Chapter 5

Iris's POV

"Starting a company? That sounds truly exciting."

Amelia clapped her hands enthusiastically, though her expression quickly turned thoughtful. "But entrepreneurship isn't a small matter—you'll have to handle everything yourself, which is far less comfortable than working at your family's company."

"You have a point, but only by becoming independent can I escape the fate of an arranged marriage." I acknowledged her concern, but my mind was made up and wouldn't be easily changed. "You also know I majored in marketing and brand management in college. During my study abroad period, I interned at a creative branding firm in London and participated in two luxury brand multimedia communication projects, accumulating practical experience."

"Besides, I grew up accompanying my mother to film sets and fashion events, which gave me a certain cultivation in aesthetics, visual expression, and brand tone."

My mother Eleanor came from a prestigious family and possessed an elegant demeanor. In her youth, she had been a renowned actress with a glowing reputation, having endorsed quite a few brands. Later, she fell in love with my father, married him, and gradually returned to family life.

"Everything you've mentioned are your strengths—I agree with that." Amelia raised her glass and took a sip of wine, then posed a pointed question. "But how will you resolve the initial capital investment?"

"That is indeed a problem. I've saved some money over these years, but it's not enough. I've thought it through—I'll talk to my father and ask him to support me with part of the funding."

"By the way, I want to invest too! Whether I can achieve financial freedom in this lifetime depends on you!"

Amelia excitedly pulled out her phone, ready to transfer money to me.

I pressed down on her hand and asked seriously, "Investing in starting a company is doing business, and business involves both profits and losses. Think it over again."

Amelia nodded decisively. "I know your capabilities very well—you wouldn't do something you weren't confident about. Besides, the business content of your company also matches my interests and strengths. Who knows, maybe one day if things don't work out over there, I'll come work for you."

"Thank you, Amelia." I was deeply grateful for her trust in me.

However, the funds I had on hand still weren't enough to launch the company—I'd have to find a way to raise more money.

To celebrate the imminent start of my career, Amelia and I sat in the most secluded corner of the bar, raising our glasses in celebration.

Amelia was also an excellent career woman who offered many effective suggestions regarding starting a company.

That evening, Amelia and I had a thoroughly enjoyable conversation centered on founding the company—aside from the minor interruption caused by those two appetite-ruining people, Damian and Serena.

As it grew late and Amelia had to work the next day, I suggested we call it a night.

Since Amelia and I lived in different directions, after leaving the bar, Amelia drove herself home. I declined her offer of a private car service and decided to hail a taxi myself.

After seeing Amelia off, I stood at the bar entrance waiting for a cab.

Suddenly, a figure approached from behind—it was Damian.

He stood roughly six-foot-one, a full head taller than me, and wore an inexplicably ingratiating smile on his face that gave me a strong sense of oppression and disgust.

So I immediately stepped back two paces to maintain a safe distance.

However, he didn't seem to mind my rejection and instead continued to lean closer, his face displaying what he probably considered a charming smile as he said, "Iris, you didn't drive here? I'm heading your way—let me give you a ride home."

"No need, I'll call my own car." I decisively declined his offer.

Having been focused on my studies all this time, I'd never owned my own car. Now that I was about to start a company, having a vehicle would be more convenient.

When I got home tonight, I'd talk to Dad about buying a car—I was confident he'd support me.

Serena caught up at that moment, her face wearing an expression of apparent sincerity as she invited me, "Iris, let's have Damian drive us both home, shall we?"

I shot her an eye roll, and taking advantage of Damian going to get his car, I quickly ran toward a nearby alley, hoping to shake off these two nauseating people.

However, just as I ran into the alley, I saw a glaring car headlight beam from behind.

It seemed Damian had caught up in his car.

That detestable bastard!

Fortunately, the alley was too narrow for his car to enter. But he parked the car and pursued me on foot.

I quickened my pace, running forward. As long as I made it through this alley, I could turn onto the next street corner where there would be plenty of taxis, and I could completely shake him off.

With just over a hundred meters remaining to the other end of the alley, I noticed a sports car parked at the mouth ahead. I heard Damian calling my name, getting closer and closer.

Just as I was about to run out of the alley, suddenly an arm reached out from the shadows on one side, pulling me entirely into the darkness.

I screamed in fright, "Ah—"

However, my cry was muffled by a large hand and couldn't escape.

This is bad! Have I run into some thugs?

But this area was supposed to be quite safe—what rotten luck!

My heart filled with regret—all because of that bastard Damian!

Thinking this, I began to struggle violently, punching and kicking, hoping to break free from the grip of this bad person whose face I couldn't see clearly.

"If you don't want to be discovered, stay quiet, sweetheart."

A somewhat familiar voice suddenly sounded above my head.

I instantly quieted down, my brain racing frantically, trying to recall when I'd encountered this man.

His body was practically pressing me against the wall.

I studied his appearance—because we were in the shadows, I couldn't make out his features clearly, only his general outline. He towered at roughly six-foot-three, dwarfing my five-foot-seven frame.

Perhaps because I was no longer as tense as initially, I caught the scent of his cologne.

It was still that familiar fragrance—light and crisp with a hint of freshness.

Suddenly, Damian's voice came from nearby.

"Iris, where are you?"

His voice was already very close. I definitely didn't want him to discover me here with a strange man, and then have Serena find out about it too.

In desperation, I buried my head into this man's chest, wrapping my arms around his waist.

He seemed to understand my intention, using one hand to press my head further into his embrace while his other arm held my back tightly, making our posture even more intimate.

"Hey, excuse me, did you see a beautiful girl pass by here just now?"

Damian's voice suddenly rang out very close by. I could sense he seemed to be scrutinizing me.

The force of my arms around the man increased due to nervousness.

"No, you're disturbing us." The man quickly turned his body while holding me, completely blocking me from Damian's line of sight.

His tone was deliberately unfriendly.

"Sorry."

Damian's apologetic voice carried a trace of doubt, but eventually his footsteps gradually faded away.

The danger having passed, I quickly released my embrace. "Thank you."

I only wanted to rapidly escape from this somewhat familiar but potentially dangerous man.

Yet he continued to hold me, suddenly speaking:

"Using me and then running away—were you dissatisfied with yesterday's service?"