Chapter 62 Exclusive Release Chapter 62 "This game should end..."
Sunlight streamed obliquely into the bedroom, and Yuan Ning shifted, wanting to change her position.
But I felt the arms around my waist tighten.
Yuan Ning raised her eyelashes; Elias was already awake.
He lay there on his side, one hand behind his head, his eyes clear and almost fluent in the morning light, staring intently at her.
All of Yuan Ning's pretense and wishful thinking shattered instantly under the gaze of those overly clear eyes.
But she wasn't afraid. Elias was a very easy person to understand, and she had never liked him as much as she did now.
If he had always cultivated a cold and orderly image of indifference, then she had just touched the hottest part of his soul.
Over the years, Yuan Ning has not been without feelings.
She knew that in those contracts meticulously calculated by lawyers, besides the rigorously calculated figures, there was also his willing support.
Without him, she would never be where she is today, without a doubt.
She changed her posture, now facing him.
His gaze held little emotion; he simply looked at her calmly and attentively.
His eyes had some dark circles, which were even more noticeable against his almost translucent white skin.
Elias, you didn't sleep well last night.
“Hmm.” Elias’s long eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly. “I slept, but woke up early.” His voice was still a little hoarse.
Even though they both knew the truth, he remained a gentleman, and she continued to pretend.
Yuan Ning's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, a surge of bitterness mixed with a strange warmth.
She shook her head, her black hair making a soft rustling sound as it brushed against the pillow.
She propped herself up and sat up, the silk quilt slipping off to reveal the ambiguous marks left on her shoulders and neck from the previous night.
She didn't pull the covers up, but simply sat there in the morning light, slightly turned to the side, looking directly at him, and said clearly, word by word:
“You know what I did in the living room. You know Phoenix.”
Elias did not answer immediately, but slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard.
Her golden hair hung loosely over her forehead, and her eyes were no longer sharp.
He seemed to have given up on arguing.
After a long silence, Elias finally spoke:
“Baby, I’m hesitating whether to teach you the last lesson of capitalism… although I think it would be interesting, after all, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you resting on my lap, asking me for something.”
This sentence contains a lot of information.
He had already seen through everything; he had enough evidence and power to destroy everything she had at any time.
Yuan Ning's nose suddenly stung with tears.
It's not because I'm afraid.
“Elijas,” she began, “Phoenix is the seed I planted using the first trust income you gave me, through the offshore structure that Zhang Qingrang built in Dunhuang.”
She began to confess, her tone calm.
"At the time, I just wanted to have my own leverage and say as soon as possible. I thought that one day, you would have to take my judgment seriously."
“I’ve always thought a lot about you, baby,” Elias said, leaning against the headboard and stroking her head.
“I never intended to hide behind you forever, just to be a shining example of your successful investments. I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, Elias. These ambitions are as real as I am… as real as my love for you. They are all part of me, tearing me apart and making me who I am.”
Elias remained leaning against the headboard, appearing calm.
“I know you noticed,” Yuan Ning continued, “I originally thought I could continue to fight against you like this, but I suddenly started to get scared. I’m not afraid that you’ll take back everything you gave me, or that you’ll teach me a lesson, really. Last night I suddenly realized that what scares me more than any of those things is…”
"I was afraid you wouldn't believe I was sitting here right now, my heart pounding for you. I looked into your eyes under the fireworks and thought they were the most enchanting color in the world, it's true. I laughed like a fool at Disneyland because you were the one holding my hand."
She clearly appreciated his support and loved him, yet she didn't understand why she kept standing against him.
Elias appeared relaxed as he leaned against the headboard, but his heart was in turmoil.
“Wynne…”
“So now,” she took a deep breath, “I can show you all my cards. Phoenix’s complete organizational chart, a detailed list of all target companies and the negotiation process, my funding channels…”
She bent down and suddenly knelt beside him. She reached out and gently grasped his hand, which was resting beside her with slightly white knuckles. Then she placed his hand on her left chest, near her heart.
Through the thin silk robe, he could clearly feel her rapid and powerful heartbeat, like a trapped bird frantically pounding against its cage.
“I beg you to believe,” her voice was as soft as a whisper, “that my feelings for you are as strong as my ambition. I am greedy, Elias, I want both my career and you.”
"This game should end."
She leaned down, completely naked, and nestled in his arms.
Yet it strangely exudes a beauty that is unprecedented, stripped of all pretense.
He remained silent for a long time, perhaps wondering if this frankness was another of her tricks, or a surrender that completely revealed her soul.
Yuan Ning buried her face in his abs. Sincerity is always overshadowed by calculation, and she had never been more genuine than she was at this moment.
The morning light streamed over them, outlining their strange yet intimate posture on the bed.
She knelt naked beside him, her cheek pressed against his warm, firm abs, like a sacrifice. He sat against the headboard, one hand guided by her to her chest, the other hanging at his side.
Finally, Elias's hand, which had been hanging by his side, moved.
He didn't lift her face, nor did he immediately respond to her confession. His hand, with its distinct knuckles and calloused fingertips, moved extremely slowly, almost exploratoryly, along her smooth back. He climbed upwards, vertebra by vertebra, along her slightly protruding spine.
The touch was calm and focused, as if it were re-measuring and confirming her current posture and temperature.
Yuan Ning's body trembled slightly under his palm. The almost judgmental caress made her more flustered than any words. She buried her face deeper into his waist and abdomen.
“Lift your head,” he said, in a calm demand.
She slowly and obediently raised her head.
She looked up at him, her lips slightly swollen and her black hair disheveled and draped over her shoulders.
“You win, baby,” he said softly.
Regardless of whether her confession was a means to continue scheming and treating him like a fool.
He'd known all along. Ever since Richard first placed Phoenix's connection to his desk. He admired her work. Precise, bold, visionary—like his best student, even surpassing him.
His forehead gently touched hers, their noses brushing together, forming an incredibly intimate yet solemn gesture: "Okay, game over."
Yuan Ning let out a sob and threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
Elias tightened his arms around her, holding her close, his chin resting on the top of her head. He closed his eyes, feeling the vibrant, ambitious body in his arms, a body that seemed to deeply love him.
Upon returning to New York, Yuan Ning quickly arranged to meet with Theodore.
The location is on the south side of Central Park, in a highly members-only British afternoon tea salon.
The heavy velvet curtains filtered out the harsh afternoon sunlight, leaving only the warm, soft light inside, and the air was filled with the warm aroma of fine black tea and freshly baked scones.
Theodora van der Berger sat on a velvet sofa by the window, dressed in a perfectly tailored champagne-colored suit, her pearl necklace gleaming warmly. She was gently stirring the Darjeeling liquor in her bone china glass with a small silver spoon, her movements elegant and detached from worldly concerns.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Yuan Ning being led over by a waiter, a perfectly measured, distant smile on her face.
They hadn't seen each other for a while.
“Wynne, I’m glad you asked me to meet you.” Theodora gestured for her to sit down.
“Thank you for agreeing to see me, Theodora.” Yuan Ning sat down opposite her.
The waiter served tea and snacks and then quietly withdrew.
The small space was now empty except for the two of them, and the faint sounds of the park outside the window only added to the tranquility of the room.
Theodora didn't exchange pleasantries immediately. Instead, she picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and seemed to be savoring the aroma of the tea as well as the young girl before her.
She put down her teacup before speaking slowly, her voice calm: "How did you feel coming back from Orlando? Elias said you had a great time."
“It was a very special trip.” Yuan Ning smiled and picked up her teacup. “It made me… see some things clearly and make some decisions.”
"Oh?" Theodora raised an eyebrow, her tone devoid of emotion. "For example?"
Yuan Ning put down her teacup, raised her eyes, and calmly met Theodora's insightful gaze.
"For example, I decided to end my business rivalry with Elias."
"You spent five years and finally managed to finalize the investment agreement with him. Now, do you really want to...?"
"Yes, my capital will establish a formal, long-term strategic partnership with Percival Capital."
“This doesn’t sound like you, Wynne,” Theodora’s voice remained steady. “As far as I know, you’ve always longed for independence.”
Yuan Ning smiled faintly instead: "There is no such thing as complete independence in this world. It is necessary for people to establish connections. Moreover, I intend to establish a marriage relationship with Elias, Theodora. For some reason, I need to let you know this."
Theodora's usual distant smile hadn't even disappeared.
“Wynne, I think you need to understand one thing: your marriage to Elias cannot be accomplished with just your consent.”
Theodora examined Yuan Ning carefully, inch by inch, from her hair to her fingertips.
"Furthermore, I don't believe you're willing to shoulder the responsibilities of the Van der Berg family. Elias's marriage is no child's play, and you, my little girl, your selfish desires and ambitions are not enough to bear the weight of the title Mrs. Van der Berg."
“Wynne,” she spoke again, her tone slightly gentler than before, yet still carrying the authority and insight characteristic of an elder, “you originally longed for independence, yet you chose to build this closest connection. It sounds contradictory.”
“It’s not contradictory, Theodora.” Yuan Ning leaned forward slightly, her eyes shining. “Only an independent soul can better resonate with another independent soul, rather than depending on or devouring it. We will still have our own careers, our own social circles, our own thoughts and judgments. But in the most important decisions, in our most vulnerable moments, and when facing the whole world, we will become each other’s strongest support and our only partner. That’s why I chose to get married.”
Yuan Ning's words didn't convey much meaning; they simply indicated that she was willing to shoulder the responsibilities and commitments of traditional marriage.
Instead of... endless demands and greed.
It did take her some time to recover from her parents' failed "marriage".
But isn't that precisely because there is no responsibility or constraint?
Adopting the surname Van der Berg might require a certain amount of sacrifice compared to the benefits one could gain.
Yuan Ning believes that a major step in her growth was her willingness to take on more responsibilities.
The sharpness in Theodora's eyes was gradually replaced by a deeper contemplation.
“Arthur will be very difficult to persuade,” she said suddenly, stating a fact in a flat tone, “and so will some people in the family. Marriage, especially the marriage of the eldest son, is never a private matter between two people in the Van der Berg family. It involves trusts, equity, social reputation, and even the bloodline of future heirs.”
“I know,” Yuan Ning smiled, “but this is Elias’s business. After all, I’ve already taken on a lot.”
Theodora calmly stated, "Furthermore, besides Perseus Capital, which Elias founded himself, half of everything he inherited from his father—the castle, the land, the horse ranch—will belong to you. Our family never signs prenuptial agreements."
These words represent astronomical wealth and responsibility.
For this marriage to take place, both parties must bear a considerable burden and bear the associated risks.
Castles, land, horse farms, and the vast real estate that she had only seen in documents and pictures, bearing the history of the Van der Berg family for hundreds of years, along with the immeasurable trust rights, art collections, and even some kind of intangible social authority tied to them... If the marriage were to take place, half of it would, in a legal sense, be connected to her.
Theodora's words were not meant to please her, but rather to remind her: stepping through this door, you gain not only love and a partner, but also a crown heavy enough to crush an ordinary person, along with the endless responsibility, scrutiny, and constraints that accompany it.
“To be honest, Theodora, I have considered the potential impact of Elias’s personal wealth, as well as the social responsibilities I would have as his partner. But I must admit that this goes beyond the specific details I had previously considered.”
"So?" Theodora's lips curled into a slight smile. "You're thinking of backing down?"
Yuan Ning didn't answer immediately. She lowered her eyes, seemingly carefully considering every word Theodora said, and also examining her own truest answer.
"Indeed, these responsibilities and obligations are difficult to bear and require great courage."
She paused, as if organizing her thoughts:
“Regarding my desires, I think they’ve never been static. Five years ago, my desire was simply to live a decent life. Three years ago, my ambitions were greater; I wanted to have my own career and a voice. And now…” She looked at Theodora, her gaze honest.
“If I choose to marry Elias, then my desires may need to include a new dimension: how to balance my personal ambitions with my responsibilities as his partner and as a member of the family; how to ensure that Meng Yuanning’s value is not only reflected in the career I have independently created, but also in the positive changes I can bring to this relationship, to this family, and even to the world.”
“I’ve put in a lot of effort to make the name ‘Wynne Meng’ known in certain fields. But if being ‘Elias van der Berg’s wife’ can be a platform that gives me the opportunity to do more impactful things that I couldn’t do with the name ‘Wynne Meng’ alone…”
"Theodora, I'm looking forward to the next stage of my life."
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