The third day was Saturday. Marcus imed he had client meetings-really going to y house with Rain. <fn5b8f> Chapters first released on Find_Novel(.</fn5b8f>


    I acted like I bought his lies and watched him drive off.


    Then, as CEO of Hartwell Industries, I called an emergency board meeting.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement.” I stood at the head of the conference table, my voice cold andmanding.


    “Effective immediately, all Hartwell Industries partnerships with Zenith Tech are terminated.”


    The board members exchanged confused nces. Zenith Tech was Marcus’spany.


    “Vivian, why the sudden change? Zenith’s been a valuable partner,” one director asked.


    “Because their CEO, Marcus Zenith, has serious character issues,” I said icily. “His values don’t align with Hartwell Industries’ standards.”


    “But breaking contracts this suddenly will mean penalty fees…”


    “I’ll cover the penalties,” I said without hesitation. “This is about principles. Nopromises.”


    After the meeting, I immediately contacted several other major clients of Marcus’spany.


    Using Hartwell Industries’ influence and mywork, I quickly nted seeds of doubt about doing business with Marcus.


    By afternoon, Marcus’s phone was blowing up with panicked calls from clients.


    I sat at home sipping tea, listening to him frantically taking calls on the balcony.


    “Mr. Parker, why the sudden contract termination? Our partnership’s been solid…”


    “Mr. Rodriguez, is there some misunderstanding? We can negotiate pricing…”


    “Mr. Thompson, please reconsider-ourpany depends on this project…”


    Watching him scramble filled me with satisfaction.


    That evening, Marcus came home looking defeated and stressed.


    “Babe, I ran into some work issues today.” He tried to act strong in front of me.


    “What happened?”


    T


    “Several major clients suddenly want out of their contracts. I have no idea why.” He rubbed his temples in frustration.


    “Think apetitor might be sabotaging you?” I suggested innocently.


    “Maybe…” His eyes shed with suspicion. “A fewpanies have been trying to poach our businesstely.”


    He still has no clue his real enemy is sitting right next to him.


    “Don’t stress about it. We’ll figure something out.” Iforted him gently. “Worst case, my family can help out.”


    Marcus looked at me gratefully. “God, I’m so lucky to have you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”


    Fake as hell!


    If I’m so great, why the hell are you cheating on me?


    But he wouldn’t be saying that much longer.


    Early the next morning, my phone rang.


    It was Rain Sullivan.


    “Mrs. Hartwell, I need to talk to you.” Her voice


    oice was shaking.


    “Sure, let’s meet somewhere.” I kept my tone neutral.


    An hourter, we met at a quiet café.


    Rain was wearing loose maternity clothes, her face pale and eyes red-clearly she’d been crying.


    “Mrs. Hartwell, I know you probably already know the baby is Marcus’s.” She could barely get the words out.


    alinata no anger or shock.


    I stared at her silently, showing


    This made her even more nervous.


    “I didn’t mean to wreck your marriage.”


    “He told me he didn’t love you, that you were just married on paper…”


    “What else did he tell you?” I asked tly.


    “He said your marriage was just for business, no real feelings…” Her voice got smaller and smaller.


    I let out a coldugh. “And you believed that?”


    “I…” She had no answer.


    “Rain Sullivan, do you have any idea what you’ve done?” I suddenly stood up, my presence intimidating. “You think seducing a married man and getting pregnant makes you the winner?”


    She instinctively protected her belly, scared by my intensity.


    “Mrs. Hartwell, I’ll disappear. Just give me some money and I promise you’ll never see me again.”


    “Money?” I scoffed. “How much do you think you’re worth?”


    “Five hundred thousand…” she said tentatively.


    “Five hundred thousand?” My voice rose. “You think you’re worth that much?”


    I sat back down, crossed my legs, and stared at her coldly.


    “I’m not giving you a damn thing. Because soon enough, you’ll both have nothing.”


    I stood to leave.


    “Mrs. Hartwell!” Rain called after me. “You can’t do this! I’m carrying Marcus’s son! You can’t just ignore that!”


    I turned back, ice in my eyes.


    “You sure that baby’s Marcus’s?”


    Rain’s face went white as a sheet when she heard my words.


    “What do you mean?” she stammered.