Chapter 8

"After we got married, all our assets became marital property. So even if you take this to court, the outcome won't change."

As he spoke, Ryan suddenly seemed to find his confidence again, like he'd finally grabbed onto a lifeline. He straightened his back and let out an icy laugh. "And besides, so what if the company originally belonged to you?"

His gaze swept across the office, deliberately looking at every employee around us. His voice carried the confidence of someone convinced he controlled everything.

"You've been away from the company for five or six years. During that time, who do you think has been at the helm? Who was the one steering the ship, making the hard calls, and ensuring everyone here stayed profitable?

"I was. Every person in this room owes their promotion to me. Do you honestly believe that after all this time, you can just walk back in, say a few things, and expect them to suddenly follow your lead?"

The air instantly turned tense.

Then, quietly, someone agreed with him.

"Mr. Newman does have a point..."

"He really has been running the company all these years..."

"She's basically just been a housewife..."

The direction of the conversation began to shift.

Georgia recovered quickly, too. The panic in her eyes disappeared in an instant, replaced once again by that delicate, innocent expression she wore so well.

She stepped forward and gently tugged on Ryan's sleeve. "Mr. Newman, please don't be angry..."

Then she turned toward me. Her eyes were slightly teary, but there was a subtle superiority hidden beneath her soft tone.

"Mrs. Newman, I know you're upset. Having remained at home all these years without any involvement in corporate affairs, it's understandable that this is hard for you to accept..."

She sighed softly, almost as if she were generously trying to understand me. "However, a corporation is not a playground. Emotional impulses have no place in business decisions."

She paused briefly, a faint smile touching the corner of her lips. "Besides spending money recklessly... it doesn't really seem like you've done anything for Mr. Newman or this company."

A few muffled laughs spread through the crowd.

Although her tone grew even gentler, the underlying venom in her words sharpened. "My intentions are different. I have no desire to usurp your title as Mrs. Newman. My only goal is to alleviate Mr. Newman's burdens and ensure the company is managed with the competence it deserves.

"So there's really no need for you to panic like this..."

Her demeanor shifted abruptly as she addressed the security detail with cold authority. "This woman is clearly unstable and making a spectacle. Security, don't just stand there. Remove her at once to ensure our operations are no longer compromised."

Several security guards exchanged hesitant looks, then slowly began walking toward me.

At the same time, the attitudes around me completely changed.

"Exactly. This is an office, not somewhere she can throw a tantrum..."

"No matter what, she shouldn't disrupt everyone's work..."

"Talking about firing Mr. Newman... she's lost her mind..."

I scanned the room, meeting their eyes one by one. The expressions were identical: frigid, derisive, and calculated as they signaled their allegiance.

I observed every individual with deliberate precision, etching each of their faces into my memory.

Then, without warning, a smile touched my lips. Without looking at anyone else again, I pulled out my phone.

Right in front of the entire office, I made a call.

"You can come in now."