Chapter 3 Jeffrey Receives Shocking News

But Jeffrey was oblivious to the shift in fortunes. His opportunity to play the hero had vanished.

Cameron Walker, a childhood friend with whom I grew up, had stepped in to save my company.

Quiet, reserved, and usually a man of few words, Cameron had always had a knack for caring for others.

On the day we graduated from university, he revealed his long-held feelings for me. He confessed that he had reserved his heart for me, not allowing any other to claim a place.

However, I had just fallen for Jeffrey days before and gently rejected Cameron.

Devastated by the news of my relationship with Jeffrey, Cameron had left the country without a goodbye. Yet, at my lowest, he returned.

He found me in the hospital, pulling me into a tight embrace with a sob in his voice, "Eva, I've finally found you!"

I attempted to wriggle free, but he clung tighter as if he were trying to fuse me into his soul.

I never imagined that I would meet him again in such a miserable state.

Cameron knew my dad's company had been struggling, giving our rivals the perfect opportunity to ensnare us in corporate warfare.

As the company teetered on the brink of collapse, none of my father's business associates came to our aid. Many simply watched, eager to see us fail.

Even Jeffrey, the son-in-law my dad had trusted and supported, had abandoned us when we needed him most.

I watched in despair as my dad's life's work—everything he had poured his heart into—was on the brink of being destroyed. The devastation was complete and heart-wrenching.

Then, Cameron wired a massive sum of his company's funds into my company's account. It was a lifeline that pulled Levine Group back from the brink of bankruptcy.

Presently, Jeffrey noticed my distraught state and a trace of guilt flickered in his eyes. He gestured for his bodyguards to release me.

However, Melinda, seething with jealousy, interrupted him before he could speak. She detested any sign of his concern for me.

As I stood to leave, Melinda's foot shot out, tripping me.

Caught completely off guard, I tumbled to the floor. A glass ornament nearby toppled over, shattering into pieces all around me.

Her eyes burned with undisguised malice as she pressed her heel into the back of my hand, driving shards of glass into my palm. The intense pain nearly caused me to lose consciousness.

Amidst my agony, Jeffrey's angry voice jolted me back to reality.

"Evalyn! How long will you keep up this act? Are you staging this pathetic scene just for money now?"

As pain overwhelmed me, my vision blurred, and darkness threatened the edges of my sight. Breathing became a struggle, each breath more laborious than the last.

"Evalyn! How long are you going to keep acting? Are you pulling this pathetic stunt just to get money now?"

My vision blurred, and darkness swirled at the edges of my sight. It was getting harder to breathe.

"You're nothing but a thief," Melinda hissed, her voice seething with disdain. "The title of Mrs. Hood was always meant to be mine, and it's only fitting that your dad's company went under. He deserved it, really.

"I thought you were so devoted to your dad. But all you've done is play the victim, using his name to garner sympathy."

Her tone grew even crueler as she added, "Honestly, it would have been better if your dad had just died in that car accident like you claimed!"

I didn't know where the strength came from, but I somehow managed to get to my feet. Without thinking, I lunged at her, intent on striking her.

But before I could reach her, Jeffrey pulled her into his arms.

My Dad's body still lay in the funeral home, yet even in death, he found no peace. Cursed by others, his memory was tainted.

In the ensuing scuffle, I managed to scratch her hand, leaving vivid red marks. Jeffrey's frown deepened as he inspected the injury.

Without missing a beat, Melinda shoved me to the ground and ground her heel into my fingers. "Look at you. Pathetic and hysterical! What right do you have to still call yourself Mrs. Hood?" she commented maliciously.

Jeffrey, standing by her side, echoed her sentiments without a hint of regret. "Evalyn, have you seen yourself lately?"

His next words were laced with scorn. "Calling you a dog would be a compliment."

I gasped for air as Melinda's triumphant smirk loomed over me.

I recalled our wedding day; he had held me close, portraying the doting husband before the flashing cameras. Yet, the moment we were alone, he cast me aside like refuse.

I had been so naive.

I thought I could survive by playing dumb, that time would eventually erase certain people from his life.

I was tragically mistaken. The one erased was me.

My dignity was crushed beneath their feet, and I had lost everything.

Suddenly, Jeffrey picked up his phone. "Andrew, cancel the funds for the Levine Group."

There was a pause on the other end before Andrew finally responded, "But, Mr. Hood, the Levine Group has just announced a partnership with the Walker Group. Also, Mrs. Hood's father has passed away."

The news struck everyone like a thunderbolt.

As the reality sunk in, a wave of agony overwhelmed me, as cold and relentless as a winter storm, consuming my spirit.

Overcome by grief and pain, my legs gave way.

Everything faded to black.