Fame and fortune are but fleeting clouds, not as precious as the happiness shared by two people in love.

He had spent so much effort and time scheming to climb the ladder of power and wealth, managing to reach what felt like the clouds. Indeed, standing on that summit, one felt light and carefree, almost forgetting the world below, yet he also experienced the profound chill of solitude from such heights. All sorts of attacks, retaliations, and various other matters assailed him, overwhelming him and leaving him weary in body and soul. Now, having fallen back to earth, stripped of everything, he paradoxically felt more grounded and serene, no longer inclined to scheme and strive.

The only person who still stirred feelings in him at this moment was Julia Bluen.

He wanted to hate her, but found he couldn't.

Because the fault was his.

If he hadn't coveted the Powell family's wealth and status back then, perhaps he would now be the Bluen family's son-in-law, deeply in love with Julia Bluen. Alas! It was best not to dwell on such 'what ifs'.

After all, if one knew how things would turn out, why would one have started in the first place?

He had let go of his love for her because she was no longer a woman he could love.

Several people suddenly emerged from the Office Building. Leading them were Glades Horne and Julia Bluen, followed by Glades Horne's two black-clad Bodyguards.

Early in the morning, Julia Bluen had seen the front-page headlines of the newspaper. She guessed it was the work of her man. She knew Nicholas Coldwell well enough to believe that perhaps he didn't really love Diana Powell. However, at that moment, he definitely wouldn't dare betray Diana Powell, since he was still reliant on her to climb higher.

Besides Glades Horne, she couldn't think of a second person who could be the manipulator.

She also guessed that Nicholas Coldwell pestering her had been seen by James Horne. James probably told his elder brother, which was why Glades Horne would further attack Nicholas Coldwell.

Nicholas Coldwell had abandoned her, constantly climbing for status. Today, he had finally achieved something, even if it was obtained by leveraging his attractiveness; it was still what he himself desired. Glades Horne's attack like this would probably cause him to lose everything. Dio Powell, who valued his company above all else, would undoubtedly believe Nicholas Coldwell was the reason Cosmos had suffered this setback. He'd be eager for an excuse to oust Nicholas Coldwell. This time, it was just such an excuse.

A man who held his career in high regard suddenly being left with nothing—that sort of blow was actually the most brutal.

After seeing the front-page headlines, she couldn't resist coming to see Glades Horne.

But she didn't mention a single word about anything related to Nicholas Coldwell.

She only told Glades Horne that she missed him, so she came to see him.

Nicholas Coldwell instinctively thought of leaving. Watching Glades Horne and Julia Bluen walk together, both exuding an air of nobility he lacked. The man was handsome, the woman beautiful; they were clearly a pair made in heaven, a stark contrast to him, who was utterly out of place.

And yet...

Nicholas Coldwell's car pulled up and stopped before the main entrance of the Valence Group.

It was an unconscious act.

By the time his car stopped, he figured it was too late to leave. Glades Horne and Julia Bluen's car was already driving out, and Julia Bluen, sitting inside, had already seen him.

Once lovers, they now exchanged a glance through their car windows. Julia Bluen's expression was indifferent, showing neither joy nor sorrow. He probably didn't stir any emotions in her anymore, did he?

Nicholas Coldwell thought bitterly to himself.

Julia Bluen was actually a person of distinct loves and hates. If she loved, she loved; if she hated, she hated. The most fearsome thing was when she felt neither love nor hate for you.

At his wedding to Diana Powell, he had humiliated her so, personally erasing her love for him.

She had let go of her love for him, and by extension, didn't want to hate him either.

Once, he had thought that right after their breakup, she had thrown herself into Glades Horne's arms, proving she had never loved him. Now he knew he had long lost the right to question her.

To this day, Nicholas Coldwell still didn't know if Julia Bluen had loved Glades Horne when she married him. In her heart, Glades Horne had originally been her brother-in-law. For a brother-in-law to become a husband—such a drastic change in relationship wasn't something one could accept overnight. Nicholas Coldwell had abandoned her; she had been heartbroken, cried, suffered, and had also hated. It was amidst Glades Horne's endless affection that her wounds and pain were healed, allowing her to accept reality and Glades Horne.

Her feelings for Glades Horne had blossomed during their honeymoon.

Upon seeing Nicholas Coldwell, Glades Horne's handsome face immediately darkened.

This thick-skinned, shameless man actually dared to come to Valence Group.

Turning his head, he looked at Julia Bluen beside him. Seeing that she had only glanced at Nicholas Coldwell for a couple of moments before withdrawing her gaze, he felt slightly relieved. Julia Bluen, sensing his gaze, turned to give him a look and smiled faintly, "Worried I might run away?"

"You're already my wife. Even if I gave you a spaceship, you couldn't escape."

Confident enough, and domineering enough!

Nicholas Coldwell opened the car door and stepped out.

Since they had met, he decided to face it calmly. After all, he was about to leave this metropolis that had once given him hope but was now poised to crush it. He thought that by sincerely wishing Julia Bluen happiness, his own guilt might lessen considerably.

Seeing Nicholas Coldwell get out of the car, Glades Horne also exited his vehicle, the two Bodyguards following suit. Only Julia Bluen remained seated in the back, not wanting to look at Nicholas Coldwell. Instead, she took out her phone, logged into Twitter, and seemed to be chatting with someone.

"Nicholas Coldwell, I didn't expect you'd still dare to parade around town. But then again, you're quite the celebrity now; it would be a pity not to show off a little," Glades Horne said coolly, his words laced with sarcasm and a hint of acidity.

"Thanks to your generous doing, Young Master, I, Coldwell, have become more famous than ever before," Nicholas Coldwell retorted with equal coldness, gone was the apprehension and deference he used to show in Glades Horne's presence.

When a man has lost everything and has nothing left, he fears nothing.

Caring too much can sometimes be a burden.