Chapter 23 Shirley halted her steps . " What do you want ? " " I was wrong . " Timothy grabbed her wrist , voice trembling . "I was blind before , tricked by Patricia ! She framed you and forged evidence . I've already punished her . " " So ? You came to find me ? " " I've made up my mind . I won't force someone who doesn't love me anymore . And I hope you won't disturb my life again . " " I love you ! " Timothy's eyes reddened with urgency . " Only now do I realize you've always been in my heart . " " Who's in your heart means nothing to me . I don't want to know . " Shirley turned toward Jesse without even glancing back at him . Timothy moved to follow , but an arm suddenly blocked his path . Jesse had appeared before them , shielding Shirley completely . " Sir , Shirley made it clear she doesn't want you contacting her . " Jesse's tone remained flat , though his stare turned icy . " Forced fruit isn't sweet . Surely you understand that better than I do . " 0.00 % 00:34 Chapter 23 288 Vouchers Timothy's nails dug into his palms as he glared at Jesse's taunting smirk , fury boiling in his chest . " And who are you ? " His voice dropped low , eyes blazing . " What gives you the right to interfere ? " Jesse calmly straightened his suit cuff , his gaze sweeping over Shirley's profile in the distance . " I'm Shirley's fiancé . We're getting married next month . Still think I have no right to intervene ? " " So not only do I have the right , it's my duty to protect her peace . If I see you again , I'll call the cops . " Those words hit Timothy like a sledgehammer to the chest . He whipped around toward the car , disbelief etched on his face . Shirley sat frozen in the passenger seat , her expression distant . " Shirley ! " " This isn't real , right ? " His voice cracked with unfamiliar panic . Shirley lowered her eyelashes . " Of course it's true . What , you want to come to my wedding ? Timothy , I'm telling you for the last time , don't come looking for me again . " Her voice was terrifyingly calm , yet every word sliced like a knife , cutting through Timothy's last hope . Timothy felt his vision go dark for a moment , his legs weakening 31.16 % 00.34 Chapter 23 288 Vouchers beneath him . He remembered everything Shirley had quietly done for him , now twisted into sharp irony . In his self - righteous coldness , Shirley had probably moved on long ago . Jesse pulled open the car door and deliberately turned to look at Timothy before sliding into the driver's seat . He curled the corner of his lips into a knowing smile , eyes blazing with a victor's triumph . The roar of the sports car ripped through the silent street like a sharp blade slicing through Timothy's last shred of hope . He stood frozen , watching the vehicle grow smaller until it vanished around the corner . Wind whipped fallen leaves along the curb , failing to chase away the bone - deep chill in his heart . Staring at the empty road , Timothy suddenly remembered the first time he'd seen Shirley walking past him with that same quiet grace . Back then , he never imagined the gears of fate had already begun turning Every bit of this was his own doing . 68 56 %