---- Chapter 20 Liam held her for a long time, the relief so palpable it was almost a physical presence in the room. He had tried to be confident, to trust in what they were building, but the shadow of Noah and his three-year hold on her had always been there. Hearing her say she didn't love him anymore, hearing her say she loved him, was like the sun breaking through the clouds. He couldn't help the wave of sadness that followed the relief. He was sad for the years she had wasted, for the pain she had endured. He thought of all the times he had seen her with Noah, how she had always looked a little anxious, a little sad, and how he had been powerless to do anything about it. He tightened his embrace. He would spend the rest of his life making sure she never felt that way again. He would keep her safe, and he would cherish her in all the ways Noah never had. The next few weeks were the happiest of Ava's life. She officially accepted her award at a small press conference, with Liam standing proudly by her side. The win came with a significant grant, enough for her to finally quit her freelance work and start her own small game development studio. She threw herself into her work with a renewed passion. The story of "Echoes of Starlight," a game about finding light in the darkness, felt more personal and poignant than ever. She worked long hours, but it was a joyful, creative exhaustion. ---- She felt alive, purposeful. Liam was her biggest supporter. He never complained about her long hours. Instead, he would show up at her small, rented office space with dinner, or just sit quietly on the couch, working on his own laptop, just to be near her. Her small team of young, enthusiastic developers adored him. Noah did not give up. He started by sending extravagant floral arrangements to her office. Ava would calmly ask the delivery person to take them back. Then, he started sending lunch. Every day, a lavish, expensive meal from a five-star restaurant would arrive, addressed to her. On the first day, Ava looked at the gourmet food, then at the simple, home-cooked meal Liam had packed for her that morning. She didn't hesitate. She shared the meal from Liam with her team and left Noah's offering untouched. The next day, two lunches arrived. One from Liam, packed in a simple container. The other from Noah, delivered by a fancy courier service. "Wow," one of her programmers said, whistling. "You've got two of the richest guys in the city fighting over you. Who's the fancy one from?" "No one important," Ava said, her expression neutral. She took the food Noah had sent and gave it to the building's security guard. She would not let him buy his way back into her life, ---- not even for a free lunch. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.