uncover the truth and clear my name,’ she vowed silently. The whispers of her colleagues swirled around the room. "Anne, come to my office." Denis’s cold voice rang yet again as he disappeared into his office. Anne had never seen him this unsettled before. A triumphant glint flickered in her eyes as she followed him in, expecting to bask in her victory. But the moment the door clicked shut behind her, the air in the room shifted. Denis grabbed her by the wrist and shoved her against the wall, his frame looming over hers. His hand pressed against the wall beside her head, trapping her in place. "You ignored me," he growled dangerously. "I called you, but you walked away like you didn’t hear me. Why didn’t you stop?" For a moment, Anne was speechless. But she quickly regained her composure. "I was in a hurry. I didn’t hear you." Bang His hand slammed against the wall. Anne flinched, her eyes squeezing shut. "Liar," he snarled. "You heard me. You knew I was calling you, but you purposely ignored me." "Yes, I ignored you," she admitted, leveling the glare. "Don’t forget—I’m married. And this is our workplace. So respect the boundaries and act like a professional." She pushed against his chest, but he barely budged. Instead, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head. "I haven’t agreed to break up with you," he hissed. "I don’t accept your marriage with Augustine." Then, as quickly as the fury came, his expression shifted. His gaze softened, his grip loosening slightly. "If you need money, just tell me. Don’t let others humiliate you." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sleek black card, holding it out to her. "There is five million on this," he said with a strange tenderness. "Take it. Don’t let yourself be humiliated." Anne’s eyes flicked to the card, then back to him. Disgust curled in her stomach. "I don’t need your charity," she spat, shoving his hand away. "Quit being so stubborn, Anne." His voice turned sharp, his frustration spilling over. "Face the truth—you can’t survive without me. The luxury you’ve been living in? Your so-called husband can’t afford it. The house he stays in belongs to the Beaumont family, and even the car he drives was a gift from my grandfather. What does he really have to offer you? Nothing." He sneered with disgust. "If we cut him off, he’ll have nowhere to go. I’m the only one who can give you the comfort and lifestyle you’re used to." Anne’s hands clenched into fists. His arrogance, his self-righteousness—it made her blood boil. "You’ve never understood me," she fired back. "You think I was with you because of the luxury you handed me? Your money means nothing to me. I don’t need it. I can earn my own living." "Enough," he thundered. "Stop pretending. I know you still need to pay the hospital bills." He shoved the card toward her once more. "Take this and pay the damn bills." But Anne didn’t even glance at it. Instead, she turned her head away. Her silent rejection only fueled Denis’s fury. She wasn’t bending. She wasn’t caving. And that realization set his blood on fire. "What’s wrong with you?" he barked. "You never said no to my money before. Why are you hesitating now?" Anne met his gaze with a cold and unwavering expression. "Yes, I accepted money from you before—because I loved you," she shot back. "I believed you were mine, saw you as my family, and gave you my whole heart. But now? That love is gone. You killed it with your own hands, crushed it beyond repair. I don’t love you anymore, and I will never take your money again." Her words sliced through him like a blade. Denis exhaled sharply, trying to suppress the storm raging inside him. "Don’t be reckless. You’re only making things harder for yourself." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Anne," he murmured, his voice almost pleading, "I know you’re angry with me. I promise to give you more time. But can you stop being so stubborn and come back?" He searched her face, desperate to see something—anything—that showed she still cared. "We had something good—we were happy together," he pressed on. "I miss those moments. I miss you. It hurts when you shut me out. Don’t do this." He cupped her face, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the fire in his eyes. "I’ll give you more money. Do you want a car? Let’s go buy one. What about a house? I found a newly built villa in an exclusive neighborhood—you’ll love it. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Just stay with me, okay?" Denis lowered his head, intent on capturing her lips in a desperate bid to sway her. But Anne shoved him away with force and stepped back, disgust flashing in her eyes. It disgusted her that he still believed money was the answer to everything. Yes, she was in desperate need of it—but not at the cost of her dignity. She refused to be a mere replacement, allowing him to manipulate her emotions for his own gain. "You actually think by throwing wealth at my feet, I’ll forget everything and crawl back to you?" She snorted bitterly. "You don’t understand anything, Denis. I need love."

Chapter 45: I need love.

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