After being discharged from the hospital, I returned home. Linda sprawled on the couch, her arm covering her eyes. She looked utterly defeated."Did you set everything up, Lewis?" she asked, her eyes showing a hint of desperation.I knew her life had been tough during my time in the hospital. While I was away, some of the team members I had nurtured decided to leave. As they departed, the Chancers Corporation started falling apart. The corporation seemed on the brink of collapse, and internal problems were tearing it apart.The first department to hit rock bottom was the finance department. Linda had hired some of her lover's relatives for key financial roles, despite my objections. She claimed they were highly skilled professionals and hoped I would train them. But the truth was, these folks were quick but often cut corners, making them a long-term risk.This actually worked in my favor. As expected, the finance department started having issues. Then, under Melvin's guidance
I avoided Linda's attempt to hold my hand and placed the divorce agreement and the share acquisition contract in front of her."Linda, just sign it," I said calmly.Her dark eyes flickered with a hint of bitterness. "Lewis, are you really that ruthless? I know I was wrong, and I won't contact those other men again."Seeing that I remained silent, Linda grew increasingly agitated. "I merely had an affair, does it really warrant you hating me and seeking revenge to this extent?”She yelled at me, her voice hoarse and terrifying, like a dying wounded beast.Did I hate Linda? Perhaps, there was a time when I did. I used to believe that by offering my sincere heart, I could get another one in return. But later, I realized that what I received in exchange was a sharp knife, one that had stabbed me deeply, causing me to bleed profusely.I raised my glasses slightly on my nose and said, "Linda, I've never been someone who repays kindness with vengeance. When you tried to destroy my business
Linda looked at me, despair in her eyes for the first time."Lewis—" She tried to speak but couldn't find the words."Linda, don't struggle. You can't win against me," I said."Take advantage of the tiny bit of nostalgia I still have for you and sign the divorce papers now," I continued. "Don't push your luck while I'm still showing you some mercy. You can't afford it."Linda's face turned pale. "Lewis, do we have to do this?""What else?" I stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Linda, do you really think that after everything we've been through, we can go back to how things were?""You do know this relationship began with your deceit," I added, looking down at her. "Not to mention what happened later – your emotional and physical infidelity. You've already tainted yourself to the point where I find you disgusting to look at."Really, don't push me any further, Linda."Linda closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were calm. "Fine."The process of my di
On the day when the Chancers Corporation changed hands, I had someone deliver the news to Linda's mother. When something worth celebrating happens, it's only right to share it with others. However, upon hearing the news, she was so shocked that she fell into a coma and has not woken up since.Aware of her condition, I came to the hospital and paid all her medical bills. Standing at the door of the hospital room, I looked at Linda's mother lying in bed, frail and lifeless. Suddenly, I remembered how she looked when she first approached me all those years ago—graceful, arrogant, and condescending."Lewis, being chosen by our dear Linda is your good fortune," she had said back then. "As a mother, I naturally respect her wishes and agree to you becoming our son-in-law."With that, she placed an agreement and some documents in front of me. "Don't rush to refuse. Take a look at these first," she urged. "I've heard that your mother was a highly respected educator during her lifetime. Yo
As I was about to leave the hospital, a hoarse voice came from behind me: "Are you satisfied now?"I turned around to see Linda holding a sheet of paper. She had lost a lot of weight, and her collarbones were sticking out."I used to think that my wealthy family background and my own qualities meant you should feel lucky to have me by your side, being spoiled by me," she began, her voice trembling. "But now I realize that without my parents' protection, I am nothing."She continued, her voice shaking even more: "Chancers Corporation is gone, my mother is ill, and even you have left me. I truly have nothing left."The autumn wind felt a bit gloomy, and I remained silent.There was nothing left for us to say at this point. I turned to leave, but Linda stopped me.Her body trembled slightly, and her eyes were red. "Lewis, can you stay? Can we forget everything and start over?"After a moment of silence, I spoke softly, "From the moment you deceived me and underestimated me, there has be
At night, while I was trying out a new tea cocktail recipe, the doorbell rang. I slipped on my slippers and went to answer it. Linda Chancers, clearly drunk, bumped directly into me.Behind her, there was a young and lively guy who smiled at me. "Mr. Leedon, Ms. Chancers had a bit too much to drink, so I offered to bring her back," he said.He had a youthful energy and a friendly smile, without any hint of aggression. He had the kind of look that Linda always liked, like a cute puppy.I gently pushed Linda back into his arms and told him, "There are new pyjamas in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe. You can pick the style you like."After a pause, I added, "I'm a light sleeper, so please keep it down at night."Melvin Jacobs probably didn't expect me to be so understanding when dealing with the man his wife had an affair with. He stared at me with wide eyes and stuttered, "Mr. L-Leedon, I won't be staying..."He helped Linda onto the couch, being gentle and full of affection. Then, he
At the dinner table, Linda, smelling strongly of alcohol, came close to me."Melvin just graduated, and I'm thinking of having him as my assistant," she said.I found this quite surprising. Over the years, there had been a revolving door of men in her life, the longest-lasting ones lasting no more than three months. Linda was naturally fickle, always chasing after something new.She usually dreaded getting too attached, but she seemed willing to keep Melvin close. It seemed she genuinely liked this young man.I kept my gaze low and calmly asked, "Do you need me to arrange anything for him?"Linda raised her eyelids to give me a teasing glance and remarked, "So generous? What if he’s trying to replace you as the Chancers' son-in-law?"I responded with a neutral expression, "As long as you wish, it's fine with me.""Lewis, don't be ridiculous. I'm not in the mood to coax you right now," Linda said in a lazy tone, her eyelids slightly drooping. It was as if she was convinced that I wa
Linda stormed out, probably to find Melvin. Not long after, she sent me a message:"Take some time to reflect and then come apologize to me."I stared at the shattered pieces of porcelain, lost in my thoughts, reminiscing about the past. When we graduated from high school, Linda cautiously moved closer to me, just to be closer in our group photos. We were separated by only a shoulder's width, yet I could feel the intense affection of a young girl back then, burning like fireworks. The summer breeze carried a hint of the lingering daytime heat. Being close to her, I could feel a warmth in my chest. Even now, I still remembered it.When I accepted her confession, the radiance and excitement in Linda's eyes were unforgettable. She said she would be the perfect girlfriend in the world and would treat me well for a lifetime. The sincere and fervent love of a young girl surrounded me, and I naturally believed it. I never doubted her sincerity, but sincerity can change in an instant.