I typed back: [If you want to negotiate, show me some real sincerity.]


    His response came quickly: [Got it. I know what I need to do.]


    Something about that message felt off<b>, </b>but I didn’t think much of it.


    After wrapping up everything at the office, I drove home to my ce in the hills.


    On the way, my best friend called.


    “Where are you right now<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Her voice was frantic, which caught


    “Just left the office, heading home…”


    me


    e off guard.


    She cut me off. “Get back to your building NOW. Ryder’s on your office rooftop saying you’re trying to drive him to suicide. He just posted about it, and the reporters are probably already there. The whole inte’s turned against you.”


    I gripped the steering wheel tighter.


    So that’s what Ryder meant by “knowing what to do.”


    He wasn’t repentant at all–he was setting me up.


    I forced myself to stay calm and checked Ryder’stest Instagram post.


    He’d screenshotted our text conversation and posted it with the caption:


    [It’s all my fault. If my death will calm you down and get you to leave my parents alone, maybe this is the best ending.]


    I read it three times, then actuallyughed out loud.


    Ryder had really outdone himself this time.


    I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat and immediately drove back to the office.


    Sure enough, there were several police cars parked outside. The rescue team was already set up.


    I took the elevator straight to the roof.


    Ryder was standing at the edge of the building. His mother had fainted from crying. His father was trying to talk him down.


    Ivy was here too.


    She was sobbing hysterically now, saying it was all her fault and that she should be the one to die.


    What a performance.


    I stood at the edge of the crowd and immediately spotted the livestreamers who’d obviously been nted there, broadcasting on TikTok


    Chapter 2 <fnb8ce> For more chapters visit fι?dnοvel</fnb8ce>


    I opened my phone and quickly found the livestream–thements were brutal:


    [So if someone doesn’t love you, you’ll destroy their whole family? All you know how to do is abuse your power.


    [This antisocial personality disorder is terrifying. You think anyone who doesn’t worship you deserves to die?]


    [Really thinks she’s a princess. Can’t have him, so she’ll destroy him. Does she think the world revolves around her?]


    [Money and power don’t give you the right to take whatever you want. Just drop dead already!]


    While I was still processing the flood of hate, Ivy spotted me first.


    She walked straight over and suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me.


    “Zara, this is all my fault. Ryder just fell in love with me–you can’t actually let him die!”


    “We’re really in love. Love isn’t a crime, but if you’re going to drive Ryder to suicide just because you’re upset<b>, </b>then let me take responsibility for everything!”


    Her tone was so noble, her words so carefully chosen.


    Because I was “upset,” I was willing to drive a man to his death.


    What a monster I was.


    After her little speech, Ivy suddenly leaned in close, making sure only I could hear her whisper:


    “Zara, you know what your biggest mistake was?”


    I raised an eyebrow.


    So she had two faces after all.


    t


    4


    6


    5


    t


    t


    “You use the Montgomery family to control him. Because you still want him back, you can’t let him go.”


    “But Ryder never felt anything for you. Not even once.”


    “Montgomery Corp’s stock will bounce back, but you? You’re going to crash and burn.”


    “You pathetic bitch!”


    Then she suddenly stumbled backward and cried out, “Zara<b>, </b>are you trying to push me off this building? If I die, will you stop trying to kill Ryder?”


    Looking at these two people on the rooftop, both iming I was driving them to their deaths, I walked closer.


    “Ryder, you’re saying I’m forcing you to kill yourself?”


    Ryder’s expression was tragic, his eyes full of disappointment.


    <b>8 </b>


    “Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing? You’re using your investments in Montgomery Corp to control me. The second you’re unhappy, you threaten ourpany.”


    “My father’s a respected figure in this city, but he has to live in fear of your moods every single day.”


    “Sure, Zara, you’ve got money and power, but I’m human. My parents are human. We’re not your fucking pets!”


    Ha.


    My pets<b>? </b>


    Well, a good


    pet doesn’t