Sally's POV
Though it was a long time ago, the pain still feels as raw as ever.
I spent six months in the hospital, during which Derek vanished completely from my life.
Even when I threatened to drop out of school, Derek merely responded with "Do as you wish", followed by him blocking me.
I wept day and night and vengefully married Baldwin Blair, who was twenty years older than me.
After I lost my legs, he didn't despise me, but instead married me and treated me well.
However, my lack of warmth towards him led him to seek solace with minor celebrities.
Little did Baldwin know, my heart still belonged to Derek, and I tracked his every move with obsessive fervor.
I was very happy when I learned that he and Daphne had called off their engagement.
I knew Derek wouldn't easily fall for any woman, and no one in this world could match him.
Until recently, when Derek held Tabitha's hand at an award ceremony and announced her identity, I realized why he had helped me out. It was not because I was special, but simply because my profile resembled Tabitha's.
What I didn't expect was that the restless young celebrity would taunt me repeatedly with messages, prompting me to have her eliminated, which led to so much trouble.
Even Derek and Tabitha got entangled in the mess. It felt like divine intervention, presenting me with this opportunity despite my constant obsession with Derek.
I didn't mind being pushed down. I clumsily got up from the ground. "Derek, I'm not asking for anything, just one night. I have high-definition videos and photos, and I'll give them all to you."
Derek's imposing figure towered over me, his gaze colder and more piercing than the weather itself.
It was the same disdainful look as if I were nothing more than garbage.
No matter how hard I tried, in his eyes, I was still that pitiful girl from the village.
"Sally, you really make me feel sick."
That was his final judgment of me. After ten years of love, all I received in return was his revulsion.
I wiped away my tears fiercely. "Am I disgusting? Am I so unbearable in your eyes? Even if I offer you my sincere heart, you won't even glance at it? Am I inferior to Tabitha?"
"You do know yourself well," Derek replied coldly.
My heart dropped, and my face contorted with anger. "Fine, if you think I'm disgusting, I won't force you. But I'm eager to see how you plan to clear Rolf's name. I heard your right-hand man is also in custody, and the Greenwood Group is in chaos. Without my evidence, how will you handle this mess?"
I crossed my arms, looking like I was waiting for a good show. "It's divine intervention. Back then, you treated me badly, and now it's all coming back double. I want to see what your beloved girl can do for you. The Greenwood Group has had its way in Seattle, and the magnates underneath are long displeased. If the Greenwood Group falls, let's guess how many will move in for the kill. How will you flaunt your love then?"
Derek smirked, "I really underestimated you. It seems that you have grown in the past five years."
Softening my tone, I approached him again. "Derek, I am no longer the naive girl I was five years ago. I know I can't have you and don't want to compete with Tabitha. Just one night to fulfill my dream, please?”
Derek dodged again. "Sally, do you really think the Greenwood Group rose to prominence through women? Do you believe a single woman could bring it down? Do you think you're on par with Tabitha?"
Despite my reluctant expression, Derek sneered, "These people nowadays are nothing more than mediocre clowns, just like you."
With that, he left without looking back.
I shouted after him, "Derek, you will regret it! You will ruin the Greenwood Group."
"Don't try to glorify yourself. You're not worthy." Each of Derek's words was colder than the last.
As he vanished from sight, I clenched my teeth and dialed the number. "I'll accept your offer."