“Bullshit! Who on earth could I not afford to offend?”
“Sophia, get this straight—I’m Michael Reed, Regional Vice President of Horizon Corporation in the Midwest Region!”
“Who in both corporate and underground circles wouldn’t give me respect? Who could I possibly not afford to offend?”
“Go ahead, tell me—if you don’t name these so-called lovers today, I’ll lock you up and see how you sneak off again.”
I staggered back in horror.
“Michael Reed, are you insane? This is illegal confinement.”
“Illegal? Around here, what I say is the law.”
He closed in, eyes fierce.
“Unless you admit to cheating, sign the divorce papers, and walk away with nothing, you’re not leaving.”
I understood then.
The spying, the intimidation—all of it was because he was afraid I’d take half his fortune, since he was the one at fault. After all, we had signed a prenuptial property division agreement.
Such scheming… it stunned me.
Time with my cousins was drawing near.
Weighing the options, I bit down hard and swallowed my pride.
“Fine. I agree to walk away with nothing.”
With trembling hands, I signed my name on the divorce agreement.
“Now? Is that enough?”
But Michael showed no intention of returning the ring. His face twisted with scorn.
“Those clothes on your back? I bought them. Strip them off before you leave.”
How ironic.
After three years of sharing a bed, I never imagined he could be this cruel.
Choking down the humiliation, I removed my clothes one by one under the mocking stares of Michael and Olivia—
Until only my underwear remained.
“Now? Will you give it back?”
Michael toyed with the jade ring and sneered.
“I only said you could leave. I never promised to return the ring.”
At that, Olivia leaned into his arms.
Both wore mocking smiles, looking at me like I was garbage.
Despair and rage devoured me.
I lost control—like a madwoman, I hurled myself at Olivia, clawing at her wrist to snatch the ring.
She screamed in pain, shoving me away.
I slapped her hard across the face, drawing a wail.
Michael reacted swiftly, seizing my hair and slamming me to the ground.
Agonizing pain ripped through my scalp. I struggled, but it was useless. Despair swallowed me whole.
“Michael, you’re rich. You don’t need this ring. Please, I’m begging you—give it back.”
Sobbing, I pleaded.