The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven) novel Chapter 801

"What's worse is that my parents won't even pay me a salary. If I leave the company, I could end up with no money, no job, and no place to live. Life might get really tough," Casper said.

He wasn't lying—he knew exactly how his parents treated him. He didn't dare to be optimistic because they wouldn't cut him any slack.

Zane stayed quiet for a long moment before asking, "So, do you really have to return home?"

Casper shook his head. "It's not that I have to go back. It's just that it's hard to stay here and see Jessica. When she chose me, she really wanted to build a life together. But my family treated her like garbage, and I didn't do enough to protect her. I hurt her, badly.

"I wanted to make it up to her, but it's too late now. She's got her job and earns a lot. She doesn't need me anymore. I figured maybe leaving would be better for both of us."

Zane immediately understood how to handle the situation. "You have two options right now."

Casper asked curiously, "Yeah?"

"The first option is to stay with our company and help your parents deal with the issues at their company in your spare time. If you do that, you not only keep your job, but once the project goes public, you'll get a hefty cut. Plus, you can help resolve the problems at your parents' company."

Casper was slightly tempted by this suggestion. He asked, "What's the second option?"

Zane shrugged. "You stick to your original plan. Go back home and face everything you just told me about. These are my suggestions. Whatever you decide, I'll respect your choice."

Casper already favored the first option. "If I choose option one and stay here, how will I deal with Jessica?"

Zane replied indifferently, "Simple—in a city this big, running into someone by accident is hard. But avoiding them forever? That's easy. Just make sure that if you ever run into her, you turn the other way and avoid her. That's all."

Casper said calmly, "I'm calling because I want to know what's going on with the company. What's the problem this time?"

Gary sounded defensive. "Are you trying to lecture me?"

Casper almost laughed. He'd asked about the company, and Gary's first assumption was that he was being criticized.

Casper chose his words carefully. "I need to know what's wrong so I can come up with a plan to fix it. That's all."

Gary caught the underlying meaning in Casper's words. "So, you're not planning to come back?"