After hanging up the phone, Stella lingered in the corridor for a moment. She didn’t return immediately to the set. Instead, she let the cool breeze wash over her face, the soft gusts of wind offering a fleeting sense of calm. The chill of the air settled her nerves slightly, though the weight of the conversation still lingered in her mind.
She understood exactly what Weston had meant. It was as if he viewed her not as a person, but as an object, something to be used for his pleasure. To him, she was disposable, no more than a tool to fulfill his desires. A bitter smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she pushed the thoughts away. She could no longer afford to dwell on them—not when she had a goal to focus on.
Her mind shifted back to one thing only: her ambition. The thought of becoming famous was her only escape, her only way out of his grasp. She was determined now, more than ever, to carve her own path and break free from his control.
Ford Corporation
After a busy meeting, Ben walked over to Weston’s desk, holding a stack of papers. “Mr. Ford, these are the project details for Ahn City. Please take a look.”
Weston flipped through the documents absentmindedly but then paused, a thought crossing his mind. “Show me the publicity plan,” he said, his voice sharp with a new direction in mind.
With the Ford Corporation’s upcoming move to Fern City, the team had already laid much of the groundwork, including media outreach. The usual approach had always involved charitable acts as a way to bolster their reputation, but Weston was no longer interested in just charity.
“Fern University,” Weston said, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “It’s one of the top universities in the country. We need to change this year’s plan. Instead of charity, let’s sponsor a group of top students to study abroad.”
Ben raised an eyebrow, listening intently as Weston continued. “Fern University has an exceptional reputation and high-quality students. Instead of spending resources on recruitment, let’s cultivate talent directly from the school. We can shape them into future assets for the company. It will improve our reputation and save us a lot of effort in the long run.”
Ben didn’t need further explanation. Weston’s employees were all highly efficient, and it didn’t take long before Ben arranged everything. They reached out to the university, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The school was thrilled at the opportunity to partner with the corporation. They immediately arranged for a representative to meet with Ben.
The meeting was something Ben could have handled alone, but Weston decided to take a more personal approach. “We’re not doing charity,” he reiterated, his tone cool and direct. “The students we sponsor have to be qualified—exceptional individuals with potential.”
As they sat in Weston’s office, the representative from Fern University nodded in agreement, handing over a list of students who met the criteria. “Here are our top students, Mr. Ford. Please take a look.”
Weston scanned the list, his eyes quickly zeroing in on one name. Roger. The name was ranked at the very top, his grades significantly surpassing those of the other students, even in a university known for its high achievers.
Weston’s thoughts shifted. Though he’d never paid much attention to Roger before, he couldn’t deny the intrigue now. When Weston had married Stella, he had only given Roger money, believing that money could solve anything. But now, looking at Roger’s impressive academic standing, he felt something stir within him.
He shot Ben a subtle glance, and Ben immediately understood. “Why doesn’t this student have any record of grades from two years ago?” Weston asked, a question loaded with intent.
The representative from the university seemed momentarily puzzled. “Ah, yes. This student transferred from another university. While there’s no record from the previous two years, he’s performed excellently since. He had to leave for two years due to health reasons, but he has the same academic qualifications as before. He’s now enrolled in the computer science program.”
Weston tapped his pen on the table, deep in thought. “He’s done well for someone who was out for two years.”
The representative’s eyes widened as he realized what Weston was implying. It was clear now: Weston wasn’t just interested in sponsoring a few students; he had other plans for Roger, and those plans would change everything.
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