Chapter 3

The clients whose orders I had canceled started calling one after another.

I redirected every single one of those orders to a few of my father's longtime business partners.

Over the phone, the senior executives and clients were all smiles, their voices full of satisfaction.

When I hung up, I felt completely at ease.

This kind of give-and-take, this way of handling people, was something my father had taught me step by step long before I ever married Perry.

Not long after, someone from Anderson Corporation who had been there for years passed me an update.

Faye was showing off her figure that she was so proud of, swaying in front of the production director, Derek Freeman.

"Mr. Freeman, when will my order be ready? Cocoa's waiting on it."

Derek kept a friendly smile on his face as he played along. "Don't worry, Ms. Dawson. We'll rush it for you. Top quality, guaranteed."

Seeing how easy she was to fool, he skipped the quality inspection process entirely.

The funny part was that Faye actually believed her charm was doing all the work. Every day, she went to Perry to take credit, saying she was managing everything so well that production efficiency had improved.

Perry was more than happy to hear it. He praised her nonstop, practically putting her on a pedestal.

On the delivery day for the billion-dollar order, Perry rented out the most luxurious hotel ballroom in the city and threw a massive celebration in Faye's honor. He invited media and industry insiders, eager to show the whole world that he had found himself the perfect partner, someone beautiful and capable.

By the time I arrived, the event was already underway.

A staff member at the entrance recognized me. A flicker of contempt and amusement crossed his face.

"Ms. Black, you're no longer part of the Andersons. Without an invitation, you can't go in."

I didn't bother arguing. I pulled out the embossed invitation from my bag and held it up in front of him.

"Take a good look. See whose invitation this is."

The moment he saw the name of my father's company on it, his face went pale. It was the client behind the billion-dollar deal, Black Group.

He practically stumbled out of my way, panic flashing across his face.

He wanted to rush inside and warn Perry, but the ceremony had already started, and Perry was on stage. There was no way through the crowd.

Up on stage, Perry was glowing with pride, one arm around Faye's waist as he passionately listed off her so-called achievements.

His gaze swept across the room and landed squarely on me.

"Everyone, there's someone else I'd like to introduce today."

He pointed straight at me, and instantly, every eye in the ballroom turned my way.

"That's my ex-wife, Wanda Black. Some people say I'm ungrateful, but business is war. What a company needs is someone who can fight through challenges, not a dead weight who holds me back with outdated thinking. Thankfully, I met Faye."

He looked at her with affection.

"With her talent and charm, she secured this billion-dollar deal for our company. That proves I made the right choice."

The room erupted.

Those who didn't know the truth pointed at me, their eyes filled with judgment.

A few senior executives who did know quietly stepped closer, giving me gentle pats on the shoulder in silent support.

I met Perry's provocative gaze and smiled.

"Mr. Anderson, Ms. Dawson, I wish you both a long and happy future together. I hope you don't regret it."