Chapter 10 — The Wedding That Became a Goodbye

There is no need for that. Forest placed her briefcase down on the mahogany table, pulled out a chair, and seated herself with deliberate grace. Everything that requires discussion is clearly outlined in the agreement. It only remains for you to affix your signature.

The legal counsel representing River Huai adjusted his spectacles, his expression cautious. Mistress Forest, we have thoroughly reviewed the document you provided, yet we maintain that the legal validity of this so-called Romance Contract remains highly contestable. In particular, the clause concerning the liquidated damages specifies an exorbitant sum, one that a court of law would almost certainly deem unconscionable and disproportionate.

Forest slowly retrieved her phone from her handbag and tapped the screen to play an audio recording. The voice of River Huai filled the quiet room, crisp, resolute, and undeniable. I, River Huai, voluntarily enter into this agreement, and I solemnly swear that during the entirety of our romantic relationship, I shall never engage in any illicit or ambiguous affairs with any other woman. Should I breach this vow, I am fully prepared to compensate Mistress Forest with liquidated damages in an amount entirely at her discretion, determined by the severity of the offense, with absolutely no upper limit.

The timestamp of the recording dated back precisely three years, to the very beginning of their courtship. Color drained rapidly from River Huai face, his features contorting with a mixture of disbelief and panic.

Shall I submit this directly to the presiding judge as evidence? Forest asked, a faint, mocking smile gracing her lips as she regarded the flustered lawyer. Or perhaps you operate under the delusion that the judiciary is incapable of comprehending the phrase 'no upper limit'?

The attorney hung his jaw, utterly speechless, and cast a desperate glance toward his client. River Huai closed his eyes tightly, inhaling a long, shuddering breath before conceding. Prepare the document; I shall sign.

Sir River, you cannot possibly— the lawyer attempted to intervene.

I said I will sign it! River Huai slammed his fist against the tabletop with a sharp crash, the sudden outburst instantly collapsing into the pathetic deflation of a punctured balloon. He snatched the fountain pen from the desk and, with trembling fingers, painfully etched his name across the bottom of the agreement.

Forest retrieved the paper, carefully inspected the signature to ensure its authenticity, and then extracted a thick file folder from her tote. This is the finalized repayment schedule for the one million two hundred thousand currency units associated with the real estate deposit of Willow Wan Yi. Please be so kind as to forward it to her. If she finds herself destitute, you are welcome to shoulder the debt in her stead—after all, it was entirely on account of her tireless servitude to you that she lost her professional standing in the first place.

Having completed his signature, River Huai appeared to age a decade in a matter of seconds. He rose slowly to his feet, gazing down at Forest while his lips parted slightly, unable to form coherent words.

Is there something else you require? Forest arched an eyebrow, her expression ice cold.

Did you... ever truly love me?

The unexpected inquiry caused Forest to pause for a fraction of a second. She scrutinized River Huai with genuine contemplation before offering her honest reply. I did. But you proved entirely incapable of cherishing it.

Without waiting for a response, she hoisted her briefcase, pivoted sharply on her heel, and strode out of the conference room. The sharp, rhythmic clicking of her stiletto heels echoed relentlessly against the polished floorboards—tac, tac, tac—each step resolute, echoing an absolute finality devoid of the slightest trace of lingering attachment.

At two-fifty in the afternoon, within the discreet confines of a private club situated in the western district, Forest parked her vehicle and walked toward the entrance. There, leaning casually against the sleek body of a black luxury sedan, stood a tall man with his gaze fixed downward upon the screen of his handheld device. He was dressed in a charcoal gray bespoke suit, conspicuously devoid of a necktie, with the topmost button of his pristine shirt casually undone to reveal the striking contours of his collarbone. His stature easily surpassed one hundred and eighty-five centimeters, boasting broad shoulders and a tapering waist that made him appear as though he had stepped straight off the glossy cover of a high-fashion periodical under the warm afternoon sun.

Depth Shen.

Upon hearing his name, he lifted his head, caught sight of Forest approaching, and offered a polite, restrained nod. Mistress Forest.

His spoken voice possessed a timbre even more captivating than it had over telephonic communications—deep, resonant, and smooth as the rich tones of a cello.

Counselor Shen. Forest closed the remaining distance, extending a slender hand in greeting. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Depth Shen enclosed her hand within his own, his grip measured and professional, the temperature of his skin carrying a cool, refreshing chill reminiscent of fine jade left exposed to the morning dew.

Please, allow me, he said, stepping gracefully aside to clear the pathway. I have reserved a private parlor on the second floor where we shall remain entirely undisturbed by outsiders.

The interior aesthetic of the club heavily favored a neo-classical oriental motif, seamlessly blending rich dark mahogany with textured silk velvets to project an atmosphere of secluded exclusivity and understated opulence. As Forest followed Depth Shen up the winding staircase, she could not help but observe the remarkable stability and unhurried grace of his gait, his leather-soled shoes pressing silently against the plush carpeting without producing a single sound. A man possessing such deliberate composure undoubtedly approached all professional endeavors with the same meticulous precision—guarded, serene, and calculating every potential variable with absolute exactitude.