Chapter 5

Serena's POV

Ethan started desperately trying to win me back. Sending gifts to my company every day.

Hermès bags, Cartier watches, Tiffany necklaces.

Gift boxes piled up at the reception desk.

The secretary asked how to handle them.

"Donate them."

I said,

"Donate them to a girls' education fund under 'anonymous benefactor.'"

"Should we... get a receipt?"

"Yes, with Ethan's name and company address."

The secretary went out holding back laughter.

That afternoon, the local evening paper's society section ran a thank-you letter.

"Thanks to anonymous Mr. Chapman for donating luxury goods worth two million dollars to help one thousand girls return to school..."

The accompanying photo showed the mountain of gift boxes. The reporter photographed it well-it came across as satirical.

Ethan's call came immediately.

"Serena! What do you mean!"

"Helping you do charity."

I said while flipping through files.

"What, you're unwilling?"

"Those were for you!"

"Once you gave them to me, they're mine. Do I need your permission on what I do with them?"

He was breathing heavily on the other end. I could imagine his face red and neck thick.

"Serena, don't go too far! If you push me, it won't be good for you."

"Great."

I laughed.

"I'm waiting."

The call was slammed down.

The next day, an even bigger gift box arrived.

This time it was a complete ruby jewelry set. The certificate read: Burmese pigeon blood red, total weight fifty-eight carats.

The secretary's eyes went wide.

"Miss Williams, this... donate this too?"

"Donate it," I didn't even look up.

"Oh, contact the media. Hold a donation ceremony. Make it grand."

The ceremony was three days later. Even the TV station came.

I handed the jewelry box to the foundation director. A reporter asked why I was donating such valuable items.

"Making the best use of things," I said.

"Jewelry worn on a person is decoration. Converted to money to build schools, it can change many people's destinies."

The news aired that evening. Ethan's mother saw the program, had a heart attack from rage, and was rushed to the hospital.

Ethan's father called to curse me, saying if anything happened to his wife, he wouldn't let it go.

"I'll pay the medical bills," I said.

"Consider it atonement for Ethan."

His father roared over the phone.

After hanging up, Adrian messaged me.

"You're playing too big. Be careful they retaliate."

I replied,

"Let them try. I'm waiting."

A week later, Ethan was suspended from his company pending investigation.

Someone anonymously reported his embezzlement with solid evidence, even forged contract copies sent to the board of directors.

He blocked me downstairs at my company.

"You did this."

"Evidence?"

I crossed my arms looking at him.

He had lost weight, eyes sunken, unshaven.

The elegant man from before was gone, only wretchedness remained.

"Serena, how did I wrong you? Just because I slept with Claire? What man doesn't cheat?"

"Cheat?" I laughed out loud.

"Ethan, do you still think I'm only doing this because you cheated?"

He froze.

"Then-then what else could it be..."

I leaned close to him, speaking in a voice only we could hear.

"Because you wanted to burn me alive."

He backed away like he'd seen a ghost, hitting the wall.

"You-you're lying."

"Last September. Twenty liters of gasoline. Paid in cash at the pump. The station still has the footage."

I let the words hang. "Shall I have it pulled up for you?"

His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

"Then there are your messages with Claire. 'Once Serena's dead.' 'The inheritance, ours.' 'Her mother won't last long.'"

I continued. "Would you like me to go on?"

Ethan collapsed to the ground. Eyes bulging like they might pop out.

"Impossible... you couldn't possibly know..."

"I know more than you imagine."

I turned to leave.

"Ethan, this is nothing. Wait. The good show is still coming."

Getting in the car, I watched him in the rearview mirror.

He still sat on the ground like a puddle of mud.

My phone vibrated. Adrian sent a photo.

It was Claire, getting drunk at a cheap bar, being held around the waist by a man.

Caption: "She's trying to get your father's company's business secrets. Be careful."

I replied, "Let her look. I've dug a pit waiting for her."