He was no longer the person he used to be. He had returned here with a mission. He was a soldier, an elite member of a certain army district’s special operations unit. What he was about to do next was extremely dangerous, with the risk of utter ruin at any moment. Therefore... he couldn’t drag others down with him, and even more so, he couldn’t drag down... this woman!

 “Sorry, I...” Jason Carter looked into Emily Brooks’s eyes, words stuck in his throat. He took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry.”

 As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and walked out of the private room. His tall, sturdy figure gave off a sense of loneliness.

 With Jason Carter’s words, the confident smile on Emily Brooks’s face slowly froze, and the hand she had raised in midair began to tremble.

 The classmates around them were all baffled. They didn’t understand—why would Jason Carter refuse? Could it be... could it be that Jason Carter thought Emily Brooks wasn’t good enough for him? Or... did Jason Carter have no feelings for Emily Brooks?

 “Why?” Emily Brooks asked softly.

 Her heart was in turmoil. Why, after she had let go of so much, stood before so many people, as a woman, going against her father’s wishes and lowering herself to propose, would Jason Carter reject her without hesitation? Did he really have no feelings for her at all? But if he didn’t, then why, back then...

 “We... are not people from the same world!”

 Jason Carter had already left the private room, so Emily Brooks couldn’t hear this sentence. He said it to himself.

 “I am a soldier of the People’s Liberation Army of China. I swear: to obey the leadership of the highest authorities of China, to serve the people wholeheartedly, to obey orders, strictly observe discipline, and fight bravely; to fear no sacrifice, to be loyal to my duties, to work hard, to diligently train in the skills of killing the enemy, and to resolutely complete my missions; under no circumstances will I ever betray my country or my army!”

 This was the oath Jason Carter took two years ago when he enlisted, standing before Company Commander Evan Brooks.

 “I swear—I am a special forces soldier of a certain army district of China, the most elite warrior of the People’s Liberation Army. I will bravely face all hardships and dangers, whether from training or real combat! No matter what dangers I face, I will remain calm and bravely kill the enemy!”

 “No matter what happens, I will always remember my oath, strive to be a model soldier, and never yield! If needed, I will sacrifice my life for my country! If necessary, I will give up everything I have. If there is war, I will take a bullet for my comrades on the battlefield!”

 Scenes from that day’s oath flashed through his mind, and Jason Carter’s gaze became incomparably resolute. What is a soldier? Someone who is always ready to sacrifice their own family for the safety of everyone else! What is a soldier? Someone with no love, no security, not even a future! Yet it is precisely because of these people that the country prospers and the people live in peace!

Chapter 7 Megan of the Clark Family

 Jason Carter walked out of the elevator and headed toward the hotel entrance, but at that moment, a dignified middle-aged man caught his attention.

 The middle-aged man was none other than Emily Brooks’s father. Beside him was a beautiful woman who looked very much like Emily Brooks—it seemed she was Emily Brooks’s mother.

 “William Brooks, huh?” Jason Carter glanced at the middle-aged man as they brushed past each other.

 William Brooks could not possibly remember Jason Carter, but he did glance at Jason Carter’s back and frowned.

 “What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with that young man?” Emily Brooks’s mother asked.

 “It’s nothing, let’s go.” William Brooks replied casually. He had met countless people, and just now he sensed a faint murderous aura from Jason Carter—the kind only those who have killed possess.

 Meanwhile, inside the private room, Emily Brooks looked a bit dazed. Many of the classmates around her were frozen in place, not knowing what to say. The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

 “Xinyi, what’s so great about that Jason Carter? He’s not good enough for you at all, don’t let it bother you.” A female classmate walked over to Emily Brooks and said softly.

 Just then, the door to the private room suddenly opened, and William Brooks and his wife walked in. When they saw the scene before them, they were stunned.

 Who was William Brooks? He was a shrewd man. Even though he hadn’t witnessed what happened, based on his understanding of his daughter and Emily Brooks’s current expression, he could guess what had occurred.

 “Come home with me. Stop embarrassing the The Brooks Family!” William Brooks frowned and said.

 “Xinyi, what’s wrong with you?” Mrs. Brooks saw her daughter’s state and immediately rushed over anxiously to ask.

 “It’s... it’s nothing.” Emily Brooks forced a smile and replied.

 “It’s all because you spoiled her. Take her home right away.” William Brooks said to Mrs. Brooks, then walked out of the private room. There were surveillance cameras in here.

 Although he had always heard from others that Emily Brooks liked someone, he didn’t know who that person was. Seeing Emily Brooks’s expression at this class reunion, it seemed that person had been here. William Brooks was curious to see what kind of person could make his daughter look like this.

 In a black Bentley, Emily Brooks leaned against Mrs. Brooks’s shoulder, her face full of grievance and her eyes brimming with tears.

 “He rejected me, and he did it without hesitation, leaving without even looking back.” Emily Brooks said, her voice choked with sobs.