Chapter 79: Gustave’s remorse

Words : 1177 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 79: Gustave’s remorse Gustave was caught off guard, his pupils widening. ’Madam Anne... she is the one who saved him back then!’ The realization crashed over him like a tidal wave, leaving him momentarily speechless. Then, as soon as the truth settled, guilt gnawed at him. His shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head, regretting every harsh word he had spoken to Anne before. He had judged her unfairly, completely unaware of her past connection to Augustine. "She is the only woman I’ve ever truly cared for," Augustine continued. His voice was thick with emotions and conviction. "She is the only one I’ve ever loved. But back then, I was too much of a coward to tell her. I convinced myself she wouldn’t like me. So, I kept my distance, watching her from afar." A bitter smile tugged at his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Like many other girls in school, she was smitten with Denis. I saw it. I wanted to warn her, to tell her that he wasn’t the man she thought he was. But I never found the courage to step forward." His hands curled into fists behind his back, his entire body rigid with tension. "If I had spoken up back then—if I had shown her the truth—maybe she wouldn’t have had to suffer. Maybe she wouldn’t have been left heartbroken." His voice dropped into something almost possessive, resolute. "But that doesn’t matter anymore. Things have changed now. She is finally with me. And this time, I won’t lose her. And I won’t let anyone stir up issues between us." Finally, Augustine turned to face Gustave, his gaze sharp and unyielding, cold as a frozen abyss. "And that includes you." Those words were enough to make Gustave realize his boss was furious with him. The sharp authority in Augustine’s voice left no room for negotiation. Gustave dropped to his knees, his head bowed in submission. His body trembled—not just from fear but from the crushing guilt that gnawed at his insides. He felt the confidence drain from him entirely. "Mercy, boss," he pleaded, his chest heavy with remorse. "I was wrong. I acknowledge my mistake." He took a shaky breath as he continued, "When I saw you hurt, I lost my sense of reason. I overstepped my boundaries—I said things I had no right to say. I humiliated Madam and even had the audacity to ask her to leave you." He didn’t hide anything, nor did he try to find an excuse to escape the consequences. His fists clenched at his sides. "I don’t deserve forgiveness. Please punish me as you see fit." A tense silence settled in the room. Gustave kept his head down, waiting, bracing himself. Then, Augustine’s voice cut through the air. "Rise." Gustave obeyed immediately, scrambling to his feet, but he still didn’t dare to meet his boss’s gaze. Augustine straightened his back, his expression unreadable as he studied Gustave. "You wronged Anne. You owe her an apology. And whatever punishment she deems fit—you will accept it without complaint." Gustave swallowed hard and nodded. "Understood, sir. I will apologize to Madam." Augustine’s sharp gaze softened slightly before he gave a short nod. "Good. Now, go pick up the gift I prepared for Anne." Without another word, Gustave bowed deeply before turning around and leaving the room. Augustine let out a quiet breath and settled onto the sofa, grabbing the file from the coffee table. He opened it, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere—toward Anne and the evening he had planned to spend with her. ~~~~~~~~ By the time Augustine returned home, the golden hues of dusk bathed the sky in brilliant pinks and fiery oranges. As he stepped inside, his gaze immediately found Anne, who was waiting for him with a bright smile. "You are back," she greeted warmly, stepping toward him. But as her eyes landed on the elegantly wrapped gift box in his hand, her smile wavered slightly. "What’s that?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her gaze. A small smirk played on Augustine’s lips as he extended the box toward her. "A gift—for you." Anne beamed in surprise. "For me?" she echoed, excitement bubbling in her voice. She carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. The moment her eyes fell on the contents inside, she let out a sharp breath, her lips parting in astonishment. "A dress?" She pulled it out of the box. As the fabric unfolded before her, a wave of recognition struck her. She had seen this very dress before—displayed in the exclusive boutique she had visited with Audrey. The elegant design and flawless craftsmanship had captivated her, but the steep price had held her back from even considering it. Yet, here it was, in her hands, a gift from Augustine. Noticing her stunned expression, Augustine chuckled with amusement. "Do you like it?" Anne ran her fingers over the luxurious fabric, still in disbelief. "I... I love it. But why would you buy such an expensive dress for me? Where would I even wear it?" Augustine stepped closer, his deep gaze locking onto hers. "As the wife of a CEO, you’ll need to attend events with me—social gatherings, galas, business parties," he stated, his tone filled with quiet pride. "And don’t worry about the cost. I can afford to spoil you." Anne’s hesitation melted into a playful smile. She tilted her head, eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, does this mean you are taking me to a party?" Augustine’s lips curved into a firm nod. "Yes. Now, go get ready." Anne’s playful smile vanished, her face turning blank with disbelief. She had only been teasing him, never expecting him to take her words seriously. "What? Are you serious?" she blurted out, eyes widening in shock. "Yes, we are going to a charity party," he confirmed. "Get ready." Anne’s surprise quickly shifted to concern. She set the dress aside and looked up at him again, her expression serious. "You just got out of the hospital. You need to rest, not rush off to a party." A warm feeling settled in Augustine’s chest at her concern. The way she cared for him—it was something he had longed for. His heart swelled with contentment as he gently held her arms. "I’m perfectly fine," he reassured her. "Trust me. Besides, this party is important. I’ve just returned to the country and taken on major responsibilities. I need to establish connections with the city’s influential figures." In truth, the party was being hosted by the mayor, who had invited him personally. He had to maintain a good relationship with him for smooth business operations. Strengthening his ties with the mayor would open up many possibilities and give him leverage—not only for his business but also against Denis. Anne studied him for a moment, taking in the determination in his eyes. She knew he wouldn’t back down, and more importantly, she understood the significance of this event. With a small sigh, she nodded. "Alright," she relented. "I’ll go get ready." Grabbing the dress, she strode toward her room.

Chapter 79: Gustave’s remorse

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