Chapter 3: Lina

Gibson trudged down the deserted street, the cold wind whipping at his face as he struggled to keep his head hung low. 

The weight of the divorce was bearing down on him, leaving him feeling dejected and helpless, like a ship lost at sea. 

The sadness that had taken over his heart was churning in his stomach, making it hard for him to even take one step at a time.

As he walked, his phone rang, and Gibson glanced at the caller ID, seeing it was a number he didn't recognize. With a heavy sigh, he answered the call, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.

"Hello?" he said, barely above a whisper.

"Young master, it's President Adams," a deep voice replied, cutting through the silence like a knife. 

Gibson was immediately reminded of the immense responsibility that he carried on his shoulders.

He smiled as he heard the respectful title Adams called him. His face lit up as he answered the call. 

"Hello, President Adams," Gibson replied.

“Should the new contract be sent to Toluene company?”

The president's question hit Gibson like a ton of bricks, sending a wave of conflicting emotions through his mind. His ex-wife's company, Toluene, was not a name that he wanted to hear. 

Memories of their relationship flooded his mind, and he felt his stomach churn at the thought of continuing doing business with her.

Gibson hesitated for a moment, his mind racing as he tried to make the right decision. He knew that he had to put his personal feelings aside and do what was best for his company. 

With a deep breath, he finally spoke, "Yes, the new contract should be sent to the Toluene Company, but this should be the last contract with them. Please let them know."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the president responded. "Understood Sir. I will take care of it. Have a good day."

As Gibson ended the call, he let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of his decision settling on his shoulders. He was lost in thought when a sleek car pulled up beside him, its engine purring quietly. 

The car's window rolled down, revealing a beautiful girl who leaned out, her long hair blowing in the wind.

Gibson's heart skipped a beat as he was amazed by her stunning beauty.

As Gibson stood some distance away from the car still staring, he was greeted by the young beautiful woman with a bright smile on her face. 

She had a radiant aura about her that made him feel warm and fuzzy inside. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Schwartz?" she asked from inside her car, her voice filled with excitement.

Gibson looked at her, bewildered. His name wasGibson Schwartz so she was right by calling him Mr. Schwartz, but he had never seen her before in his life, so he asked, "Who are you?"

His mind was racing, trying to figure out who this girl was and why she was looking for him.

Without saying a word, the girl suddenly sprang out of the car and dashed towards him. Gibson stood there in shock, wondering what was happening. 

Before he could even react, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

“10 years ago, when you were still a teen, you saved me from some gangsters and gave my family 10 thousand dollars. With this money, my family has now became one of the richest families in this city!” She said as she let go of him. 

Gibson was taken aback by her sudden affection, but he soon realized who she was. "Lina?" he exclaimed, pulling away from the embrace. 

He couldn't believe it had been ten years since he last saw her.

As he gazed at Lina, he could see the transformation that had taken place in her life. She was no longer the timid and frightened girl he had rescued from the gangsters all those years ago. 

Instead, she was now a confident and successful businesswoman, radiating with pride and joy.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Gibson felt tears welling up in his eyes. He was proud of Lina and the incredible journey she had taken. 

As they caught up on old times, Gibson couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and fulfillment for having played a part in Lina's success.

"It's so good to see you!" Gibson said, smiling.

Lina's eyes glistened with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration as she lifted her gaze towards Gibson. 

Her heart overflowed with an overwhelming sense of appreciation that could hardly be contained. 

She spoke with a voice filled with sincerity, brimming with a deep sense of appreciation and indebtedness, 

"I could never forget what you did for us. Your kindness touched my soul and that of my family in ways that I cannot describe." 

Her mind raced with the memories of the past, the sacrifice Gibson made for her and her family. 

With a deep sense of obligation, she knew that she had to do something to repay his kindness. 

"Please come with me to a business party tonight. Allow me to return the favor. I assure you that it will be worth your while," she pleaded with a look of sincerity etched on her face.

Gibson's chest felt like it was about to burst with warmth as he heard the genuine sincerity in Lina's voice. 

Her words had a way of penetrating his heart and evoking intense emotions that he couldn't contain. Despite his misgivings, he couldn't bring himself to refuse her request.

He felt a tinge of uncertainty cloud his mind as he contemplated the idea of going to the party. The thought of being surrounded by strangers made him feel uneasy. 

He had always been more of a wallflower, preferring to blend into the background. However, the look on Lina's face made it impossible for him to turn her down.

With a hesitant tone, he voiced his doubts, "I don't know if I'm in the mood for parties, Lina."

But Lina was nothing if not persistent. She begged him to accompany her, her eyes filled with an unspoken plea. "Please, Gibson," she implored. "It's an important event, and I need you there with me."

Gibson took a deep breath, still unsure of what to do. However, the unwavering look in Lina's eyes was enough to sway him. 

With a reluctant nod, he relented, knowing that he would regret it if he didn't go.

Before he knew it, he was sitting in Lina's car, staring out of the window as they drove towards the party. 

The thoughts in his mind were jumbled, his heart beating faster than usual. He had no idea what to expect,

 As they journeyed, Lina regaled him with stories about her family's success, how they had managed to amass wealth and power over the years.

“The party is for our potential business partners and companies all over the country who are looking to partner with us. Lina explained to him as they drove. 

Gibson listened attentively, but his mind was now elsewhere. He couldn't help but wonder if his ex-wife's company, Toluene, was one of the potential business partners that Lina's family was looking to partner with.