Meanwhile, Autumn Shelby rushed downstairs and didn’t stop running until she reached the parking area. She finally came to a stop and leaned back against her car door.

She had run in such a hurry that her feet ached in their high heels and her heart was pounding. She instinctively clutched the fabric over her chest, pressing down hard.

But the physical pain and exhaustion were nothing compared to the sharp, intense ache in her heart.

In the more than twenty years she’d known Seth Quinn, he had always been a cold man in her eyes, utterly indifferent to every woman he met.

For all those years, day in and day out, there had never been an exception. So she had concluded that he was either just naturally cold, wasn’t interested in women, or had some sort of physiological problem.

But she had been by his side all these years, and he’d never shown any inclination toward men. As for him having some physiological defect, that was completely out of the question.

So, she had always assumed that was just his personality.

It wasn’t just her; everyone around her thought so too. So much so that when she later complained to her parents that Seth Quinn was too cold, that he didn’t care about her or love her, they would try to console her. They’d say Seth was just born that way, and that in the whole world, she was the woman he loved most. Otherwise, why would he have allowed only her to be by his side for all those years?

He just had a reserved personality; he wasn’t good at expressing his feelings and didn’t like to. That was all.

Everyone said so, and she had always explained away his coldness toward her as him simply being unexpressive.

But...

Autumn Shelby couldn’t help but look up toward Seth Quinn’s apartment. ’His frantic defense of Clara Grant just now, the gentle way he treated her... where was the slightest trace of his cold nature in that?’

This version of Seth Quinn felt like a complete stranger to her, yet she was all the more infatuated with him.

At the same time, she was filled with a burning jealousy and hatred for Clara Grant!

’So *this* is what Seth Quinn is like when he’s protecting a woman—so dominant and assertive, yet also so gentle and full of affection!’

’So it wasn’t that Seth Quinn was unexpressive. He just didn’t express himself to other women—including me!’

’But what gives Clara Grant the right? What’s so great about her?’

Autumn Shelby’s large eyes filled with desolation and resentment. ’If only Seth had treated me half as well as he treats Clara Grant back then, I never would have done what I did. I wouldn’t have made such a terrible mistake and lost the man I love most in this world!’

No!

The look in Autumn Shelby’s eyes suddenly turned firm and resolute, laced with a dark, sinister glint.

’I won’t lose Seth Quinn. I *can’t* lose him. I won’t give up.’

’I won’t give up if he isn’t married, and even if he gets married, I still won’t give up!’

’Clara Grant, let’s just see if you have what it takes to keep Seth Quinn tied to you for the rest of your life!’

Autumn Shelby snorted, pulled open her car door, and was about to get in.

But a hesitant voice suddenly called out from behind her, "Miss Shelby?"

Autumn Shelby froze and turned to see who it was.

Chloe Grant had found out about Seth Quinn’s schedule and learned he was back at his apartment in The Millennium Grand. So, she had rushed over first thing in the morning, hoping to plead with him in person one more time.

Although she knew her chances of success were slim.

Especially after what she’d said to Clara Grant in a fit of anger the other day. If Clara had told Seth Quinn, Chloe would be completely finished.

But, to continue her acting career, to stay in the entertainment industry, and to be a worthy match for Miles, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and come again at her parents’ urging.