He Succeeds after Severing Ties Chinese Drama

Chloe Hayes stepped off the charter bus. The thick soles of her black pumps crunched against the gravel driveway of the upstate New York lodge.

A sharp gust of cold wind hit her face. She adjusted the heavy canvas strap of her duffel bag, the nylon digging painfully into her collarbone. The mandatory weekend corporate retreat felt like a physical weight pressing down on her lungs.

Colleagues from Harrison Properties rushed past her. One of them, a junior analyst named Mark, called over his shoulder, “You coming, Hayes? The open bar’s already pouring.” Chloe forced a tight smile. “In a minute.” He shrugged and hurried inside. They hurried toward the grand reception desk, their voices loud and eager for the complimentary open bar. Chloe kept her head down, following the crowd at a slower pace.

She approached the massive mahogany reception counter. She pulled out her corporate ID and handed it to the cheerful hotel clerk.

The clerk smiled broadly and handed her a thick welcome packet. “Enjoy your stay, Ms. Hayes. The mixer starts in an hour.” Chloe’s hand trembled slightly as she took the folder. “Thanks,” she managed.

Chloe looked down. Printed on the crisp white folder were two logos. On the left, the familiar blue crest of Harrison Properties. On the right, the sharp, silver geometric lines of the Beaumont Corporation logo.

Her stomach twisted violently. Acid burned the back of her throat.

She gripped the edge of the mahogany counter, her knuckles turning white. She leaned in and quietly asked the clerk if the executive team from Beaumont Corporation had already arrived.

The clerk nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, ma’am. They came in about an hour ago. Mr. Beaumont himself is here.” Chloe’s heart dropped. “Of course he is,” she murmured. She pointed a manicured finger toward the closed double doors of the main mixer hall across the lobby.

Chloe quickly snatched her room key from the counter. She turned toward the hallway leading to the guest rooms, desperate to skip the networking event and hide.

A firm hand clamped down on her elbow.

Diane Miller, her department manager, stepped into her path. Diane's grip was tight, steering Chloe physically toward the grand hall. Diane insisted loudly that Chloe needed to attend the mixer to build crucial connections for their joint venture.

Chloe opened her mouth to formulate a polite excuse about a migraine. “Diane, I really don’t feel well—” “You can feel well later,” Diane cut her off. “This is non-negotiable.” Diane ignored her, pushing the heavy double doors open and dragging Chloe inside.

The massive room was overwhelming. The air was thick with the smell of expensive cologne and stale champagne. The clinking of glasses and loud chatter bounced off the vaulted ceilings. The ambient lighting was dim, casting long shadows across the carpet.

Chloe immediately detached herself from Diane's grip. “At least stay for one drink,” Diane hissed. Chloe shook her head. “I’ll be in the corner. Don’t worry about me.” She kept her head lowered and navigated toward the darkest corner of the room, near the secondary bar.

She ordered a plain club soda with lime. The bartender raised an eyebrow. “No whiskey? Everyone’s drinking whiskey.” Chloe gripped the glass tighter. “Just soda. Thanks.” She gripped the cold, sweating glass, using the freezing condensation to steady her trembling hands.

A sudden, palpable hush fell over the crowded room. The loud chatter died down to a low murmur.

Chloe's chest tightened. She turned her head toward the grand archway entrance.

The crowd naturally parted. Julian Beaumont IV walked through the archway.