PRIDE OR TEN MILLION DOLLARS

Scarlett

After finalizing the inheritance, I stepped out of the villa with Mr. Hale walking beside me.

“We'll arrange the blind date as soon as possible,” he said. “Does tomorrow evening work for you?”

“Perfectly.”

“The location will be sent to you shortly.”

As Mr. Hale’s car pulled away, I turned to Lawyer Leonard.

“Leonard,” I asked, my voice measured and calm. “Regarding the assets of my late father, there’s one thing that wasn’t clearly defined in the initial audit. The patents for my previous pharmaceutical research—the ones currently being transferred to EH Pharmaceuticals—where do they stand in the inheritance process?”

Leonard paused, adjusting his glasses. “Ah, yes. They are currently in the final stages of a corporate transfer agreement. Why? Is there an issue?”

A cold pulse of memory hit me. In my past life, I had signed those patents over as a ‘gift’ to my husband. They became the bedrock of his empire, generating tens of millions while I was relegated to his uncredited assistant.

“Can it be stopped?” I asked.

“It hasn't been finalized. We can terminate the transfer with one click.”

“Do it,” I said. “Revoke everything. Now.”

Using Leonard’s secure tablet, I logged into EH’s internal network. I didn't even have to think twice about the password. Aurelia0312.

His mistress’s birthday. The betrayal was baked into every corner of his life.

With steady fingers, I didn't just stop the transfer—I wiped every trace of my data from his system. But when I searched for the files on the new drug development, I hit a wall.

Empty.

I scrolled through the system one last time. No sign of the new drug files.In the past, those drugs had brought Ethan an immense amount of wealth, demeaning the importance of something meant to save lives and turning it into a tool for profit.

I wasn't surprised. Ethan was a parasite, but he was a cautious one. He would be keeping the most valuable data on his person—probably encrypted on his private drive.

I didn't waste another second searching.

I'll make sure to get the new drug patent off Ethan's computer so the drug doesn't get created. I knew I couldn't brute-force my way into his personal computer while he was hovering around. I needed him distracted, and—most importantly—out of the house.

But that was fine. I wasn't in a hurry. Ethan was about to get his first big loss.

By revoking those patents, I hadn't just taken back my work; I had pulled the rug out from under the biggest negotiation of his life.

I knew exactly what today was. In my previous life, this was the day Ethan secured the ten-million-dollar investment from Hartley Global—the deal that turned him into a pharmaceutical mogul.

Right on cue, my phone vibrated. Ethan.

I let it ring until the very last second before answering.

“Scarlett! Where the hell are you?” His voice was a frantic, ragged edge.

“Ethan? Is everything okay? You sound—”

“The legal team says the patent transfers have been flagged as 'Revoked.' Why aren't they in the company's name? Come to the office. Right now!” he barked, his voice dropping to a panicked hiss. “I need you to verify the patent transfer for a client. Hurry!”

“Alright, I’ll be there,” I said softly.

I hung up and didn't rush. I smoothed out the fabric of my dress and checked my reflection in a nearby window, ensuring my expression was a perfect mask of worried innocence. The longer he waited, the more desperate he would become.

When I walked into his conference room ten minutes later, the air was thick with panic. Ethan looked like he’d aged ten years. His face lit up with a terrifying, desperate relief the moment he saw me.

“Scarlett, honey, thank God.” He rushed over, grabbing my hand a little too hard. “This is Mr. Alfred from Hartley Global. Tell him about the patents. Tell him they’re being transferred to the company.”

I turned to Mr. Alfred, a man whose sharp eyes seemed to see right through Ethan’s sweating facade.

“Is that true, Mrs. Scarlett?” Alfred asked. “Are you the sole owner?”

“Yes,” I said, looking a bit shy, playing the part of the supportive spouse.

“Are you with proof of ownership?”

I nodded and handed over the folder Leonard had prepared for me. Alfred reviewed the documents briefly, his expression shifting from skepticism to professional interest.

“Ownership confirmed,” Alfred said, his voice firm. “In that case, we'll be pushing forward with the cooperation as planned.”

Ethan’s face broke into a wide, greedy smile, his eyes practically glowing with the thought of the ten million dollars. “I’m so glad to hear that, Mr. Alfred. I’ve already prepared the corporate seals to finalize the paperwork on behalf of EH Pharmaceuticals—”

“Not with you, Mr. Ethan,” Alfred interrupted.

Ethan’s smile died instantly. “What... did you just say?”

His voice came out cracked. He looked like he’d been slapped.

“The patents are under your wife's name,” Alfred explained, his tone shifting to one of profound professional respect as he looked at me. “In the eyes of Hartley Global, she isn't just the inventor. She is the sole decision-maker. Which means our investment, our partnership, and this ten million dollars... they follow her. Not your company.”

“My wife doesn't handle business!” Ethan let out a short, disbelieving laugh, turning to me with a frantic look in his eyes. “Scarlett, tell him! Tell him you’re handing the rights to me!”

I looked at Ethan, my eyes wide and full of "worry." I turned back to Alfred, my voice trembling slightly. “Mr. Alfred, my husband has worked so hard... can't we just include him in the deal?”

I knew the answer before the words even left my mouth. Hartley Global was famous for its policy. They never invested in intermediaries or messy corporate structures. They wanted the source, and only the source. By asking for Ethan to be included, I wasn't helping him. I was forcing Alfred to shut him out completely.

Alfred’s face hardened, just as I expected, and he began to pack his briefcase. “I'm afraid not. Our policy is strict. If we can’t deal with the owner alone, we will withdraw the ten million dollars immediately. It’s your choice, Mr. Ethan—does your wife sign this deal alone, or do I walk out that door with the money?”

The room went deathly silent. I watched Ethan’s face turn from pale to a sickly shade of gray.

He had to choose: his pride, or the ten million dollars. I looked at Ethan’s trembling hands, a faint smile tilting the corners of my lips.

“Well, Ethan?” I whispered, loud enough only for him to hear. “Should I save your company... or should we let Mr. Alfred leave?”