The Old Departure Without Farewell

chapter 1

The year my family went bankrupt, I clung to Frederick Thomson and spent the last night with him.

The next morning, I threw the last bit of money at Frederick.

I told him, "You can go find another rich person now. You don't have to force yourself to serve an ugly woman like me anymore."

Afterward, I was kicked out of my home by those coming to liquidate the assets. Because of the birthmark on my face, everyone pointed at it and mocked me.

Meanwhile, Frederick's friends were celebrating, cheering that he could finally start a new life.

They told him, "Frederick, with your looks, plenty of beautiful and wealthy girls would fight over you. Why did you have to lose your mind back then and let that ugly woman take advantage of you?"

"She's bankrupt now, so she probably won't bother you anymore, right?"

Five years later, Frederick transformed from the poor campus heartthrob into a rising star in the business world.

In an interview room, he flipped through my resume, but his gaze lingered on my photo for a long time.

He asked calmly, "You're 28? You already have a child?"

I met his scrutinizing gaze and introduced myself, "Yes. My name is Isabella Fraser, I'm married, and I have a daughter."

Now I've changed my name, and the large birthmark on my face is gone.

Frederick didn't recognize me.

I never thought the resume I sent would end up in Frederick's hands, and that he would personally interview me.

The moment I pushed the door open and saw him, my breath faltered for a moment.

Frederick sat behind the desk, a pair of rimless glasses perched on his high nose. He was reviewing my resume.

His gaze shifted from my photo to my face, with a probing look in his eyes.

Frederick asked, "Isabella? You graduated from the University of Washington? You're here applying for the personal assistant position?"

He tapped the table with his fingers and looked up at me. "Do you know what a personal assistant means?"

"To put it bluntly, it's like being a nanny. I have a lot of daily tasks. You'll need to pay attention to many details."

He kept talking, but my thoughts had already drifted back to the night we parted ways years ago.

That night, Frederick was wearing a faded shirt. I tore off the button on his collar, then pushed him onto the bed and kissed him passionately without any order.

I said cruel words to him, "The happiest person to hear about my bankruptcy must be you, right? You finally don't have to humble yourself to serve me anymore. Seeing my face, does it disgust you?"

"Don't worry. Even if I'm bankrupt, I can still afford to buy one more night with you."

Frederick stayed silent, his eyes deep. Then, just like before, he skillfully wrapped his arm around my waist.

At the end, I threw him a bank card. That also marked the end of my ridiculous earlier life.

"Have you made up your mind?" Frederick asked.

He tapped the table with his fingers, his voice cold and his gaze calm.

He didn't recognize me.

I instinctively touched my face. The bluish-purple birthmark was gone, and so were the rashes caused by various cosmetics.

My face now is slightly thin, with no makeup, clean and plain, completely unrecognizable from the person I used to be.

What's more, I even changed my name.

I said, "I've made up my mind."

I forced down the surging emotions inside and temporarily regained a calm exterior.

Frederick said, "Great, you can start now. I'll have my secretary Jaxon Anderson brief you on the details."

Then, he raised his hand, signaling me to leave, without giving me another glance.

I tactfully stepped out. The moment I closed the office door, my anxious heart finally settled.

If possible, I never want to have much to do with Frederick again in this lifetime.

In school, he was someone everyone saw as untouchable, while dirty, despicable, mean, and ugly were the labels attached to me.

It was me who insisted on using money to buy and trample on Frederick's dignity.

I selfishly gave birth to a daughter, Hallie Fraser.

Sadly, Hallie has now been diagnosed with a brain tumor and must undergo surgery.

It's like an unbreakable, unhealthy bond. For Hallie, I went to his company again.

In the following days, I remained restless and unable to focus.

Hallie's surgery is approaching, so I have a lot to prepare.

When I asked Frederick for leave the third time, his response was merciless.

He said, "This is the last time. If it happens again, don't come back."

I understand too. But today is Hallie's birthday. She really wants to go to the amusement park. With the surgery approaching, I'm really scared she might never have the chance again.

I clenched my teeth and still took Hallie to the amusement park until the afternoon.

When we were heading back, the sky suddenly poured with heavy rain, and we took shelter under the eaves by the street.

Just as I opened my phone to call a ride, Hallie suddenly broke free from my hand and stumbled out to pick up a fallen toy.

By the time I reacted, Hallie had already run into the rain.

Seeing a car speeding through the rain in the distance, I instantly became tense, almost screaming out loud.

But a large hand pulled Hallie back before I could.

"Isabella." His voice was cold and low in the pouring rain.

I froze, looked up, feeling like I was dreaming. Frederick stood in front of me, holding Hallie's hand tightly.

He wasnt holding an umbrella, and rain kept streaming down his hair, cheeks, and chin, soaking his expensive suit.

His expression was as distant and stern as ever, but there was a faint trace of anger in it.

I said, "Thank you, Mr. Thomson."

Immediately, I hurriedly pulled Hallie behind me. This time, I didnt teach Hallie to say thank you as I usually would.

Frederick glanced at us and coldly said, "Get in the car."