Chapter 3

I turned my head.

Gordon had arrived in a rush, his hand clamped so tightly around Adrian's wrist that sweat gathered on Adrian's forehead. With one sharp motion, Gordon flung him aside.

"Leah is my wife," he said quietly. "I'll take care of her future. If you dare bother her again, you'll pay for it."

Adrian let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You? Don't make me laugh."

But he was no match for Gordon's strength. Forced back, he turned away, a sneer lingering on his face.

"Gordon, you're nothing but a tool Leah's using to get revenge on me. What exactly are you proud of? Give it three days—she'll come crawling back to me."

…

That night, Adrian formally announced the termination of all collaboration with the Madison family. The impact was immediate. Madison Group took a devastating hit, its stock price plunging straight into free fall.

The next morning, every shareholder rushed to the emergency meeting.

No one expected Adrian to show up uninvited—bringing Isabelle with him.

He carried himself with a smug air of superiority, even though his voice sounded almost gentle.

"Leah, forgive me, but you're too stubborn and headstrong. Acting out was inevitable. Think of this as a lesson—something to teach you how to behave."

He snapped his fingers. A group of hotel staff walked in, arms full of gowns and jewelry.

Adrian stepped up beside me, chin lifted arrogantly.

"I know you've been refusing to come back because you were embarrassed at the engagement party. So I'll hold a wedding for you—fulfill that little dream of yours."

My whole body trembled with anger. He was absurd—almost laughably so.

Isabelle approached, placing the clothing beside me with an expression full of gracious sacrifice.

"Leah, all your friends are waiting for you to attend the wedding. You should hurry and change."

I looked closely. It wasn't a wedding dress—just a simple gown.

Adrian caught the displeasure in my expression.

"Leah, the wedding dress is for Isabelle. She's the wife. You're the mistress. There has to be a difference."

I threw the gown to the floor and told them both to get out.

Isabelle's eyes flickered—then, a moment later, tears covered her entire face.

"Leah, it's fine if you hate me, but how can you trample on Adrian's kindness like this? He went everywhere trying to pick out that dress for you."

I let out a cold laugh, picked up the gown by its cheap rhinestones, and tossed it back at her.

"If you like it, take it. I'm not interested in anything that pretends to be luxurious but is just trash underneath—much like the man standing beside you."

Adrian's expression darkened, the air turning suffocating around him.

Isabelle rushed toward me, reaching for my hand.

"Leah, you really misunderstood Adrian. Actually—"

I yanked my hand away, irritated—and she immediately crumpled to the floor.

She wrapped both arms around her stomach and wailed.

"It hurts—my stomach—! Leah, I only wanted you and Adrian to make up. Why did you push me?"

Panic flashed across Adrian's face. He lunged toward her and swept her into his arms, grip tightening, veins bulging along his forehead.

"Doctor! Call a doctor! Isabelle, don't be afraid. I won't let anyone hurt you or the baby!"

Then he turned on me, breath shaking with fury.

"Leah, Isabelle has already yielded so much for you, and still you act so viciously! If anything happens to that child, I'll bury the entire Madison family with it!"

I responded with a soft, humorless laugh and said nothing.

When he learned the baby was fine, relief washed over him. Then he planted himself in front of me again, chin lifted in self-righteous confidence.

"Even if Isabelle's fine, you still owe her an apology. I know your mother left you three chests of jewelry. Give them to Isabelle, and I won't pursue this further."

The moment he mentioned the jewelry, unmistakable greed lit up Isabelle's eyes.

I steadied myself, pushing down the storm inside.

"Those jewels are my mother's keepsakes. They're priceless. And you dare dream of taking them?"

Adrian smiled faintly.

"Once you're with me, what's yours is mine. Naturally, I have the right to decide where things go."

I bit down hard, swallowing the anger burning through me.

"Keep dreaming. I won't be your mistress, and I won't hand over those jewels. Take Isabelle and get out of my life, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Adrian clearly hadn't expected me to humiliate him in public. His entire body trembled with rage.

He stepped closer.

"It seems I've been far too indulgent with you. You'll pay for this stupidity—and that malice of yours."

Then he pulled out his phone, eyes cold as steel.

"Send out the order. Buy up whatever remains of the Madison family's assets. I want them ruined. Completely."

The room froze for three full seconds before chaos erupted.

Isabelle peeked out from behind him, eager to watch me break down.

But before she could smile, his secretary burst into the room, breathless and frantic.

"Mr. Reese! The company… it—it's bankrupt!"