Chapter 1

“Mr. Clarke, please come back quickly.”

“Mrs. Clarke can’t keep the company afloat any longer. We’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”

Charles Clarke sneered, but before he could speak, a loud slap rang out from the other end of the phone.

“Who allowed you to call him?”

Sophia Shaw snatched the phone away and said coldly, “Charles, she called you behind my back. This has nothing to do with me. I have the ability to solve the company’s problems.”

The arrogant housewife was determined to prove her abilities. In less than six months, she drove a company valued at over $200 million to the brink of bankruptcy.

Trying to use someone else’s achievements to prove her own worth was the biggest joke in the world.

And she still managed to ruin everything.

Sophia continued, “However, I can give you a chance to try solving this problem. You’ve lived off me for long enough. It’s time for you to prove yourself.”

Charles laughed.

Sophia was clearly incompetent, yet she still acted as though she were superior to everyone else.

“Sophia, do you have no shame? I gave you the company. What right do you have to say that I’m living off you?

“Besides, you’ve only been in charge for six months, and you’ve nearly driven the company into bankruptcy. I’m honestly impressed.”

Sophia shouted furiously, “The company belongs to me now! I’m the chairwoman. Who the hell do you think you are?

“Besides, I was simply unlucky. If a bastard like you could do it, so can I!”

The moment Charles heard the word “bastard,” the veins on his forehead bulged.

He was an orphan who built Horizon Group from nothing and turned it into Rivergate’s leading company.

He met Sophia three years ago, and they officially married two years later.

After their marriage, Sophia wanted to prove herself and escape the label of being Mrs. Clarke.

She believed she could take Horizon Group’s growth to the next level, so she demanded that Charles arrange a position for her in the company.

After she caused trouble again and again, Charles could no longer stand it. He simply transferred the company shares to her and made her chairwoman.

No one knew that Horizon Group was merely one of Charles’ less significant businesses.

From that day onward, Sophia became a completely different person. She foolishly believed that she earned everything through her own abilities.

She acted superior to Charles and completely forgot that he gave her everything.

Her sense of superiority grew so extreme that she even believed their marriage was an act of mercy toward Charles and that she gave him a family.

Charles gritted his teeth. “Sophia, you know I hate it when people use that word in front of me.”

Sophia mocked him. “I’m only stating the truth. What can you do if you don’t like it? Did I hurt your pitiful pride?

“You’re nothing but an orphan—a worthless piece of trash nobody wanted.”

Charles shouted angrily, “Sophia, don’t forget that I’m your husband and the founder of Horizon Group.”

Sophia burst into laughter. “Hahahaha. Charles, you don’t actually think I married you because I truly loved you, do you?

“To tell you the truth, I never had feelings for you. I only wanted Horizon Group. You’re nothing but a pet I feed scraps to!”

Sophia’s arrogant confidence came from her control over Horizon Group. She feared nothing about falling out with Charles.

In Sophia’s eyes, Charles was now completely useless.

Charles said, “Horizon Group will definitely go bankrupt within a month.”

Sophia sneered. “I’ll solve all the problems within a month.”

They hung up at the same time.

Sophia muttered to herself, “What a ridiculous man. He actually thinks I loved him. If it weren’t for his money, he wouldn’t even be worthy of my attention.”

Sophia walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at a high-rise about a hundred meters away. It was her last hope of saving Horizon Group.

The building belonged to Kingston Industries.

The company had established itself in Rivergate a year ago and possessed astonishing financial strength. No one knew who its real owner was. A woman who claimed to be the president’s assistant managed everything.

“She’s a woman too. She’ll definitely help me. Besides, we’re both strong, capable women. She has no reason to refuse me.

“As long as I secure a partnership with Kingston Industries, all of Horizon Group’s problems will resolve themselves.”

Meanwhile.

At the top of Kingston Industries Tower.

Charles held the phone with such force that it was nearly crushed in his hand.

His face was expressionless, and no emotion showed in his features.

However, his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Fancy Lowe stood trembling beside him.

As the executive assistant to the president of Kingston Industries, Fancy held a high position in Rivergate. However, the slightest change in Charles’ expression was enough to put her on edge.

“Is being an orphan something to be ashamed of? Should orphans be mocked?”

Fancy’s face immediately turned deathly pale.

Charles continued, “She tried to use my wealth and influence to place herself above me. I’ll make her pay. I’ll make her regret every word she said and everything she did.”

At that moment, someone knocked on the office door.

Fancy said, “Come in.”

“Miss Lowe, your visitor is here.”

Fancy instinctively glanced at Charles.

Charles gave a slight nod.

Fancy said, “Let him in.”

A short while later, a man entered the office.

When he saw Charles, he did not look surprised.

Frank Warren had once been a street vendor. Now, he was the owner of a famous restaurant chain in Rivergate. Charles had helped him reach his current position.

However, with Horizon Group on the verge of collapse, Frank wanted to make Kingston Industries his new backer. Naturally, he no longer took Charles seriously.

As for why Charles had appeared there, Frank thought the reason was simple. Kingston Industries was the only company capable of saving Horizon Group, so Charles had to be there to ask for help.

Frank said, “Miss Lowe, I didn’t know you had another guest. However, I must warn you not to enter into any kind of partnership with Horizon Group.”

Charles said, “Frank, I played a major role in helping you get where you are today.”

Frank glanced at Charles with disdain. “That was all in the past. There’s no point dwelling on past glories. You have no value to me anymore.”

Charles sneered. “So, this is how you repay the person who helped you? Aren’t you afraid of falling into my hands?”

Frank mocked him. “What a load of bullshit. You’re about to go under, yet you still think you can scare me?

“Miss Lowe, could you have this useless man thrown out? I have something very important to discuss with you.”

Fancy noticed that Charles remained seated and asked, “Just say what you came here to discuss.”

Frank said, “Fine. It doesn’t matter if he hears it anyway.

“I’m here on behalf of the Rivergate Chamber of Commerce. We hope the owner of Kingston Industries will become our new chairman.”

Fancy said, “If I remember correctly, Mr. Clarke is the current chairman, isn’t he?”

Frank laughed.

“Mr. Clarke? Please. He’s an orphan whose company is on the verge of bankruptcy. What right does he have to remain chairman?”

Fancy shuddered in fear.

“Miss Lowe, are you feeling hot? Why are you sweating?”