Chapter 1

My deceased elder brother left me two things: a multi-million dollar company, and my little nephew.

The day my nephew was kidnapped, the kidnappers demanded ten million dollars within 24 hours.

I immediately called my wife, telling her to withdraw the money from my brother’s personal funds to save him.

Her refusal was ice-cold.

"You can't. He had a son, not a money tree. What life is worth ten million?"

Her inhuman reply ignited my fury.

"The company and the money, they were all left by Michael. It's only right to spend it on his son!"

"Right?"

My wife scoffed.

"The little money Michael left all those years ago wasn't even enough for your nephew's tuition. We've shelled out plenty ourselves. I'm just protecting *our* family's best interests."

I didn't believe her. I immediately called the school for verification.

"Sir, your nephew, Leo, was sent to school with your wife's assistant's son. Leo is here in school, it's the other child who hasn't shown up, isn't it?"

I asked for a headshot from the assistant's son's school file.

Staring at the photo, the spitting image of my wife, I smiled.

Then, I dialed the kidnappers' number.

"My family has no money. Do what you want."

1

My sister-in-law, Scarlett, was already frail. Hearing her son had been kidnapped, she collapsed on the spot and was rushed to the ICU.

Fearing the kidnappers might realize their mistake, I quickly and secretly picked up my nephew from school and hid him at a friend's house.

I then rushed back to the hospital to see Scarlett. A nurse approached with a bill.

"Mr. Alex, Ms. Scarlett's ICU bill is substantial and requires immediate payment. We need three hundred thousand dollars."

I acknowledged her, dialing the company's CFO.

The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. The CFO's voice was hesitant.

All company assets Michael left behind were under my wife Victoria's management.

"My apologies, Mr. Alex. Ms. Victoria has instructed that all large expenditures require her personal signature and approval."

"That's my sister-in-law, a board member of the company! She's lying in the ICU right now!"

"Mr. Alex, we're very sympathetic, but Ms. Victoria specifically instructed us to prevent operational risks from 'emotional expenditures.'"

Risks?

My sister-in-law was fighting for her life, and she was calculating risks?

I hung up, my heart heavy, and just sat stunned by the ICU doors.

Through the glass, I could see Scarlett's pale face.

Victoria finally arrived.

She wasn't alone.

Her assistant, Marcus, was with her. They both wore expressions of false concern.

Marcus even carried a fruit basket.

I stood before Victoria, my voice icy.

"What are you doing here?"

She smoothed down her coat, a hint of reproach in her eyes.

"Alex, don't be like that. Marcus and I came to see if there's anything we can do to help."

"Victoria, you're a hell of an actress. You're using company money to support this man's child, and now you…"

Marcus immediately stepped forward, looking at me with a pained expression.

"Mr. Alex, I know you're distressed, but Ms. Victoria is in a difficult position too!"

Victoria gave Marcus a solicitous glance, then turned to me.

"Alex, watch your words. Show some class, please?"

I suppressed the surging anger, pointing to the ICU payment window.

"My sister-in-law's medical bills. They need your signature."

Victoria frowned. "I can't approve it."

"Why not?"

"Company funds need to maintain liquidity for unforeseen emergencies. Her illness is a money pit; any investment offers no positive return for the company."

"Besides, we need to secure *our* future. That's what truly matters."

I felt all the blood drain from my body.

"Victoria, you monster!"

I clenched my fists. Marcus immediately stepped in front of her.

"Alex, what are you doing?!"

Victoria peeked out from behind Marcus.

Marcus smoothly supported her.

"Ms. Victoria, don't get upset. Mr. Alex is just too worried. He doesn't understand company operations."

Victoria let out a soft huff.

"Ignorance requires accepting reality. The business world has no room for sentimentality."

Victoria handed me a document.

An "Emergency Authorization to Manage Company Affairs."

"Sign it. Then I'll see if finance can squeeze out a few thousand dollars."

I stared at her.

"Victoria, does it really have to come to this?"

The atmosphere was awkward. Marcus offered a forced smile.

"Mr. Alex, Ms. Victoria actually cares about your nephew."

"See, Ms. Victoria just got me this new bulletproof model. Over ten million dollars."

"She said things are unstable outside and we need to upgrade our security. If your nephew comes back safe, I can give him a ride to and from school in this car."

Marcus pulled out a car key from his pocket and pressed it. Down in the parking lot, a brand new Mercedes S680 flashed its lights.

News of my nephew's kidnapping became an excuse for him to get a new car?

"Victoria! You have money to buy him a car, but not to ransom my nephew?"

I pointed at her.

Victoria slapped the document onto the long bench by the ICU entrance.

"What do you know? Buying a car comes with a proper invoice, an official expense, tax-deductible. Can a kidnapper give you a receipt?"

"Alex, your emotions are unstable right now. You're not fit to handle company matters."

"Sign it, or I'll not only cut off Scarlett's medical funds but also declare you mentally unstable and have you committed."

My fingers trembled with rage.

"Get out!"

The farce ended unhappily.

She used the most professional excuses to pull off the most despicable schemes.

Conventional methods wouldn't work against this viper. I had to be more ruthless than her.