I watch Dax’s face getting darker by the second, speechless.[]


    Ivy’s eyes dart between Kai and me before she screams:]


    “I know what this is! You and this man set us up together–you just want to steal all of Dax’s assets!“]


    “You shameless-“]]


    SLAP!


    Before Ivy can finish, I p her so hard she falls to the ground.[]


    “How did I set you up? Did I make you two y your ambiguous ‘bro‘ game? Did I book that room? Did I take off your pants?“]


    Seeing Ivy stunned, Dax loses it, ring at Kai and me.[]


    “If you’re saying we’re not just friends, then what are you two doing together in the middle of the night? Pure friendship?“]


    He grits his teeth, spitting out each word:[]


    “Ember, don’t be such a hypocrite.“[]


    Just then, a woman pushes through the crowd and spits right in Dax’s face.]


    “Ugh! Stop throwing dirt on Ember’s name, you rotten piece of shit! Your nasty mind makes everyone else look dirty too!“]


    It’s Kai’s girlfriend, Charlotte.[]


    She wraps her arm around Kai’s:[]


    “Kai and I have been together two years–I know better than anyone whether they’ve crossed any lines.“]


    “I’m the one who sent him here today, to help Ember get revenge and destroy you shameless cheating scumbags!”


    Still furious, she takes off her high heel and hurls it at Ivy.]


    “You slut! That’s what you get!“]


    “Ahh!” Ivy screams as Dax instinctively shields her with his back.[]


    “Ember!” He turns to look at me. “There’s really no need to take it this far.“]]


    In the chaos, I drop my ultimatum.]


    “Dax, you better sign those papers and go live your pathetic life with your ‘bro.“]


    “Otherwise, you’ll face the consequences!“]]


    Pure antasMOT <b>THEN </b>WHY THE Wow <b>HRY </b>DAY THEmatest


    Ivy res at me, shouting: “Like we’re scared! Ember! You’re the one who’s gonna regret this–without Dax, you’re nothing!“[]


    Charlotte picks up her heel, pretending <b>to </b>swing it at Ivy’s face again<b>, </b>making her flinch.


    “Disgusting!”


    Outside the hotel.


    I lean against the car window, staring nkly at the flowing street scene.[]


    Turns out when someone goes through intense betrayal, you really do be numb to it all.[]


    The pain that used to consume me now seems so insignificant.[]


    “Ember, what if Dax refuses to divorce?” Kai sounds indignant.]]


    “He’s all about calcting pros and cons,” I say calmly. “And I happen to have exactly the leverage to force his hand.“[]


    Dax’s scandal spreads like wildfire online.]


    The next very day I call an emergency shareholders‘ meeting to announce kicking Dax out of thepany.


    Someone tips him off, and Dax bursts in disheveled just as I’m about to have the shareholders vote.[]


    “Can one woman really handle the wholepany?” Dax interrupts.[]


    His cold eyes sweep over everyone beforending on me.]]


    “Ember, stop this. You’ll only embarrass yourself in the end. Why don’t you just—“[]


    Before he finishes, shareholders start raising their hands.]]


    “I agree with removing pax from thepany.“[]


    “I agree too.”


    “Count me in.“[]


    Dax stares at them in disbelief, but every shareholder looks determined.[]


    “We’ve all seen Ms. Ember’s dedication. Mr. Dax, you’re the one who can’t handle thispany now.“[]


    The motion passes without question–Dax is immediately stripped of all positions.]