Chapter 8 Regretting Being the Chief Executive

Stanley nodded.

After saying goodbye to Dwayne, the two of them left the villa.

The atmosphere in the car was much more relaxed than on the way there, no longer awkward.

"Thank you for today," Stanley suddenly said.

"Thank me for what?" Elizabeth looked at him, a bit confused.

"Thanks for speaking up for me earlier. No one understands my choices."

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile, her tone light. "What do you mean? Mr. Larson, you're a young and successful business leader. Everyone envies your achievements. How could no one understand you?"

The regrets hidden in his heart were things Stanley had never told anyone. He didn't explain further, just looked at Elizabeth with much gentler eyes.

The car soon arrived at the entrance to Elizabeth's apartment complex.

"Thanks for driving me home." Elizabeth opened the car door and said goodbye politely.

"No problem." Stanley smiled faintly, his tone serious. "If you ever need anything, you can call me."

Elizabeth didn't think much of it and nodded.

After watching his car drive away, she turned and walked into the complex.

Just as she reached the bottom of her building, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows.

It was Lonnie.

His face was frighteningly dark, staring at her with eyes full of hostility.

"What's your relationship with him?" Lonnie asked, suppressing his anger, his tone icy.

Elizabeth frowned, her attitude cold. "How is that any of your business?"

"How is it not my business?" Lonnie stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. "Elizabeth, don't forget—you're my girlfriend!"

Disgust instantly surged up from the bottom of her heart. Elizabeth yanked her hand free and kicked him hard.

"Stay away from me! We've already broken up. Don't you understand?"

Lonnie bent over from the kick but still wouldn't give up. He gritted his teeth. "I don't agree to break up! Are you still mad that I made you give the principal position to Claire? I was wrong, okay? I'll change!"

Elizabeth let out a cold laugh, her eyes full of annoyance. "You, someone so arrogant and stubborn, actually admitting you're wrong? How ridiculous."

"Lonnie, we're completely done. Wake up."

Lonnie straightened up, not believing her at all, stubbornly convinced she was just throwing a tantrum. "I know you still love me. You're just mad at me on purpose."

He stared at her, his tone full of suspicion and nastiness. "Who is that man? Did you break up with me because you're after his money? Elizabeth, when did you become so materialistic?"

This brainless accusation actually made Elizabeth laugh in anger.

"Don't come near me. I'm afraid your stupidity is contagious." She didn't want to waste words on him and said coldly, "Get lost now, or I'm calling the police."

She kicked at him again to push him back, then turned and quickly walked into the building.

Lonnie stood there, still convinced she was just throwing a fit.

His eyes were vicious as he growled through gritted teeth. "Elizabeth, you'll regret this! Sooner or later, you'll come back begging me!"

With that, he turned and left, full of rage.

Watching his retreating figure, Elizabeth felt nothing but contempt.

Regret?

The biggest regret of her life was meeting Lonnie and those people from the Wilson family.

Back home with the door closed, she instinctively raised her left hand to look at the system bracelet on her wrist.

The originally silver-white bracelet was now showing a faint pink glow.

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat.

The bracelet had changed color.

She examined it carefully and found that the affection points had increased by 10.

She went through today's events in her mind: the preliminary round, dinner at Dwayne's house, and running into Lonnie's harassment on the way back.

Primrose's affection had already been calculated and couldn't increase again.

So whose 10 points were these?

Could it be that Primrose's feelings for her weren't sincere enough before?

Or... could it be Stanley?

That's impossible.

He couldn't have developed feelings and recognition for her after such a short time together.

Elizabeth's heartbeat inexplicably quickened. She quickly patted her face, forcing herself to calm down.

Men would only slow down her revenge.

Meanwhile, at the Wilson family villa.

Claire was curled up on the sofa scrolling through her phone. When she saw Elizabeth's name on the official list of contestants who advanced in Starlight Symphony, her face instantly turned pale.

"How is this possible? How could Elizabeth participate in this show?" she cried out.

Steven heard the commotion and came downstairs. "What's wrong? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Look!" Claire handed him her phone, her eyes instantly turning red. "Elizabeth joined Starlight Symphony and made it through! This is all my fault. I shouldn't have taken her principal position."

"If I hadn't competed with her for it, this variety show opportunity would have been mine! The show is so popular—I definitely could have become famous. Now Elizabeth has taken it all!"

Steven looked at the list, his expression darkening.

He hadn't expected that Elizabeth, after being kicked out of the house, would still have the ability to participate in such a popular variety show.

"Stop crying." Steven hugged her sympathetically and comforted her. "It's just a variety show spot. I'll take care of it for you."

"I'm good friends with the show's producer. I'll call him now and have them add an extra spot just for you."

"Really?" Claire immediately looked up, her eyes full of delight.

"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Steven said gently. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you can compete and that you'll be more popular and shine brighter than Elizabeth."

"Thank you, Steven! You're the best!" Claire immediately hugged his arm happily, looking smug.

At the same time, Elizabeth's phone rang. It was her orchestra instructor calling.

"Elizabeth, where are you right now?" The instructor's tone was urgent.

"I'm at home. What's wrong?"

"Here's the thing—the principal position is still yours." The instructor said bluntly. "Claire simply can't handle being principal. During today's rehearsal, she made mistakes several times even on the simplest pieces."

"The orchestra leadership has decided that you'll still be principal. Just come back to rehearsal tomorrow."

Elizabeth paused for a moment, then understood. Claire's skills were so poor that she'd been completely exposed.

However, she no longer wanted this principal position.

"I'm sorry, but I can't come back."

"Why not? This is a position so many people would fight over!" The instructor was very disappointed.

"I signed up for Starlight Symphony. I need to focus on preparing for the competition and don't have time to balance both." Elizabeth explained seriously. "Besides, Claire wants this position so badly—just let her do it for now."

"After my competition is over, if she still can't handle it, I'll come back then."

The instructor was silent for a moment, then finally compromised. "Alright, I respect your decision. I'll keep the principal position for you. You can come back anytime."

"Thank you."

After hanging up, Elizabeth walked to the window and looked out at the night.

She hadn't expected this pleasant surprise from the orchestra.

But she knew very clearly that with Claire's personality, she would definitely follow suit and sign up for Starlight Symphony to compete with her for attention.