Chapter 3

When I stormed into the CEO's office,

Phillips was wearing the wedding suit that was originally meant for me, and Georgina was pressing him into a kiss.

His neck and collarbone were covered in hickeys.

Georgina raised an eyebrow slightly. "What are you doing here?"

How ridiculous.

They were in my family's company, sitting in what used to be my mom's office, asking me why *I* was there?

Phillips nervously stood up, trying to explain.

"Stephenson, don't overthink it. I can't have a wedding with Georgina."

"She said it would look good on me, and wanted to try it on. I'll go take it off and give it back to you right now."

He made a move to go to the break room, but Georgina wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Return what? It was custom-made to your measurements. We'll wear this for our commemorative photos when we register our marriage in a few days. Stephenson doesn't have your physique; he couldn't pull it off."

"There are plenty of suits for sale outside. He can just buy one then. If he really likes this one, after you're done with it, we can alter the size for him. The wedding is at the end of the month, anyway."

This suit was custom-designed by Georgina, who personally flew abroad to find a designer.

I was afraid she wouldn't know my measurements, so I specifically wrote her a note.

But Georgina casually tossed it into the trash, then, pretending to be angry, she kissed me fiercely.

"Your size? How could I not know it? Who are you looking down on?"

"Penalty: you have to kiss me."

As sweet as it felt then, that's how heartbroken I was now.

The 'darling' she spoke of, turned out to be someone else.

I took a deep breath, and suppressing my nausea, I asked,

"What right do you have to order the removal of my family company's sign? And by what authority are you sitting here?"

Phillips bit his lip and spoke softly,

"Stephenson, Georgina is now the new CEO."

I froze, unable to comprehend what she meant for a moment.

Georgina has her own company, why would she become the CEO of my family's company?

And when did she acquire the shares?

"Stephenson, last month, your family's company first lost a key client, then couldn't collect payments from downstream suppliers, leading to a sharp drop in revenue and widespread internal unrest."

"Compounded by your mom's sudden death, negative news spread like wildfire, and many shareholders were dumping their stocks at low prices. I was the one who bought them back in time."

As if sensing my confusion, Georgina got up and adjusted her collar.

"Now I hold 40% of the shares, more than what your mom left you. The board members are smart people; they know who can lead the company to greater success."

"I can not only bring back the key client and collect the outstanding payments, but also promise them higher returns."

Georgina cupped my face, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"But Stephenson, what can you offer them? Your tears?"

"You're a hothouse flower, pampered and overprotected by your mom."

"You don't even understand business operations, how can you handle the cutthroat world of commerce?"

"Be a good boy. From now on, you just need to stay home, enjoy life, and collect your dividends at the end of the year."

"As for outside engagements, Phillips will accompany me. He's more suited for such occasions than you."

I couldn't stop trembling all over.

I might not understand, but I wasn't an idiot.

Georgina had revealed her hatred for Mom yesterday, and she had always been ambitious.

Every single one of these incidents was clearly her doing.

But watching her paint herself as a savior with such understatement,

my heart still ached with spasms.

That year, in my senior year of college, my classmates and I went to a nearby small shooting club.

One of the girls who I had rejected before scoffed,

"Oh, Stephenson, you actually dare to touch a gun? Can you even use one?"

"Don't wet yourself again. Even if you begged to be with me, I'd still find you disgusting."

That's when Georgina appeared.

She steadied my hand and fired nine shots, hitting the bullseye every single time.

On the tenth shot, the muzzle suddenly turned, pointing directly at the girl's head.

Though I was terrified, I quickly nudged the barrel away, and the bullet whizzed past her ear.

The girl's face went pale with fright, her pants were soaked, emitting an unpleasant smell.

Georgina lowered her gaze and chuckled softly,

"Look, now it's you, a pathetic coward who only bullies the weak and fears the strong, who should be thanking someone for their kindness and innocence."