Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 121: Gone

Chapter 121: Gone

Edrick stood at the head of the long conference table, his gaze sweeping over the room filled with executives. "Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your time," he said with a polite nod, his voice calm and measured. The others began to gather their papers, exchanging murmurs and handshakes. He turned toward the door, ready to step out when his secretary, a young man named Oliver, hurried up behind him, his shoes clicking against the polished marble floor.

"Sir," Oliver called out, catching up to him just as Edrick stepped into the corridor. "I just received word—Coldwell Enterprises secured the project."

Edrick paused for a brief moment, his back to Oliver. He closed his eyes, absorbing the news before turning slightly, his expression unreadable. "I understand," he said in a steady tone, not showing any hint of surprise or disappointment. "I’ll head out for lunch."

Oliver, ever efficient, gave a quick nod. "Of course, sir. You have a meeting with the board after lunch at two, and the client dinner at seven."

Edrick looked back at his secretary, offering a faint smile. "I remember," he assured him.

Oliver dipped his head respectfully. "I’ll have everything ready when you return."

With that, Edrick turned and made his way down the wide, gleaming hallway, the faint murmur of voices from other offices fading behind him.

Exiting the building, he was greeted by the bustling city streets. A wave of cool air brushed against his face as he made his way to the sleek black car waiting for him in the parking lot. Sliding into the driver’s seat, Edrick took a deep breath, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary.

Coldwell Enterprises, he thought bitterly.

Mason Coldwell had once again beaten him, but this time it wasn’t just a business matter. Securing projects was part of the game; losing to a competitor happened sometimes.

But Mason wasn’t just taking projects from him. No, Mason had also taken something far more personal—Ellen.

Edrick exhaled hard, the tension in his chest tightening as he started the car and pulled out of the lot. He usually didn’t let losses get to him like this. Business was a battlefield where victories and defeats were traded back and forth, but this... this stung differently. Mason wasn’t just another rival; he was the man who had Ellen—the woman Edrick had been dreaming about for years. She was everything he wanted, and no matter what he did, Mason always seemed to be one step ahead. Whether in business or personal matters, Mason Coldwell had the upper hand.

He sighed again, his frustration palpable as he navigated through the busy streets of the city. He knew he shouldn’t dwell on it. There was no point in stressing over things he couldn’t change. But the thought of Mason winning, of having both the project and Ellen, gnawed at him.

Before he realized it, he had arrived at his destination: a small, elegant restaurant tucked away on a quiet street. It wasn’t flashy, but it was well-known for its refined menu and excellent service—one of Ellen’s favorite places. He parked the car and stepped out, smoothing his suit jacket as he walked toward the entrance.

The moment he stepped inside, the familiar smell of freshly baked bread and aromatic spices greeted him, calming his nerves just a bit. He could hear quiet conversations and the clinking of dishes and forks. A friendly waitress, someone he recognized from his many visits, greeted him with a warm smile.

"Mr. Pierce, welcome back," she said, her tone professional yet friendly. She motioned for him to follow, and he walked behind her as she led him to his usual spot by the window. The view looked out over a calm little garden, a nice break from the city’s craziness.

Edrick sat down, his hands resting on the smooth surface of the table as he glanced out the window. The waitress stood by patiently, waiting for his order, though they both knew what it would be.

"The usual?" she asked, her pen poised over her notepad.

Edrick nodded, giving her a small, polite smile. "Yes, thank you."

She returned the smile, scribbling down his order before turning to walk away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as he stared out at the garden. Leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and the flowers swayed a bit—it all seemed so peaceful, yet Edrick couldn’t quiet his mind.

This restaurant... it was their place. He and Ellen used to come here often, when they were younger, back when things were simpler. The restaurant was conveniently located near their high school, and it had quickly become their go-to spot after long days of classes. It wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be. It was just perfect for them.

Edrick’s mind filled with the image of Ellen sitting across from him, just as she used to. He could see her clearly—her bright eyes, the way her lips curled into that soft, beautiful smile of hers. She would sit there, laughing at one of his jokes, leaning slightly toward him as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

He could almost hear the sound of her laughter now, that light, melodic sound that always lifted his spirits. The way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she found something particularly funny, or how she’d shake her head, her long hair swaying with the motion as if trying to deny that she found him amusing.

Edrick felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips as the memory played out in his mind, but it quickly disappeared. His fingers stopped tapping against the chair as reality crashed back in. Those moments—they were gone. They belonged to another time, another version of himself that no longer existed. And now, Ellen belonged to someone else.

Not just anyone, but Mason Coldwell, his business rival.

It felt like the universe was messing with him in a really unfair way.