She Signed It

Fenris looked up just in time to see clear finger marks on Mireille’s pale cheek—and one side of her face was swollen way up. It was obvious she’d been hit.

Raina’s slap hadn’t been gentle, but it wouldn’t have caused that much swelling. Those finger marks? No explanation needed.

Mrs. Carrington looked heartbroken but seemed afraid to say more.

Fenris glared at Raina. “Mireille was only trying to meet you. No matter what, she’s your sister. How could you lay a hand on her like that?”

Mireille whined, “Dad, don’t say that. Sh... she didn’t hit me—it was me, I accidentally bumped into something.”

Fenris shook his head, frustrated. “It’s because you always let her have her way that she’s gotten so arrogant!”

Mireille quickly grabbed Fenris’s arm and sweet-talked him, “Come on, Dad, don’t blame sis. She only lost her temper because of that kid...”

Then she put on a generous tone, “Dad, since you know where that kid is, why not just tell her? We don’t even know who the father is, but that’s still her child—nine months of pregnancy, all her hard work. Just tell her.”

She said it perfectly.

On the surface, it sounded like she was defending Raina. But really, she was reminding Fenris that Raina’s kid was some illegitimate child with an unknown father.

Fenris cared most about his reputation. Back when Raina was found to be pregnant, no matter where he went, people would point fingers and gossip, openly or in whispers, stabbing at his back with every glance.

What Mireille said just now was like pouring oil on a blazing fire.

Images of people pointing and whispering flashed before his eyes. Fenris’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He practically gritted his teeth as he said, “You want to know where that bastard child is? Fine. Just sign this transfer agreement, and I’ll tell you right away!”

With that, Fenris slammed the company transfer agreement down in front of Raina.

Without even glancing at the agreement, Raina replied, “Okay.”

Fenris had assumed she wouldn’t agree so easily—or at least, not this quickly. He was visibly stunned when she didn’t say a single extra word.

But that flash of surprise quickly faded, overwhelmed by the joy surging in his heart.

Raina picked up the pen and signed. Only after she finished did she raise her eyes to look at Fenris. A glint of fire seemed to flicker in her gaze as she asked in a low voice, “Now, you can tell me where the child is.”

Fenris’s eyes were gleaming with mania. Excited, he picked up the signed contract and, after confirming everything was in order and she hadn’t pulled any tricks, finally relaxed.

Now that he had gotten what he wanted, his expression turned arrogant again. Then, as if something amusing crossed his mind, he sneered and said, “That child? He’s been dead for a long time. Raina, did you really think that bastard was still alive?”

At his words, Raina’s face froze. Her eyes turned bloodshot in an instant, and she suddenly widened them, shouting, “What did you just say?!”

Seeing her finally lose her composure, Fenris wasn’t angry—instead, he looked as if he’d just won a great victory. Straightening with pride, he declared, “Fine, I’ll make it crystal clear for you. I said, that bastard died five years ago. Dead. Gone. Not even bones left. Got it?”

Right now, Raina looked utterly shattered. Her eyes were red, and for the first time, her usually calm face bore a blank, hollow expression—and something else: hatred.

Yes, hatred.

Even when she was sent away, or later brought back to the Carrington family only to be ignored, or when he tried to force her to marry Jasper for the sake of family connections, or even when he pushed her to hand over the VIREXIN formula, leading to her premature delivery—

She had never hated him.

Her mother, though rarely strict, had taught her one thing before passing: ‘Don’t dwell on others’ cruelty. A person who carries too many burdens will never be truly happy.’

So, toward Fenris, Mireille, and the rest, she had only ever felt exhaustion and weariness. She never provoked them, but they refused to let her live in peace.

Raina raised one trembling hand and buried her face in her palm. Her entire body was shaking, even her shoulders quivering.

It took her a long while to gather the strength to speak. Her voice, choked with emotion, leaked through her fingers: “Shut up… just shut up!”

But Fenris refused. Elated at her pain, he taunted gleefully, “And who the hell do you think you are to tell me to shut up? Raina, weren’t you always so high and mighty? Look at yourself—what right do you have to act arrogant now? You don’t even have that broken company your mom left behind anymore. What else do you have to be proud of?! Hahahaha! You’re a total failure. Useless trash that nobody wants! Hahahahahaha—!”

He laughed loudly, viciously, like the more cruel his words became, the more pleasure he took in it. His laughter echoed throughout the entire hall.

No one knew how long had passed before Raina slowly lowered her hand, straightened up on the sofa, and asked in a hoarse voice, “Is that really so funny?”

Madam Carrington and Mireille sat to the side. Mireille was holding the signed transfer agreement, her expression arrogant. Though neither of them spoke, the smug smile on their faces said more than enough.

“It’s hilarious! Absolutely hilarious—hahahaha!” Fenris laughed wildly before suddenly stopping. His eyes turned vicious as he stared at her and gritted out, “All of this should have been mine! She hid everything from me so perfectly—I really thought she was going to leave everything to me. But who would've thought—”

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

However, the look in his eyes when he turned back to Raina was even more deranged. Raina didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but she could clearly sense there was resentment in his voice—resentment directed at her.

Then Fenris, both furious and excited, bellowed, “Now, get out! Raina, from this day forward, you have nothing to do with the Carrington family! I, Fenris Carrington, have only one daughter—Mireille Carrington! Get lost, Raina!”

“Get out! Don’t you ever step foot in the Carrington house again! Get out!!!”

On the sofa, Raina didn’t say another word. She stood up and walked out of the hall, with Fenris’s cursing and maniacal laughter still echoing behind her.

One step at a time, she walked down the stone steps. With every step, her face grew calmer. When she reached the final step, she suddenly stopped, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.

The call was quickly answered. An excited voice came through the other end:

“Aaaaah! Miss Raina Carrington, you finally called me! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day? God! Miss, when are you coming to take over the company? Your mother told us to surround you with love and warmth and that we’d never betray you…”

Holding the phone, Raina bowed her head slightly and said in an expressionless, cold voice, “Three days.”

“Three days?! Really?! Miss, you’re really going to take over the company?! I’m no longer a poor assistant without a boss—”

Raina interrupted coldly, “Reclaim the Carrington estate. Kick them out.”

She had already given them a chance.

“Roger that! No problem at all! Rest assured, Miss—the Carrington estate was only temporarily loaned to them. They don’t own it. I’ll arrange everything right away. Hehe, Miss, when are you planning to—hello? Miss?!!”

Raina hung up the call, put away her phone, and walked away from the Carrington family estate without looking back.

***