Chapter 2

That sentence was the last straw that broke my back, and I finally gave up completely on Theo, the son I'd cherished with all my heart.

In my previous life, I was hacked to death precisely because I stayed behind to protect Theo, who was still at North Hill Corporation.

And yet, he still hated me.

In my dying moments, he leaned close to my ear and whispered, "If my real dad were here, he'd definitely be able to protect me."

Thinking of this, I couldn't suppress a mocking laugh. Then, I replied with a shrug, "You're right to change your choice of spouse.

"After all, Theo should be with his biological father. But remember—I'm the one calling off the engagement this time, because I find you filthy!"

My words landed like a bolt out of the blue, sending shockwaves through the entire crowd.

Janelle's eyes turned bloodshot. If someone hadn't held her back, she would've gladly skinned me alive.

"How dare a stray dog that begs at my feet for scraps like you find me filthy?"

The way she looked at me was no different from how she'd look at a dog she could command at will.

After calming down a bit, Janelle gave me a cold stare.

"No matter who the father is, Theo is my son and the descendant of us Erwins!"

I pressed my lips together, a bitter taste lingering in my mouth.

Just from Theo's age, I could figure out exactly when Janelle had conceived him.

This was our make-up wedding. Janelle and I had already registered our marriage five years ago.

On the night of our registration, we'd invited our respective friends to a gathering.

Halfway through the party, I found Janelle and Lance messing around in the bedroom.

I stood outside the door and heard everything clearly. Afraid that others would find out my newlywed wife was already cheating on me, I couldn't muster the resolve to go in or walk away.

Only after the sounds inside had stopped did I push the door open.

I still remembered the words Lance used to humiliate me. He wrapped an arm around Janelle's shoulders and asked, "Isn't this your husband?"

Janelle wrapped herself in the blanket, her body barely covered. Without even glancing at me, she ordered, "My clothes are all torn. Go buy me a new set."

I no longer remembered how I managed to buy the clothes and bring them over. All I could recall was my soul leaving my body, extinguishing every last bit of emotion within me.

I'd already repaid the Erwin family's kindness with my previous life. So, in this life, I lived only for myself.

Emboldened by Janelle's backing, Lance put his arm around her and chimed in, "Since it's come to this, why don't you just file for divorce yourself and walk away with nothing?"

The two played off each other, making it clear that they wanted to kick me out of North Hill Corporation without paying any price.

Even though I was ready to blow my top, I kept my composure on the surface.

"You want me to walk away with nothing? Of course, I can leave North Hill Corporation. But I'm taking what belongs to me. Haven't you always wanted to take control of the company? I can sell you my shares."

Janelle's eyes lit up the moment she heard I was willing to sell my shares. All they had really wanted was to push me out of the company, so getting their hands on my shares was already an unexpected bonus.

After all, as long as Janelle could take full control of the company, she could use the memories from her past life to make the company grow bigger.

Although I didn't have the ability to read minds, I could see it written all over her face.

I sneered inwardly, amused that Janelle had miscalculated so badly.

In my previous life, she blamed the bankruptcy of North Hill Corporation on my poor decision-making. Multiple failed bids and even the purchase of inferior building materials led to the collapse of the structures, wiping out years of effort in an instant.

Yet, she never realized that the real cancer was standing right beside her at this very moment. As soon as Lance joined North Hill Corporation, its stock price would crash to rock bottom and become utterly worthless.