Once, a young heir from another wealthy family made a crude remark about her. I didn’t hesitate—I slammed him to the ground in front of everyone.
From that day on, the entire circle knew Selena was mine. No one dared show her the slightest disrespect.
I used my name, my influence, and my patience to lift the Hart family up—and used my sincerity to please her.
Yet this was the return I received: betrayal, perfectly rehearsed lies, and public humiliation.
When I returned home, I called my father. Calmly, I recounted everything that had unfolded that night—including Richard’s shameless accusations.
He was silent for a long moment before speaking, his voice steady.
“The Cole family doesn’t bend.”
“If the Hart family has made their choice, then so be it. Do what needs to be done.”
“I’ll handle the rest.”
His words cleared away the end of my hesitation.
That night, I gave my orders.
Effective immediately—every partnership, contract, and deal between the Cole Group, its subsidiaries, and the Hart Group was to be terminated without exception.
Notify all partners that maintaining close ties with the Hart Group will be regarded as an unfriendly act toward the Cole Group.
The orders went out late that night, and the vast machinery of the Cole empire began to move—efficiently, precisely, and without mercy. By morning, the Cole Group released a formal statement announcing the immediate and total termination of all cooperation with the Hart Group.
The effect was explosive. The news hit the market like a thunderclap, sending ripples across the financial world. By the time trading opened, Hart Group’s stock price plunged so fast that trading was halted within thirty minutes.
I sat in my office, silently watching the cascading green lines of their stock chart.
Before long, my phone vibrated. Selena’s name flashed on the screen.
The moment I answered, her hysterical voice erupted through the line—her tone eerily reminiscent of her “tragic performance” from the night before.
“Ethan! Are you insane? Do you know what you’re doing?!”
“Retract that statement right now—or I’ll make you pay!”
I didn’t answer. I simply ended the call and added her number to my blacklist.
A threat? She still hadn’t realized who held the power now.
But the Hart family’s retaliation came faster—and dirtier—than I anticipated. By noon, the online atmosphere had completely turned out.