Chapter 4

Marcus spent an entire week with Seraphina, never coming home. On the third day, he sent me a message: "Keep an eye on the company, don't bother me." I replied with "Okay," then continued my work.

I contacted all the company's early investors, arranging meetings with them as the nominee shareholder. Those investors were the ones I'd accompanied Marcus to meet, one by one, all those years ago. Every one of them remembered me.

"Ms. Vance, are you planning to..." Mr. Thompson, the first person I met, asked cautiously.

"Mr. Thompson, do you remember the right of first refusal clause we signed in the investment agreement back then?"

Mr. Thompson's eyes flashed. "I remember. If Mr. Thorne transfers shares, we have the right of first refusal."

"It's not Mr. Thorne." I pushed a copy of the nominee agreement across the table. "It's me. I want to transfer the company shares held in my name as nominee, and you are the first person with the right of first refusal."

Mr. Thompson picked up the agreement and read it carefully. When he looked up, his expression had completely changed. "Ms. Vance, you and Mr. Thorne..."

"Household matters," I smiled. "Mr. Thompson just needs to tell me whether you wish to exercise your right of first refusal."

Mr. Thompson was silent for a long time. "Ms. Vance, honestly, when I invested in this company back then, I valued not just the project, but also the combination of you and Mr. Thorne. You handled internal affairs, he handled external; you worked together very well."

"And now?"

"Now..." He sighed. "I hear Mr. Thorne hasn't been focused on the company lately. He even missed the funding meeting to pick up his ex-wife. Word is all over the industry."

I didn't speak.

"I'll take your shares." Mr. Thompson made his decision. "At the highest market price."

"Thank you, Mr. Thompson."

Over the next week, I met with all the early investors. Everyone knew what Marcus had been doing lately, and everyone was shaking their heads.

"Ms. Vance, you've been wronged." I heard that sentence at least ten times. Each time, I just smiled and said, "Household matters, let's not discuss it." But I knew in my heart that these investors were willing to buy the shares not just because they were optimistic about the company's future, but more because they no longer trusted Marcus. Who would dare continue to invest in a founder who would stand up an investor meeting?

On the seventh day, Marcus finally returned. I was sitting in the living room reading a book when he walked in. He looked to be in a good mood, a smile on his lips, wearing clothes I'd never seen before.

"Seraphina picked it out for me, Italian bespoke. What do you think?" He deliberately spun around in front of me.

"It's nice," I closed my book. "Regarding the funding, a few investors are interested; you need to come back and talk to them personally."

"You handle it," he waved his hand. "Seraphina and I are going to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. We leave next week."

"You don't want the funding?"

"We'll talk about it when I get back. The Northern Lights aren't something you can see just any time."

I looked at him, and for the first time, I didn't try to persuade him. "Fine. Go."

He seemed surprised, apparently not expecting me to be so agreeable. "You're not going to make a fuss?"

"A fuss about what?" I stood up. "You're right, I'm not qualified to compare myself to Seraphina Dubois. If you want to be with her, go be with her."

He froze, then laughed, a slightly smug laugh. "Elara Vance, you've finally come around. Don't worry, I'll bring you back a gift."

He went upstairs, his footsteps light as if he were walking on clouds. I stood there, looking down at my phone. Mr. Hayes had sent a message: "All share transfer agreements are ready, just waiting for your signature." I replied: "He's going to Iceland next week. I'll sign then."