Chapter 4

Maxwell leaned in, lowering his voice as he said, "You really think I didn't know? When you helped your boss cook the books last year, how much did you take in kickbacks? And that project bid the year before…"

My eyes widened. How did he know any of that?

Back then, I had let my guard down and let my boss use me, unknowingly helping him funnel money. I had pulled back the moment I realized, but by then, he had something on me.

Beside me, Evelyn tugged at my sleeve. "Just agree to it. If that gets out, you'll lose your job!"

I looked at her, and suddenly, everything clicked. She was the one who told Maxwell.

Over the years, I had occasionally talked about work at home. Whatever Evelyn heard, she passed on to her family.

I had treated her as the person closest to me, yet she had treated my weakness like a bargaining chip.

Tiffany clutched my sleeve, sobbing as she said, "Dad… Just give him my wedding fund. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"No! That's your money. No one touches it."

Maxwell snickered. "What a touching father-daughter moment. Too bad. You're handing over that money today, whether you like it or not."

"I've already saved the video and backed it up to the cloud," he added, waving his phone. "If you don't agree, I'll upload it right now.

"I've even got the caption ready. 'A manager, Lawrence Zimmerman, embezzled for years and abused his nephew. He's a monster.'

"By then, you won't just lose your job. People will be gossiping about your daughter everywhere she goes."

Then, he turned to Tiffany, his gaze full of malice. "Isn't that right, my dear cousin?"

Tiffany shrank back behind me, trembling.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, my decision was made. "Fine. I'll sign it."

Maxwell's face lit up with delight instantly. He lifted his chin smugly and said, "See? It would've been so much easier if you had done this from the start. Why drag this out and make everyone miserable?"

With that, he slid the contract and a pen toward me. "Sign it."

But I didn't take the pen.

"Not this. I meant… the divorce papers."

All at once, Evelyn froze. "What did you just say?"

"I said, I want a divorce."

"You said it yourself!"

Her eyes lit up as she pulled out a few sheets of paper from the drawer. "Since you brought it up, I'll be clear. The house and savings are mine, while Tiffany stays with you.

"From now on, she's none of my concern. And don't even think about asking for her wedding fund."

I stared at the divorce papers Evelyn pushed toward me. It clearly stated that I'd walk away with nothing.

I frowned. "What gives you the right to—"

"You're not going to deny it, are you?" Evelyn cut me off.

She pulled out her phone and played a recording. In the next instant, my voice filled the room.

"Evelyn… I truly love you. If we ever can't make it, I won't take a thing. I'll give you everything."

I remembered that. Six months ago, on her birthday, I'd had too much to drink and held her, rambling out all kinds of foolish promises.

I never imagined she had recorded it.

"I've already had this notarized. You can't talk your way out of it. Even if this goes to court, I've got a strong case."

Evelyn pointed at the agreement as she continued, "I was willing to keep things from getting ugly if you'd just handed over the money. But since you brought up divorce, go ahead. Sign it."

At that moment, Tiffany rushed forward, tears streaming down her face. "Mom! You can't do this!"

"Shut up! You don't get a say here!" Evelyn snapped. "You're just a burden who'll get married and leave anyway. Stop stirring things up!"

Maxwell, on the other hand, eagerly shoved the pen into my hand. "Come on, Uncle Lawrence. Sign it! Hurry up! Once you do, this will all be over."

"Lawrence, you're a grown man. You should keep your word," Lucy said from the side. "You made that promise to Evelyn, so there's no backing out now."