Chapter 4

Jack stared intensely at the document, his face ashen. After a long moment, he looked at me with a cold laugh.

"Are you threatening me?"

I offered a bitter smile.

"If that's what you think, then yes."

He looked at me, his eyes narrowing dangerously, his voice a mix of threat and pressure.

"I'm asking you one last time. Do you really want to divorce me?"

I nodded without hesitation.

Seeing my resolve, his friends exchanged glances, then tried to persuade me to reconsider. But my stance remained unwavering.

Jack wasn't used to being defied like this. He angrily scribbled his name on the divorce agreement, then glared at me, his voice venomous.

"Audrey, you're quite something. I dare you not to come back crying and begging me!"

I ignored him, picked up the agreement, and walked away.

I hadn't gone far when their voices reached my ears again.

This time, Jack's friends were betting on how long it would take for me to return and grovel.

Their chatter grew louder and more excited, until Jack finally chimed in.

"Stop guessing. Three days, tops. She'll be back, crying and begging me not to divorce her."

Hearing that, I curled my lips into a sneer.

He was going to be disappointed this time.

Not only would I not go back and beg him, but I was going to make sure he lost face too!

My endless patience with him before was only because I loved him. But now, I had no reason to tolerate anything anymore.

So, as soon as I got home, I immediately contacted the media. I extracted videos from our home surveillance showing Jack with various mistresses and uploaded them online.

The most scandalous, without a doubt, was the footage of him and Scarlett.

I reciprocated his methods, ensuring these stories remained trending for an entire day and night.

Public opinion completely flipped. This time, the targets of ridicule and scorn were them.

Jack called me incessantly during this time, but I ignored every single call.

See? A knife only hurts when it cuts you.

They deserved to feel the sting of public condemnation too.

What I didn't expect was a call from the hospital a few days later.

"Ms. Hayes, it's urgent! Your mother's condition has suddenly worsened. She needs immediate surgery!"

My mother had been battling illness for years. She'd just had surgery three months prior, and her health had finally started to improve. I couldn't believe this was happening now.

When I rushed to the hospital, the doctor explained the situation.

"Ms. Hayes, the lesion has progressed. The procedure is extremely high-risk. Your mother's former specialist, Dr. Henderson, left the country for a fellowship two weeks ago. At this point, only his protégé, Dr. Reed, might be able to handle it. It's critical. You need to decide now."

Dr. Reed was Scarlett.

The name hit me like a physical blow. But faced with my mother's life, what was my pride?

Before I could go looking for her, Scarlett found me first.

Jack was standing beside her. Both of their faces were grim when they saw me.

After I explained the situation, Scarlett said,

"Ms. Hayes, that stunt you pulled online almost cost me my job. And now you're asking for my help? Don't you think you should apologize first?"

I asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Scarlett looked at me, a malicious glint in her eyes. "Unless you get down on your knees and beg me right now, I might consider it."

My eyes widened. I instinctively looked at Jack, who stood beside her.

But Jack simply said, "When you ask for a favor, you need to show the right attitude. Whether your mother lives or dies is up to you."

At his words, any last shred of hope in my heart shattered.

For my mother, I had no choice but to throw my pride onto the ground, to let them trample it.

The moment my knees hit the floor, Scarlett's undisguised jeers filled my ears.

A while later, my mother was wheeled into surgery. After an agonizing wait, the light above the operating room finally went out.

Scarlett emerged with two nurses.

I rushed forward, desperate for news, but she shook her head. "I did my best, but it seems your mother's fate was sealed. There was nothing more I could do."

But one of the nurses beside her murmured quietly, "Who says? If it weren't for... if it weren't for you losing focus during the surgery, the patient wouldn't have..."

She trailed off.

My mind went blank. By the time I came back to myself, my palm had already connected with Scarlett's face.

"You did it on purpose! Scarlett! You did it on purpose, didn't you!"

A flicker of something like concern crossed Jack's eyes when he saw my distress. He reached for me, ready to speak, but Scarlett's sob made him pull back.

"Audrey, no surgery is guaranteed. Scarlett is a doctor. Why are you making her out to be a villain?"

"Your mother has been sick for years. This might be a relief for her. You should be thanking Scarlett, not attacking her."

In that moment, my heart turned to stone.

I spent the next two weeks arranging my mother's funeral. Then I cut all ties with that toxic place for good.

As I boarded the plane, a breaking news alert flashed on my phone.

"Hayes Corp and Murray Corp Alliance Terminated! Hayes and Maxwell Industries Rumored to Be Tying the Knot!"

At the same time, Jack was ripped from sleep by the violent ringing of his phone!