Chapter 9 Just after New Year's , Eva received an unexpected phone call . [ ] " Ms. Hawthorne , this is Judge Wilson from the Municipal Court . I need to update you on Dominic Whitmore's case . " se . "] " What's the situation ? " [ ] " Whitmore has applied for early release due to medical reasons . He's claiming serious illness and hoping for medical parole . " ]] Eva was taken aback . [ ] Dominic was sick ? " What kind of illness ? " [ ] " Late - stage liver cancer . The doctors say he's got six months at most . " Judge Wilson's tone was heavy . " According to relevant laws , he does have the right to apply for medical parole . " [ ] Late - stage liver cancer ? This news left Eva with mixed feelings . ]] Whatever had happened between them , Dominic was still her ex - husband . Hearing he had a terminal illness did affect her somehow , " What do you need from me ? " ] " As the victim , you have the right to voice your opinion on his parole application . If you object , we'll consider that carefully . " [ ] Eva was quiet for a long time . ] Legally speaking , Dominic absolutely deserved what he got and wasn't worth any sympathy . But from a human perspective , there seemed no point in continuing to pursue a dying man . [ ] " Can I see him ? " [ ] " Of course . I'll arrange it . " ]] The next day , Eva went to the prison medical ward . ] The moment she saw Dominic , she barely recognized him . [ ] In just a few months , Dominic had wasted away to skin and bones . [ ] His cheeks were sunken , his eyes hollow - he looked like a skeleton . ] Seeing Eva appear , a flash of joy crossed Dominic's eyes , followed by deep guilt . [ ] " Eva ... you came ... " His voice was weak . [ ] " I heard you were sick . " Eva sat down beside the hospital bed . " How are you feeling ? " ] ] " How do you think ? Just waiting to die . " Dominic smiled bitterly . " Never thought we'd meet again under these circumstances . " They both fell silent for a while . The room was quiet except for the beeping of medical equipment . [ ] " Iva , I know I have no right to say this , but ... I really regret everything . " Dominic suddenly spoke up . " If I could do it all over again , I definitely wouldn't have done those stupid things . " Eva looked at him , her emotions a tangled mess . ] This man had once been the love of her life , and also the one who'd hurt her most deeply . [ ] Now he lay dying in a hospital bed , and all their grievances seemed less important somehow . Does regret help now ? " Eva said quietly . " Dominic , you know what I regret most ? " ] Chapter 9 " What ? " " I regret that I loved you so much , when you never truly loved me back . " Hearing this , tears welled up in Dominic's eyes . [ ] " That's not true , Eva . I did love you ... I was just blinded by greed . I thought I could have everything at once ... " ce ... " ] " Love me ? " Eva shook her head . " Dominic , if you really loved me , you wouldn't have betrayed me . If you really loved me , you wouldn't have transferred our joint assets . If you really loved me , you wouldn't have played me for a fool . " ] " You didn't love me - you were just used to having me around . " [ ] This hit Dominic right in the heart . ] Because Eva was right . [ ] He really had never truly loved her - he'd just treated her as part of his life , as something he took for granted . ] ] Only after losing her did he realize how precious she was . " Eva , I - " [] N Forget it , that's all in the past . " Eva stood up . " Focus on getting better . I'll approve your parole application . " [ ] " Really ? " A glimmer of hope flashed in Dominic's eyes . ] ] " Yeah , I mean ... I don't want to see you die in prison . " Eva paused . " Not because I still love you , but because I don't hate you anymore . " " Hating someone takes too much energy , and I have more important things to focus on now . " Dominic understood what she meant . ]] She had completely let go - whether love or hate , it was all in the past . And he no longer mattered to her . ] ] " Eva , could you ... do one last thing for me ? " ? " ] ' " What ? " ice trembled . " Like you used to ... " " Could you ... call me Dominic one more time ? " His Eva looked at him with a trace of pity in her eyes . ] " Dominic . " She said his name softly . [] Dominic closed his eyes as tears streamed down his cheeks . This was the last time in his life he would hear her say s name . From now on , they would never cross paths again . [ ] Eva left the prison feeling lighter than ever before . [ ] That man who had once made her love desperately , who had once made her hate with every fiber of her being - now he truly was just a stranger passing through her life . She could finally say goodbye to the past and embrace the future . [ ] Back at the office , Cameron saw her return and asked with concern , " How'd it go ? You okay ? " " Tin fine . " Eva nodded . " I approved his parole application . " ] " That's probably for the best. Birth , aging , sickness , and death are natural . No point letting tred drag on until someone's final moments . " [ ] Cameron's understanding moved Eva deeply ] During their time working together , she'd discovered that Cameron truly was a man with great character : [ ] Not only was he brilliant in business , but he had strong moral principles too . Chapter 9 " Oh , I've got some good news . " Cameron pulled out a document . " Our overseas investment project has been hugely successful . The return rate exceeded 300 % . " That high ? " Eva was surprised . [ ] " Yep , your judgment was spot - on . That AI project has become the industry benchmark . " [] Eva nodded with satisfaction . ] ] This had been one of her major investment decisions since her rebirth , and it was finally paying off . [ ] " Looks like our internationalization strategy was right . " ] " Not just right - it's been incredibly successful . " Cameron's eyes were full of admiration . " Eva , you really are a business genius . " " You're too kind . Just lucky , I guess . " " That's not luck - that's vision . " Cameron said seriously . " You know the whole industry is talking about you now , right ? They're calling you the new queen of business . Queen of business ? Eva thought of her past life self - that naive woman who would sacrifice everything for love . If her past self knew that someday she'd become the queen of business , she would have found it unbelievable . Life really was amazing - sometimes one turning point could change your entire trajectory . ]] " By the way , there's a charity gala tonight . " What kind of charity gala ? " come with me ? " Cameron asked . [ ] " It's for cancer patients - mainly raising funds for cancer research and patient support . " ]] Thinking of Dominic's condition , Eva nodded . ] " Sure , I'll go . " That evening , the charity gala was held at the city's most luxurious hotel . ] Prominent figures from all walks of life gathered to contribute to the cause . Eva and Cameron attended together , and their pairing drew quite a bit of attention . ] " Isn't that Ms. Hawthorne and Mr. Rivers from Rivers - Rain Group ? They look great together . " " I heard they're not just business partners - they're close personally too . " " It would be perfect if they got together . They're such a good match . " ] Hearing these comments , Eva and Cameron exchanged smiles but didn't explain anything . ] Indeed , through their time working together , they'd developed not just a business partnership but a deep friendship .. Whether it would develop further remained to be seen . .0 The charity auction began , with precious items being sold to raise funds . [ ] When the auctioneer introduced a famous painter's work , Eva suddenly raised her paddle . ] " Ms. Hawthorne bids five million ! " ] The price caused a stir throughout the hall ] Five million for a painting was seriously generous . [ ] In the end . Eva won the painting . " Why'd you buy that painting ? " Cameron asked curiously [ ] " It reminded me of someone ," Eva said quietly . " He's fighting cancer right now . I hope this money can help more patients like him . " [] Cameron understood what she meant , and his admiration for her deepened . [ ] Chapter 9 To still want to help an enemy when he was sick - that kind of character was truly admirable . After the charity gala ended , they walked out of the hotel together . [] The night was beautiful , with the moon hanging high in the sky , casting its gentle light . [ ] " Eva , there's something I want to tell you . " Cameron suddenly stopped walking . " What is it ? " "I ... " Cameron hesitated , then said firmly , " I like you . Not just as a business partner , but as a woman ." Eva was a bit surprised , but not shocked . [ ] During their time together , she had actually sensed Cameron's special feelings for her . [ ] " Cameron ... " ] an . " ]] " You don't have to answer me right now . " Cameron interrupted her . " I just wanted you to know how I feel . If you're willing to give me a chance , I'll spend my whole life cherishing you . If not , we'll still be the best business partners . " [ Looking at this excellent man before her , Eva felt warmth spreading through her heart . ] After Dominic's betrayal , she she'd never believe in love again . [] But Cameron's presence had given her hope once more . ] ] Maybe she really could start ver . " Cameron , could you give me some time ? I need to think about it . " [ ] " Of course . Take all the time you need , " Cameron said gently . " I'll wait for you . " Back home , Eva stood by the floor - to - ceiling windows , looking at the city's nightscape . ] Over the past year , her life had changed completely . [] From a betrayed wife to a successful businesswoman . [ ] From a lovesick young woman to a rational , independent modern woman . [] She had finally become the person she wanted to be . ] And now , there was an excellent man waiting for her answer . Eva couldn't help but smile . ] ] Life really was wonderful - when you're strong enough , good things naturally come to you .]] And when you're excellent enough , you have the right to choose . ] She was no longer that woman who could only passively accept whatever fate handed her . Now , she could actively choose the life she wanted . ] Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!