Beneath the Perfect Disguise, I Quietly Slipped Away Chapter 8

Connor's POV

Connor had been distracted for the past few days.

Because Aurora was being... too sensible.

In the past, a month or two before an anniversary, she would be chirping about how she wanted to celebrate.

But today was the seventh anniversary.

If he hadn't mentioned it in the car this morning, she seemed to have completely forgotten about it.

Connor frowned, lowering his eyes to stare at his silent phone.

An inexplicable sense of loss of control crawled up his spine like a thousand ants.

It felt like something was draining away in a place he couldn't see.

He couldn't grasp it.

He had to do something to calm this damn anxiety.

So he sent another report message to Aurora:

Dealing with something important. Almost done.

Be good. Sunset Bistro, 6:30 PM.

Just then, a sickly sweet female voice rang out.

"Connor!"

Connor looked up with annoyance.

He saw Madison’s face.

And next to her, Robert Anderson.

A nurse pushed Edward Pierce’s wheelchair close behind.

Edward’s brow was permanently furrowed.

"Perfect timing to eat after talking business. So I called your future in-law along."

Robert also put on the airs of an elder, chiming in with Edward.

"It's been dragged out for a whole year. It's time to set a wedding date for you two."

"Your dad isn't in good health. Why did you call him over specifically?"

"Finish talking quickly so we can go eat."

Madison shyly nodded in cooperation.

"Of course."

The corner of Connor's mouth hooked into a cruel arc. There was zero humor in his eyes.

"Anyway, I planned to see Robert tomorrow regardless."

Robert just started to grin.

His smile froze at Connor’s next sentence.

"You're just in time. Let's talk about the North District development project."

"What project? What the hell are you talking about?"

Robert stared until his eyes almost popped out.

Edward's face instantly turned ashen too.

Only Madison remained naive and innocent.

"Oh, Daddy, it's just that land in the city center. Connor said it was urgent."

"Last night..." Madison blushed slightly.

"Anyway, last night I used your seal to help him approve the documents!"

With every word Madison spoke, the faces of the two old men turned a shade whiter.

In just a few sentences, Edward fainted from anger.

An emotional Robert was dragged out by security.

Only Madison froze in place like a puppet.

She seemed to finally understand her situation, her eyes turning red.

"...So you've been using me all along?"

"Everything... was fake? Just to make me trust you so you could destroy my dad?"

"I don't understand your business bullshit."

"But I never did anything to hurt you! I knew you had a girlfriend, but I still waited for you to break up with her. How could you do this to me?!"

Madison had naively allowed her dad to use his shares to pressure Connor into an arranged marriage.

Connor, having regained the shares and no longer needing to be controlled by anyone, didn't want to waste another expression on her.

His voice was cold and flat.

"Never hurt me?"

"If not for nepotism, how could you possibly get that position at Pierce Group?"

Madison looked at him like she was meeting him for the first time.

"Oh?" She wept. "So now you're standing up for your girlfriend Aurora?"

Connor didn't expect her to know about Aurora.

His brow furrowed slightly.

Madison caught it keenly.

So Aurora was this man's only weakness.

Her eyes were so red they looked like they would bleed.

Connor wanted to use her like a sticky note and throw her away?

She was going to be superglue—even if she died, she'd tear a layer of skin off him.

"Aurora submitted her resignation this morning."

"Since her rank is one level below mine, resignations for level four employees and below don't require your approval."

"I thought you should know. You're welcome."

Connor’s pupils constricted.

He checked his watch, stood up, and said coldly:

"I have things to do. Suit yourself."

Madison saw the panic in his quickened pace.

"Oh, one more thing!"

She felt the blood in her body screaming, her voice shrill and mean.

"Aurora saw us kissing last night!"

She watched with satisfaction as Connor’s hand froze on the door, every word dripping with vindictive pleasure:

"You really should have seen her face. God, it's a pity you missed it!"