Chapter 1/
For five years, I had bent over backward to please my in–laws. With their full support, I finally married their only son.%
He was nothing more than a spoiled playboy, but through the title of his wife, I climbed my way up to become the CEO of Cavendish Corporation. From that moment on, everything had been smooth sailing.”
At a celebratory banquet for a major project, he showed up arm–in–arm with his pregnant first love, Arabella Kingsleigh, clinging to him like a trophy.
“Marrying a commoner like you was me settling,” he sneered, voice dripping with contempt. “Now that Arabella and I are back together, only the mother of my child deserves to manage Cavendish Corporation. You’re just a used–up woman. You’re fired. Get lost.“%
I looked over at my in–laws. They looked like they wanted to speak up, but in the end, they held their tongues. I let out a soft sigh.
“You don’t have the authority to fire me. I’ll give you one last chance. Have her end the pregnancy and cut ties with her. We can still stay a family.”
Everyone burst into laughter like I’d lost my mind, thinking I was trying to cling on without sharne./
I smiled. Calm. Unbothered. “That’s right. I actually do have the right to freeload.”
-2
After I said that, the grand banquet hall fell into a brief hush.
Then, the murmurs exploded.
“President Celestine Windsor must’ve lost her mind. Without the Cavendish name backing her, she’s nothing. Who does she think she’s fooling?”
“Calling her ‘President‘ is being kind. She’s just a discarded wife now. Once she’s out, she’ll go back to being nobody.”
“If you ask me, Celestine, just give it up. The kid won’t carry your name. It’s not even yours; why bother? If you’re gonna play stepmom, might as well enjoy the ride.”
Griffin Cavendish furrowed his brows amid the ridicule, that same haughty arrogance gleaming in his eyes.”
“Celestine, someone like you has no right to act tough. You don’t have the standing. Without me, you’re nothing.”
I stared at that handsome, smug face and for a moment, memories of the passion and tenderness we once shared surfaced, stinging like salt on a wound.”
Bitterness welled up in my chest.Д
“Three years of marriage, Griffin and you think you can toss me aside just like that? Do you want me out of Cavendish Corporation, too? Have you ever thought about how you’ll explain this to your parents?“}}
Griffin’s face darkened and a flicker of disdain flashed through his eyes.
“If it weren’t for your shameless groveling to my parents back then, do you think you could’ve married me? We were never cut from the same cloth. I can’t go on living like this. And you? What right do you have to remain CEO of Cavendish Corporation? My parents will stand with me; of course, they will.”}
“Is that so?” I crossed my arms, a calm smile tugging at my lips. “That might not be the case,”
My composed confidence sent a ripple through the crowd.
“President Windsor looks awfully sure of herself. Could she be hiding something up her sleeve?“}}
“Now that you mention it, Cavendish Corporation was just an average company before. Ever since she took over three years ago, its value skyrocketed.“%
“Exactly. That latest hundred–billion–dollar deal alone could keep Cavendish Corporation thriving for years.”
J
The whispers in the room gradually shifted in my favor. But as the tide began to turn, Arabella could no longer keep her composure.” She made a sharp scoff and shot me a look of pure scorn./
“So what if you’re capable? You’re just an employee. The second you’re dismissed, you’re lower than a stray dog. Know your place. You’ll never be one of us, born into status, raised with power,”
Lignored Arabella’s sharp–tongued mockery and turned to Griffin with a calmn voice, “Is that what you think, too?”
Perhaps recalling how relentless I’d been in business, his gaze flickered with hesitation, softening with a trace of pity.!!
“It was my decision to dismiss you,” he said flatly. “That won’t change. Here, take a hundred thousand. Let’s end this on a good note.”%
I almost laughed. “You think a hundred thousand can buy three years of my life? Just this one hundred–billion–dollar project alone, add two more zeroes and it still wouldn’t come close.”
Griffin let out a cold laugh, smug and dismissive.%
“Unfair? And what right does someone like you have to talk about fairness, Celestine? You didn’t even sign a contract, remember? So, even if I don’t give you a single cent, kicking you out is still perfectly justified. Be smart, take the money while you can “%
