"You know what? Every single minute, I've been dreaming about you losing everything and crawling to me on your knees like a dog, begging."

"Morris, I've never treated you badly. Not once. Why do you hate me this much?"

"Because every time we went back home, the whole village would sing your praises and spit on me. They laughed at me for not being as good as you. Called me useless. Said I'd spend my whole life as your lapdog." His voice cracked with years of bitterness. "Tell me, how could I not hate you?"

The fool. He had no idea those villagers only stirred up trouble because they were jealous he had someone like me looking out for him.

I stared at the two of them, unblinking. They mistook my silence for defeat.

Valerie waved the lawyer over with the divorce agreement. "Sign it. As for the assets, I'll give you a million dollars as a consolation fee."

"As for your things, I don't want any of them. The contract spells it out. You've got nothing left." She tilted her head, feigning generosity. "But don't worry, I won't push you to the edge."

The moment she finished, she flung the divorce papers in my face and demanded my signature.

Morris, convinced they'd already won, scooped her up and spun her around in celebration.

I pulled out a cigarette, placed it between my lips, and lit it. Drew a long, slow drag.

Then I picked up the pen and signed without hesitation.

But my company? They would never take it.

"Good. Now that the divorce is settled, go back to your office, pack your things, and get out. The seat's Morris's now."

The shareholders in the conference room burst out laughing, every last one of them looking at Valerie and Morris like they were watching a pair of idiots.

"What the hell are you laughing at?" Morris snapped.

"Nathaniel, are you going to walk out of here on your own, or do I have to call security to drag you out?"

I leaned back in my chair. "What do you think?"

When Valerie saw I wasn't budging, humiliation twisted into rage and she called the security guards in.

"Throw Nathaniel out of this building. I'm the one running this company now. Do you hear me?"

But the guards didn't move. They stood behind me, hands clasped, perfectly still.

"Are you all deaf? I said do it!"

I rapped my knuckles on the table, amused. "You heard her. Go ahead."

The guards moved instantly. One of them crossed the room and backhanded Valerie across the face, sending her sprawling.