Ch. He Laughed While I Was Hit 16 He Laughed While I Was Hit 16

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<He Laughed While I Was Hit 

Chapter 16 

Back then, I thought he was a man who truly understood me. 

Now I knew better. 

He didn’t understand me. 

He had studied me. 

He knew which library I went to. 

He knew which book I was looking for. 

He knew I was an introvert with few friends, easily moved by 1/8 

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< Chapter 16 

sustained attention. 

It wasn’t love at all. 

It was an investigation, an approach, and an acquisition. 

I saved the screenshots into a new folder, ordering them carefully. 

Then I opened the Notes app on my phone and typed a single 

line: 

*Countdown to revocation of Marino Cosmetics’ core formula license: 18 hours remaining.* 

At three in the afternoon, my phone rang. 

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It wasn’t Marco. 

It was Mr. Costello. 

“Astrid, something’s happened.” 

“What is it?” 

“Marco spent the morning at the bank trying to secure an emergency loan-five million against company assets to hire an outside team for R&D.” 

“Did they approve it?” 

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Three million dollars. 

And no guarantee. 

“Astrid, he can’t hold out.” 

“He smashed three computers in his office just now.” 

“Francesca was there. The two of them got into a huge fight.” 

“What about?” 

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“I only heard part of it through the door. She told him to go beg you for forgiveness. He refused to lower himself.” 

“Francesca said if he didn’t swallow his pride, the company was finished.” 

“And then?” 

“She slammed the door and walked out.” 

“Mr. Costello, Marco will give me his answer tonight. Don’t worry.” 

“Astrid, are you really going to take fifty-one percent of the company?” 

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“That’s not what I’m after.” 

“Then what do you want?” 

“I want him to understand what consequences feel like.” 

I hung up. 

Outside, the sky slowly darkened. 

The countdown continued. 

My phone lit up. 

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A message from Marco. 

*I’m coming to see you at eight tonight.* 

I replied with one word. 

*Fine.* 

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<He Laughed While I Was Hit