Chapter 1

My plane had barely touched down from the business trip when a call came in from a five-star hotel manager：

“Ms. Fox, congratulations on the new baby boy!”

“I'm calling to ask if there's anything else you'd like us to prepare for the little one's one-month celebration?”

I froze where I stood.

When we got married, Elwin Henson told me himself that he didn't want children. So where exactly had a baby come from?

I asked before I could stop myself：

“Are you sure you have the right number?”

The manager immediately sent me a video of my in-laws holding a baby, then said with a cheerful laugh：

“You're one of our VIP members, ma'am. You've brought them here to dine before. There's no way I'd mix that up.”

I stared at the screen, watching my in-laws coo at the infant in their arms, calling him their grandson.

It clicked. In the single year I'd been away, my husband hadn't just cheated. He'd fathered a child with another woman.

My grip tightened around the phone, and I dialed my people.

“Lock down the Grand Dragon Hotel on Jingnan Road. Not a fly leaves that building.”

——

After I hung up, I stared at the infant on the screen, at the face that looked so much like Elwin's, and felt every last trace of warmth drain out of me.

Twenty minutes later, I stepped out of my car in the hotel's ground-level parking garage. The air around me could have frosted glass.

One of my operatives appeared and greeted me with a respectful bow：

“Ma'am, the hotel owner has handed over full control. We're ready to move on your word.”

I gave a slight nod, my expression flat：“Don't alert anyone. Hold your positions and wait for my signal.”

Then I walked into the hotel.

On the massive LED screen in the banquet hall, a slideshow of heartwarming family photos played on loop.

The man in them was Elwin.

The woman, I didn't recognize.

All I remembered was that some well-connected family named Pruitt was involved.

Not that it mattered. The commercial empire my grandfather left me stretched across the country, spanning both legitimate industries and the gray areas in between.

The so-called Pruitt family was nothing. An insect I could crush without looking down.

My identity was too sensitive to go public with, so when I married Elwin, the only story anyone got was that I ran a small trading company.

Day to day, my grandfather's most trusted people managed the empire on my behalf.

The number of people who had actually seen my face could be counted on one hand.

That was when snippets of conversation about the celebration started drifting toward me from every direction.

Every word landed like a needle driven straight into my chest.

“This one-month celebration is something else. They booked the entire Grand Dragon Hotel. The Pruitt family sure knows how to put on a show!”

“No wonder the Hensons have been walking around like they own the place. Their son married the Pruitt heiress. They've hit the jackpot for good.”

I stood at the back of the crowd, listening to the praise in silence, a cold, bitter smile curling at the corner of my mouth.

A year ago, I had gone overseas alone to break into foreign markets, to build more opportunities for Elwin's fledgling little company.

And this was what I got.

While I was gone, he hadn't just betrayed me. He'd built a whole new life with someone else, complete with a child.

Ice spread through my veins. Then a voice piped up beside me.

“I don't think I've seen you around. Are you one of the Hensons' relatives?”

I kept my tone even：“Something like that.”

She grabbed my arm right away and pulled me toward a seat.

“You must be Mr. Henson's sister, right?”

“I heard the only reason his company grew this big, and the reason he just signed that eight-figure deal with Apex Technologies, is because the Pruitt heiress pulled strings behind the scenes. The whole Pruitt family backed him.”

“Being his sister, all you'd have to do is ask and the Pruitts would set you up with a cushy job for sure. God, I envy you.”

A mocking laugh slipped out of me before I could help it.

So this was how it worked. One person rides the wave, and everyone around them floats up too.

Just then, the crowd parted on its own to form a path.

My in-laws came strolling through, beaming with pride, the baby cradled in their arms.

Chapter 2

Elwin trailed right beside them.

Compliments flowed without pause.

“He really takes after Mr. Henson's good looks. What a gorgeous child.”

“Though those eyes are the spitting image of the Pruitt heiress.”

My heart seized, crushed by an invisible fist, and a suffocating ache ripped through every nerve.

Elwin and his parents smiled and nodded at the guests, but when they turned, their eyes landed squarely on mine.

The smiles froze on their faces.

Elwin blurted out before he could stop himself：

“Maura, what are you doing here?”

A few heads swiveled toward me.

“Fox? So you're not one of the Hensons. Which side of the family are you from?”

Norma's expression darkened for a split second before she turned to the guest with a practiced smile：

“She's a Henson relative. Distant branch of the family.”

The panic in Elwin's face eased considerably once he heard that.

“Right, she's……she's a distant cousin of mine.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

The curiosity dissolved.

Norma handed the baby off to Dana, then pulled me aside. Her voice dropped low, laced with warning.

“Weren't you overseas? And who told you to come here? Do you have any idea what kind of event this is?”

I let out a cold laugh：

“What's the matter? My husband throws a one-month celebration for his mistress's baby, and his actual wife isn't allowed to attend?”

Her voice turned icy：“Drop the act!”

“I suggest you get lost before you make things worse for yourself.”

A quiet laugh slipped from my lips, and the chill in my eyes deepened：“And if I don't?”

“Don't push your luck!”

“You think you're still good enough for my son? Do you even know who that child's mother is?”

“The heir to the Pruitt family. Old-money elite. Old Mr. Pruitt's own granddaughter.”

I replied without a trace of emotion：

“The Pruitts? Bottom of the barrel among the elite families.”

“They're still way beyond anything you can touch!”

“You've seen what you've seen today. Now keep your mouth shut and walk away.”

“Otherwise, you won't have a place left in this world.”

Elwin walked over as well, a warning threaded through his tone.

“Maura, you run a tiny company. We're not in the same world anymore.”

“Summer knows about us. But she said as long as you come back and agree to the divorce without making a fuss, she won't make things difficult for you.”

“A clean break. That's the most dignity I can offer you.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of divorce papers.

“I figured you'd be back around now, so I've been carrying these with me. Just sign.”

I stared at the papers and bowed my head, a trembling laugh escaping me.

Caught red-handed with an affair and an illegitimate child, and they felt not a shred of guilt. Instead, they stood here threatening me like I was the one in the wrong.

The next instant I lifted my chin, and something shifted in the air around me, cold and commanding.

“Elwin, you're all so afraid of offending the Pruitts. Aren't you the least bit afraid of offending me?”

Norma hadn't expected that kind of force from me.

But with the Pruitt name bolstering her courage, she hardened her expression again and stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

“Who do you think you are? An egg smashing itself against a rock. The nerve.”

Elwin chimed in：

“Bluffing won't get you anywhere. I'll throw in some money if that's what it takes. Don't humiliate yourself, or today won't end at just a divorce.”

He pulled a check from his pocket and tossed it at me.

“One million dollars.”

Three years I'd propped him up. That check wasn't compensation. It was a bare-faced insult.

Slowly, I reached out my hand.

At the sight of it, smiles crept across both their faces.

Norma sneered：“There we go. I knew all you wanted was to squeeze some money out of us.”

But in the very next moment, I tore the check to shreds and let the pieces scatter like confetti.

Chapter 3

I let out a scoff.

“I didn't come here to play your pathetic little games.”

“I came to settle the score.”

Elwin's expression went cold instantly.

“Maura, you'd better behave yourself before Summer gets here.”

Norma jabbed a finger at me, snarling：

“Ungrateful wretch! Just wait until my daughter-in-law gets here and puts you in your place!”

The words had barely left her mouth when a figure appeared, drawing every eye in the room as she glided toward us.

Summer Pruitt wore a lavish designer dress, every gesture radiating the kind of arrogance and entitlement that only old money could breed.

She stopped to fuss over the baby for a moment, then made her way over.

First she greeted Norma, then looped her arm through Elwin's.

“Elwin, what are you and Mom up to?”

Norma pointed at me：

“Summer, thank God you're here. This cheap woman found out you're my daughter-in-law and had the nerve to mouth off at me. Deal with her!”

Summer's gaze swept over me, sizing me up from head to toe.

“So you're the woman who chased after Elwin for five years and wouldn't take no for an answer until he married you?”

“He told me he never even liked you. The only reason he went through with it was because he felt sorry for you, throwing yourself at him the way you did.”

“He's too kind for his own good, really. But now he's the father of my son, so I'd suggest you do the smart thing and sign those divorce papers quietly.”

“Oh, and one more thing. You disrespected someone you shouldn't have. You owe her an apology. On your knees.”

I glanced around. Summer's bodyguards had corralled the other guests several yards away, keeping them out of earshot. The purpose was obvious: nothing said here was meant to leave this circle.

I smiled coldly.

“Quite the guest list tonight. You must be worried about dragging the Pruitt name through the mud.”

She caught my meaning. A thin, icy smile curled across her lips.

“Smart enough to figure that out, are you? Then let me guess why you're really here. Money.”

Norma sneered.

“This one's got some nerve. My son already offered her a million-dollar check and she tore it up.”

Summer's eyes narrowed.

Then she pulled out a check of her own.

“Tell you what. Fill in whatever number you want. Keep your mouth shut, and I won't make your life difficult.”

Norma bristled, unwilling to let it go.

“But she just……”

Summer's expression turned frigid.

“Shut up. This is about the Pruitt reputation.”

Norma clenched her jaw and glared at me but didn't dare say another word.

I looked at the check.

This time, I took it.

A satisfied smile spread across Summer's face.

“Good. Now that you've accepted, leave.”

I replied evenly：“What's the rush? Elwin is still technically my husband. The least I can do is stay and enjoy the celebration.”

Something cold flickered behind Summer's eyes.

“Fine. If you want to watch so badly, then watch to your heart's content.”

“Pathetic.”

She let out a contemptuous laugh and walked away with her entourage.

It wasn't long before one of my operatives sent me a video.

On the screen, Summer was giving Norma her instructions.

“Once the banquet is over, take a few men and get rid of that woman for good. I don't want her running her mouth. Keep the check for yourself. I'll handle the rest.”

Norma was practically glowing：

“Now that's the daughter-in-law I deserve! So satisfying. The second she steps out, I'll take care of it.”

When the time came, the emcee took the stage.

He launched into an effusive speech about how Summer had been instrumental to Elwin's company, how the two had fallen in love through their partnership, then heaped praise on the baby in their arms.

Then Summer picked up the microphone.

“Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate our baby's one-month celebration. My husband and I are deeply honored by your presence.”

“I now declare this banquet……”

Chapter 4

“Wait!”

A clear, commanding voice cut through the celebration.

Every head in the room turned toward me.

Under the weight of all those stares, I walked to the stage, took the microphone from the host's hand, and faced the crowd.

Every pair of eyes was locked on me, wary and uncertain, as I spoke.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there's something you should know.”

“This woman's husband, Elwin Henson, is already a married man.”

“He carried on with another woman behind his wife's back and fathered a child with her.”

I held up my marriage certificate with Elwin for the entire room to see, plain as day.

The moment the words left my mouth, the room erupted.

Guests stared at the two of them in open disbelief.

One of the senior figures in attendance turned to Summer's father.

“Mr. Pruitt, what exactly is going on here?”

Jeremy Pruitt's face was dark as a storm cloud.

He shot a displeased glance at Summer on the stage, as if blaming her for not handling this beforehand.

So he had known about Elwin's marriage all along and had simply gone along with whatever his daughter wanted.

The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

In that instant, I decided the Pruitt family had no reason left to exist.

Beside me, Summer was seething, her glare sharp enough to flay me alive.

But it was Elwin who spoke up.

“Everyone, please, don't believe a word she says!”

“Yes, we signed a marriage certificate, but she dragged me to the courthouse when I was blackout drunk. It doesn't count!”

“We don't even have children together. She's the one who won't let go!”

“So that certificate? It's nothing but a piece of paper.”

He delivered it with such conviction that the crowd swallowed every word.

The accusations swung toward me instead.

“So she's just some obsessed admirer? Unbelievable. Crashing a Pruitt family event like this.”

“I knew it. A man like Mr. Henson would never do something so disgraceful.”

“The delusion on this woman is something else entirely.”

The ridicule and contempt crashed over me like a wave, burying me where I stood.

I stayed rooted to the spot, cold to the bone, every limb rigid.

The husband I had loved for three years had just twisted every truth inside out and slandered me in front of hundreds of people.

And in that moment, I laughed.

I looked straight at Elwin.

“Good for you. You're really something.”

His expression was remote, his voice low.：“Maura, I told you. You shouldn't have come here. Since you insist on clinging to me, don't blame me for what happens next.”

Below the stage, Jeremy Pruitt nodded at him with a look of approval.

Summer's face twisted into something ugly as she turned on me.：“You just don't know when to quit, do you? Fine. Then you can die for it.”

She screamed at the bodyguards standing near the stage.：“What are you standing around for? Drag this lying cheap woman out and get rid of her!”

Relatives from both families piled on, cursing me for disgracing their names.

The bodyguards surged toward the stage.

Every guest in the hall held their breath. The tension was suffocating.

Everyone was certain of the same thing: I had crossed the Pruitts, and I was finished.

Then the next second changed everything.

The heavy double doors of the hotel ballroom slammed open.

Dozens of black-suited security operatives poured in, moving in lockstep. They pinned the bodyguards to the floor before a single one could reach me.

The lead operative stopped before me and reported.：

“Ma'am, the hotel is locked down. Not even a fly is getting out.”

I lifted my gaze and let it drift across the ashen faces of Summer, Elwin, and every member of both families.

A smile curved my lips, cold and razor-edged.

“You wanted me dead, didn't you? You wanted to twist the truth?”

“Then let's see who buries who today.”