6.Argue

"So now you believe me, right? That I really lost my memory."

Alger, who had just finished looking at the data given by the doctor, immediately lifted his head when Lily spoke.

"You thought I was lying, Al? You thought I was just pretending to avoid our past? If I had a choice, I would never want to suffer from this brain damage."

Alger roughly placed the files beside Lily. He smirked, lowering his head until he was at eye level with Lily, who was sitting on the hospital stretcher.

"Do you think that just because you lost your memory, I would forget everything that happened, Ly? Do you think it's easy for me to accept what you did?"

"Give me one reason—just one—that explains why you hate me so much. Why do you always blame me, always corner me, as if I am the center of all this mess?"

"Because you are the center of it, Ly. You destroyed my genuine feelings for you!" Alger snapped. He straightened up and walked toward the window, his gaze fixed on the cityscape outside.

"You want to know what you did in the past that made me hate you this much?"

Lily remained silent. She was willing to listen—at least she would know the problem before her memories eventually returned.

"Five years ago, you dumped me out of nowhere. You chose another man—someone richer. You cheated on me when I was completely devoted to you, Ly. And do you know what happened after that?"

Lily shook her head, her eyes never leaving Alger's back.

"I lost my mind. I fell into depression. And I had to go through something horrific—I got into an accident, was in a coma for a long time, and was even sent to a hospital abroad. And where were you during all of that? Did you care about my life at all? Do you have any idea how much pain I went through, Ly?"

"But isn't that what I'm experiencing now, Al?" Lily countered. "I've lost my memory, I got into an accident, my life is in ruins—and do you still want to see me suffer even more?"

Alger turned around, nodding firmly. "Do you really think I'd sympathize with you after everything? Do you think I wasn't destroyed back then? And now, just like that, you come back after leaving such deep wounds? And even worse, you've charmed my parents into pushing us back together, after I worked so hard to rebuild myself?"

Alger stepped closer, gripping Lily's face tightly. "I am not the same Alger you once knew. So don't expect that marrying me will bring you happiness. The pain I suffered—you will feel it too."

Lily remained silent for a long moment before finally meeting Alger's gaze. "I don't know why I ever fell in love with someone as vengeful as you. The past is just the past. Puppy love should've been forgotten, don't you think, Al? If you keep dragging the past into the future, you already know how it will end."

"I don't care. As long as you're back in my arms, I'll make sure you feel exactly what I went through."

"That will never happen," Lily stated firmly, her gaze calm. "Are you planning to cheat on me right in front of my eyes? To play around with other women just to hurt me? Go ahead, Al. I won't care. I have only one goal—call me cheap, say I'm after your wealth, I don't care. But know this, I will never take what belongs to you. And as for those other women, the only one who will suffer is you—your name, your reputation. Not me."

She stood up from her hospital bed, her voice unwavering.

"What exactly is your goal?"

Lily remained silent, controlling her breathing. Could she really tell him the truth? That her father's medical expenses were being covered by Alger's family? If she did, Alger would only look down on her even more—for marrying into his family because of money.

"Why are you silent? Did you marry me because my parents promised you money? How much did they give you to make you agree to marry me and come back into my life, Ly?"

"That's none of your business."

"So my suspicion was right. Money means everything to you, doesn't it?"

Alger immediately grabbed a check, placing it in Lily's hand.

"If money is all you care about, then take this and get out of my office. Write down whatever amount you want. I don't want a secretary with no principles—someone like you will only ruin my company's reputation."

Lily, who had been about to leave, stopped in her tracks. She glanced at the check in her hand before giving a faint smile and placing it back in Alger's palm.

"You want me to leave your company, right?"****"Even though I'm your secretary, remember this, Mr. Alger—I am also someone your father trusts. Sure, I can submit my resignation letter, but do you understand the consequences? Do you know what will happen once I walk out of SM Century?"

Alger remained silent, his eyes locked onto Lily's.

"First, it will be incredibly easy for me to join one of SM Century's rival companies. And trust me, they will use this situation to their advantage—to bring your company down. My salary there will definitely be higher than what you're paying me now, because I've already received lucrative offers before. Second, are you really prepared to compete with your own fiancée, Mr. Alger? I may not be as sophisticated or as highly educated as you, but make no mistake—I am more than smart enough to take down an opponent. And lastly, discuss this with Mr. Daniel. If he approves my resignation, then I will leave SM Century without touching a single cent from your check. My wealth may not compare to yours, but you will never be able to trample over me. Remember that, Mr. Alger."

Alger was completely silent; he seemed to know he was in the wrong when it came to arguing with Lily. The girl who usually appeared calm had now changed drastically. With her sharp words, she was able to shut Alger up.

A knock on the door made both Alger and Lily turn their gazes toward it, where James was already standing in the doorway.

"What's going on?"

"I thought you had left earlier, so I just came in. I need to talk to Lily," James replied.

Alger gestured toward Lily with his chin. "Go ahead," he said before stepping out of Lily's office.

James watched Alger's back before turning to Lily. "What's up with him? He's not usually like that."

"He was just angry earlier. You know, the usual—because I fainted, a lot of work got delayed. Anyway, what's up, sir? It's rare for you to look for me."

James handed her the payment receipt in his hand. "The administration fees have been settled. More precisely, Mr. Daniel paid for them. He came to the office earlier and found out you fainted. He couldn't come himself, so he sent me instead." Then, he raised an eyebrow at her. "Does Alger like you?"

"No way. Where did you even get that idea?" Lily quickly retorted.

"I've known Alger since college. It's just that after we graduated, I returned here while Alger stayed behind. So, I know a lot about him. Especially since Alger has always been completely uninterested in women. But since yesterday, I've noticed he keeps wanting to be close to you. I'd say Alger is falling in love, wouldn't you?"

Lily laughed. It seemed like James didn't really know Alger's habits. Or maybe Alger had a split personality—one for his friends and parents, and another that allowed him to hide his bad side so well.

"You don't seem to know much about Mr. Alger, sir."

"What do you mean?"

"He's seeing someone," she whispered while grabbing her bag from the desk.

"Who? As far as I know, you're the only woman close to Alger, Lily. No one else."

"Maybe you need to get out more, sir."

Just as James was about to respond, Lily's phone rang—not from Alger, but from Helena.

"Well, well, Daddy's little princess," James teased when he accidentally saw the name displayed on her screen.

"That's why you better not mess with me," she shot back.

"Alright, I surrender, Daddy's little princess."

Lily smiled. "I'll take this call first."

James nodded, seemingly having something to ask Alger now.

"I need to find out who Lily's secretary was referring to."

Once she was far enough from James, Lily answered her phone.

"Hello?"

"Lily, Uncle Daniel said you fainted? How are you feeling?" Helena's slightly panicked voice made Lily smile reflexively.

"I'm fine, Auntie. I've already been discharged from the hospital."

"Why? You should be resting, Lily. I'll talk to Alger about your workload. We can't have you collapsing before the wedding. I'll call Alger now—or is he there? Hand the phone to him."

"Mr. Alger already went to his car, Auntie. And really, I'm fine, so don't worry."

"Alright then. Come over for dinner tonight, okay?"

Lily glanced at her wristwatch. "Sorry, Auntie. I don't think I can make it tonight because I—"

"Overtime again? Lily, you're about to become part of our family. Don't be too hard on yourself, and don't be too independent, sweetheart."

Lily chuckled softly and instinctively nodded. "Alright, Auntie."

"Okay then, take care on your way home. Tell Alger not to drive recklessly."

Lily ended the call, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

"His mother is an angel, so why is he like the devil?"

Since Alger had assigned her to book a café for their dinner and there was no way he would wait for her just to return to the office, Lily decided to book an online taxi and get her task done. After all, she was already outside—it was the perfect time to find a romantic café for dinner.

"Don't expect me to be jealous of whatever you're doing, Mr. Alger. I may be from your past, and I may have lost my memories, but I will never regret the choices I've made. Even if you see me as cheap or think I did this for money, I don't care. My father's health is far more important than reacting to your petty behavior. I know that sooner or later, you'll understand why I chose to accept this arranged marriage."