CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92- IN FRANCE

She couldn’t believe she had kept feeling pity for him. Even if August hadn’t directly done that deed, he was definitely involved. Yet he had just stood by and watched her fall right into their trap. Janet desperately wanted to know what kind of mindset he had when facing her afterward.

It turned out that from the very beginning, he had been using her as a pawn to get back at Charles. Janet had suspected his intentions before but refused to accept it. Now, with the truth staring her in the face, she had no choice but to admit her own foolishness.

She even began to doubt whether the dark stories Manfred had told her were fabrications made by them.

"Well..." Janet muttered, feeling frustrated with herself. Looking into Charles’s affectionate eyes, she felt the smile in his gaze as he gently brushed her nose and softly asked, "Then, will you see him again?"

"No, I’ll stay by your side from now on," Janet promised firmly, nodding as if making a vow. She wouldn’t let him be angry or hurt anymore.

That incident had shaken him deeply. Although they both knew nothing actually happened that day, the media had sensationalized it. Now, under Charles’s pressure, the company was rife with whispers behind her back. She tried to ignore the controversy but couldn’t help feeling hurt.

"Janet, remember your promise—I don’t like lies," Charles said seriously. Like his father Derrick, he could tolerate neither deceit nor betrayal. For the woman he loved, he gave his whole heart and wouldn’t allow even a speck of dust to tarnish it.

After August left Black Rock Co., he went straight back to Manfred’s apartment. Half an hour later, Manfred’s tall figure appeared. Seeing August’s cold, grim face, Manfred calmly said, "It’s better that you left. From now on, come to ZT."

"I never thought I’d lose so fast. Manfred, Charles is something else," August said, lying sprawled on the living room sofa, one hand covering his forehead, his lips barely moving. Manfred sat opposite him. They had long prepared for the worst. Black Rock Co. had never been what August truly wanted. When Norman willingly gave up all his shares, it was for the woman he loved.

August’s goal wasn’t the company itself—he wanted to make Derrick and Charles suffer. But in the end, the punishment fell on Philip, and Janet had dragged Charles into the mess. He had no better way to torment Charles than this.

"We haven’t lost yet. I’ll stake the entire ZT Group and fight him to the end!" Manfred’s face radiated determination. But August couldn’t stop thinking about Charles’s last words before he left—that even if they lost everything, their hatred wouldn’t end.

ZT was Manfred’s pride and joy. Without it, he had nothing.

Was August really willing to gamble away Manfred’s heart and soul?

Ternence couldn’t control his heart any longer. Driving toward the airport, his only thought was to see her one last time.

Zoey was leaving for France.

But by the time he arrived, the sweet voice of the announcer echoed through the terminal — the flight to France was about to depart.

Ternence glanced toward the security checkpoint, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her back. He wanted to see her once more. Those passionate days they had spent together in France... if he hadn’t returned home and met Charles, could their relationship have lasted?

"Jin, you came after all!" A sultry voice sounded behind him like a harmony, making him turn in disbelief. Her striking features, partly hidden behind large sunglasses, concealed her eyes — but her innate pride was unmistakable, just as breathtaking as when he first met her.

"You’re not leaving?" He looked at the suitcase she still carried, surprised.

"I’m on the next flight." Zoey studied his face, unfamiliar after some time apart. He seemed more mature now; the carefree air replaced by a sense of responsibility. From his recent distance, Zoey could feel his change. No matter how much they used to quarrel, if she called him, he would come running. Thinking back to those years in France, there were other men around her, but Ternence had stayed the longest.

"Why?" Ternence didn’t dare to think it was for him, but when Zoey told him, he couldn’t help but feel touched.

"My father’s urging me home. I’ve had enough fun. What about you? When will you return to France?" Zoey’s hands slid up his chest, suddenly noticing a scent on him — different from Charles’s.

"I... might not go back to France. I’m staying here to help my dad run the company." They were from different worlds after all. Zoey was right — he wasn’t good enough for her.

A flicker of sadness flashed through his heart, but when Zoey kissed the corner of his lips, the long-dormant passion burst into flame again. Thinking that he might never see her again, Ternence didn’t hesitate; he pulled her into a deep kiss.

"If you miss me, come find me in France. After all, our bodies fit so perfectly." Zoey said softly, knowing Charles now belonged to someone else. She had once said — if not for Charles, maybe they could have had a chance. But she wouldn’t use pride to hold onto a man.

Ternence watched her graceful figure disappear from sight. No matter where she was, he would always recognize her in a crowd at first glance. Smiling to himself, he touched his lips still tingling with her warmth — so, at least he had one thing that made her remember him.

"This was well done. So, what’s your next move?" Derrick looked at Charles with satisfaction. After all, Charles hadn’t disappointed him — he had made sure August entered Black Rock Co. openly, only to be kicked out like a drowning dog.

"What do you want me to do?" Charles looked up, his complex eyes shadowed with unease. He was doing this for Janet. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten to avenge Philip — it wasn’t just about forcing August out.

Since Janet came into his life, he realized the hatred in his heart wasn’t as fierce as before. Because he cared for her, he planned ahead, seeing things from her perspective — afraid she would fear his ruthlessness, afraid she’d worry about him.

But he promised — once August was dealt with, he would love Janet with all his heart. He still owed her a honeymoon. He still owed her a child.

"No matter what you do, I want him to suffer worse than death!" Derrick clenched his fists tightly, haunted by memories of Norman and Sienna’s loving scenes — those two had deceived him for so long. They would pay in blood.