“Ha! Why not? That old man’s already dead. Even if I scatter his ashes, who’s going to stop me?”

“You’re not afraid I’ll tell Mother?”

“Please. I’ll just say you did it yourself. These people won’t contradict me. Isn’t that right?”

Everyone looked at each other before answering in unison, “Yes.”

“You…”

“Sorry, Olivia, we had no choice. If we side with you, Richard Stone will crush us. People die for money, birds for food—you know how it is.”

Fine. Very fine.

Madison stared at the rising numbers on the screen, her smile widening.

“Now I’ve not only multiplied my money, I’ve also secured the heir position. Best of all, I’ve won the man I love.”

She wrapped herself around Ethan and kissed him passionately in front of everyone. The board members turned away, blushing in embarrassment.

On the surface, I kept calm, but inside my fury roared. My fists clenched so tightly that my knuckles cracked.

To be betrayed by the man I loved most—what woman wouldn’t burn with rage?

“Enough kissing. I’m carrying your baby, remember? If we get carried away again, who knows what might happen?”

“Baby, really?”

“Of course.”

“You’re amazing. I swear, once I take it all, I’ll give you the grandest wedding anyone’s ever seen.”

Ethan’s eyes lit up at her words. He turned to me, his gaze full of disgust.

“Olivia, I’m canceling our engagement right now. I’m going to marry Madison and make her my wife.”

I stared at the two of them coldly. If that was his choice, then he had no right to regret it later.

“Fine. But return my father’s urn.”

Madison stubbed her cigarette out on the urn, sneering.

“You want it? Then get on your knees and beg.”

“Don’t push me too far.”

I wanted nothing more than to beat that shameless, vile woman to the ground. She had no ability of her own—only tricks and a man to hide behind.

“I’ll push as far as I like. What can you do about it? Kneel, or don’t.”

“Sweetheart,” Ethan said, “why waste it by scattering ashes? Feeding them to a dog would be way more fun.”

“Baby, you’re brilliant.”

Someone in the room couldn’t hold back.

“Madison, that’s still Olivia’s late father. This isn’t right!”

“Yeah, if Mrs. Scott finds out—”

“Shut up! Do I need you to teach me how to handle things?”

“When I take over Scott Enterprises, forget Olivia—even her mother will be under my heel. Anyone else who talks back can get the hell out.”

The room fell silent, everyone too afraid to speak.