The Montgomery family officially dered bankruptcy.


    Ivy was fired from the research institute and faced prosecution.


    Mr. Montgomery became bedridden with illness.


    Desperate, Ryder swallowed all his pride.


    He repeatedly came to Shaw Tower, trying to see me.


    He even knelt there without caring about his image, crying and repeatedly pping himself, begging for forgiveness.


    Standing at the floor–to–ceiling windows on the top floor, <b>I </b>could asionally see that tiny, blurry figure below.


    My assistant asked quietly.


    “Ms. Shaw, should we send someone to handle this?<b>” </b>


    “No need.”


    I looked away.


    “He chose his path. He has to live with the consequences.”


    Shaw Enterprises emerged from this crisis more united internally and with smoother business expansion.


    The day everything settled, I gave myself a vacation.


    My long–tense nerves needed to rx. <fn66af> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? Find[?]ovel</fn66af>


    At the end of the boardwalk, on a rtively calm stretch of beach.


    A golden retriever was anxiously pacing back and forth on the sand, asionally stopping to gaze toward the ocean and letting out low whimpers.


    It wore a cor but had no owner with it.


    I hesitated, then walked over.


    “Hey there, lost your owner?”


    I crouched down and rubbed its fluffy head–surprisingly soft.


    It seemed to understand, whimpering louder and gently pawing at my hand.


    “Don’t worry, maybe your owner will be right back.”


    I spoke softly, finding myself oddly calmed.


    “Goldie!”


    A cheerful male voice called out.


    The golden retriever by my leg immediately perked up it


    ears and barked excitedly.


    The man crouched down<b>, </b>hugging the dog that bounded into his arms.


    He stood up and walked toward me, his smile genuine and warm.


    “I’m Derek Hartley. This guy was chasing a seagull, and I lost track of him for just a second. Scared me to death.”


    “Zara Shaw.”


    Goldie cooperatively barked once, wagging his tail even more


    more


    nthusiastically.


    We stood there by the ocean, chatting casually.


    Later, I’d asionally drive out here.


    Goldie always spotted my car first, running over excitedly.


    Eventually, we’d walk Goldie together along the long coastline.


    This is probably what renewal looks like.


    In some unexpected moment, in familiar or unfamiliar scenery.


    Meeting something unnned that makes you willingly stop in your tracks.