You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

Jessica collapsed onto her seat, exclaiming, “It’s all Ms. Larson’s fault! If she hadn’t joined the company, we wouldn’t have met with this misfortune.”

The other employees in the design department had already submitted themselves to their fates.

Once Carter left the office, he immediately got into his car and drove off to a certain neighborhood. It was the one in which Tiffany stayed.

Carter parked his car. He sat inside, but the road was quiet outside. It was hard to tell if he was waiting for someone or if he had merely driven here by coincidence on a joyride.

Carter remained in this position for nearly half the night. When he finally caught sight of a woman walking towards the entrance, Carter immediately leaped into action. He got out of the car and dashed straight towards her.

The woman was none other than Tiffany, carrying a rubbish bag and dressed casually in a t-shirt and flip-flops. She waved to the security guard on duty as she walked past him. However, she had only taken a few steps when she encountered the sight of Carter racing towards her. Tiffany stopped short in her tracks.

She froze for a moment. Then she quickly recovered her wits and strode off hastily in the other direction.

Carter quickened his pace and caught up with her. Fearing that she’d slip off, he grabbed hold of her arm.

“Wait, Tiffany! I have something to ask you,” Carter had long since abandoned every thought of preserving his cool image in his great urgency.

This exchange had roused the security guard’s suspicions. He ran out from his post and eyed Carter with distaste, saying, “Ms. Winters, do you need my assistance?”

Carter broke in. “She’s my friend.”

Tiffany glared at Carter. However, she was unwilling to escalate the matter further. Tiffany thus replied the security guard, saying, “I’m fine, Mr. Langston. He’s my friend.”

The security guard fixed his gaze on Carter as he said, “That’s fine, Ms. Winters. Just give me a yell anytime you need my help.”

Tiffany nodded.

After the security guard had returned to his post, Tiffany said scornfully, “Mr. Scott, you’re indeed a jinx. Even the security guard thinks that you’re a bad seed.”

Carter looked thunderous.

“Tiffany, I didn’t come here to be insulted. I came to explain the matter regarding Amelia.” Carter decided to get directly to the point.

“Carter, can’t you get it through your head that Amelia’s already married? Is there any use for you clinging onto her like this? If you still hadn’t managed to succeed all those years ago, what makes you think you’d have a better chance now?” Tiffany tried to wrench her arm from his grip, but Carter held fast. “Carter, what on earth are you trying to do? I live here. What will my neighbors think when they see you clinging onto me like this?”

Tiffany decidedly did not want to be associated with Carter. He was handsome and eligible, and much like Oscar, turned heads wherever he went. It was impossible for anyone not to notice him. Tiffany was terrified that her neighbors would mistake him for her boyfriend or one of her suitors.

“You have two choices. Either you get into my car of your own accord, or I carry you into it. Either way, you’re getting on. Take your pick,” Carter said firmly.

Tiffany glowered at him.

couldn’t fathom what Carter wanted of her exactly. It couldn’t be out of any genuine desire to rekindle their old friendship,

say whatever you came to say right here. I don’t want to get into any trouble because of you. You’re a brilliant man, but you’re also very much a jinx. Nothing good will come out of meeting you.” It

quiet. There’s something I want to

with me then.”

and said impatiently, “Get to the point, Carter. My time is precious, and I don’t want to waste it here

was Amelia’s debt paid by Oscar

you then? Amelia called you countless times trying to borrow money to pay her debt, but you turned off your phone and vanished into thin air all at once. If Oscar hadn’t intervened, Amelia would still be in jail right now. Oscar may not have been the best for

immeasurably guilty. It was a dark chapter in his past that he’d fervently hoped would never see the light

He had left Amelia behind with good reason, but the

mumbled in

her anymore. The photos with you caused a misunderstanding between Amelia and Oscar. Amelia was so upset that she fainted dead away in my arms. The doctor said that if she experienced another one of such shocks, she might

his fists, looking

in the future for all the hurt I’ve caused her. But you can’t expect me not

“I’ve nothing else to say to you

back. He hesitated, then asked, “How has Amelia been all

has a husband and now a child of her own. How do you think she’s doing? She’s living her best life. Women don’t need much; a man’s love is more

brusquely, “Oscar is keeping another woman on the side. How can you say that Amelia is happy? Don’t you

as Oscar hasn’t asked to divorce her, Amelia is still part of the

say that?” Carter

would you have

into a contractual marriage with Oscar. She’d signed a series of rather unfair agreements, stating that even if Oscar cheated on her and had another child outside of wedlock, Amelia remained powerless to say no. She could

Amelia’s marriage held together

did he figure that

sort of contract?” She asked crossly,

don’t know about it,” Carter continued. “According to what I’ve found out, Oscar only considered Amelia after Cassie ran off. Based on the Clintons’ power and position,

about it, would you be able to change anything?” Tiffany challenged

if she was happy. I couldn’t help disappearing all those

it. Even if Amelia were to divorce Oscar, she wouldn’t choose to go with you

“Why not?”

she’s married to someone else and is pregnant with his child. That door shut four years ago. Don’t even think about

as if struck

Did Amelia like me previously? Is that

that Amelia liked

at him curiously. “Is it that much of

Amelia really like me before?”

I should say had a crush on you, rather. I thought an intelligent guy like you would be able to tell when a woman liked

not have been able to tell