Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 8

Chapter 1

My husband, Christian Conti’s hand was still on my stepsister Emma's belly.That one picture stabbed my eyes raw."Rory, don't be mad at Christian." Emma lay back on the bed, wearing that harmless, innocent smile."The doctor said I'm not in great shape. Christian was just scared something would happen to me and the baby, so he kept it from you."I let out a soft laugh. Yeah, "not in great shape". Emma was paralyzed. I honestly didn't think Christian could even bring himself to do it with her.Emma heard that laugh and kept going, voice sweet as syrup:"We're doing this for you. You're the Donna of the Conti family. How can you sit in that seat without having a child of your own?""Those capos and partners are all watching you. The second people outside smell an empty heir's chair, they'll pounce like dogs."Then she patted the back of my hand like we were sisters sharing secrets."Once the baby's born, we'll register him under your name. He'll call you Mom, okay?"On the side, my fath

Chapter 2

I turned around and shut all that "warm family togetherness" behind the door.Out on the empty balcony, I called the lawyer my mother had appointed before she died."Eric. Seven years are up."There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a quiet sigh."Rory… everything's ready. As long as you order, all the funds injected into Christian and Ethan's names will begin withdrawing within twenty-four hours. Estimated six days, and we can pull every last cent.""Start."When I hung up, it felt like the rope that had tied me down for seven years finally loosened.Christian appeared behind me at some point, frowning."Who are you calling all sneaky like that?""Rory, I'm warning you don't take the family's money and go throw it into random investments outside.""Raising a kid costs money everywhere. Be saving."He lectured me like it was only natural, completely forgetting his money existed because I made it exist.I didn't answer. I walked straight into the dining room.The long ta

Chapter 3

That night, a twisting stab in my stomach yanked me out of a nightmare.Cold sweat soaked my pajamas. I curled into myself, even breathing felt like pain.I fumbled for the nightstand, trying to find painkillers, nothing.Only then did I remember: the nanny had already cleared out the household medicine, saying Emma couldn't stand the smell of it.This massive house felt empty as a tomb.They were probably all crowded in Emma's room, asking if she was cold, if she was hungry, if she needed anything.I forced myself up and went to the hospital alone.In the ER, the doctor scanned my medical records and his expression turned grim."How did you end up like this again? Didn't I tell you to take care of yourself?"He looked up, scolding. "Wasn't Christian keeping an eye on you? Last time he was here, he begged me again and again to get you properly healed."My mind went a little blank.The first time my stomach flared up, it was here too.Christian had carried me into the ER, eyes red, grip

Chapter 4

I stayed in the hospital for a few days.Christian didn't call once.The only call I got was from the CFO, voice careful like he was walking on glass."Rory… Christian's side… their spending at the overseas resort is already over ten million. If this keeps going, the company's cash flow is going to snap."I leaned against my pillow, staring at the gray sky outside the window."Let them."The CFO panicked. "But Rory, the Manhattan port is about to settle the first payment. If we touch that money, we'll default!""Do Christian and Ethan know?"He hesitated. "They said it's fine. They said as long as you're here, you'll handle it."I gave a soft laugh. "Then default."I hung up, signed my discharge paperwork, and left.Today was the seventh anniversary of my mother's death.And the last day of my promise.I bought a bouquet of white roses, her favorite, and went to the cemetery on Maple Street.But when I stopped in front of the familiar headstone… I froze.The photo on it was a stranger.

Chapter 5

(Christian's POV)When I got home, I felt uneasy for no reason.I frowned and asked Ethan, "Dad… isn't today Julie's death anniversary?"Ethan didn't care. "So you miss one memorial. Have the servants make it up tomorrow."Before I could say anything else, my assistant Jack burst in, yelling, half out of breath:"Christian, Ethan, something's wrong! The company's cash flow has been cut off. Over a dozen projects all defaulted!"I froze.Jack gasped, "Everyone who's owed money is blocking the gate!"Ethan snapped, "Where the hell is Rory? Tell her to get her ass over here and deal with this!"Jack looked like he was about to cry. "Rory left a message… and we can't reach her."The unease in my chest sharpened. "What did she say?"Jack swallowed hard."Rory said… your problems have nothing to do with her."My face darkened.“What the hell is Rory making a scene about now?”“Wasn’t she the one bragging about how well she managed the company? And now that something’s wrong, she just walks a

Chapter 6

Christian froze. “What do you mean?”“Seven years ago, my client Julie, Rory’s mother, made a will. All assets under her name were placed into a trust fund, conditionally providing seven years of financial support to industries under the White and Conti families. The condition was that during those seven years, you had to properly take care of her daughter.”Eric’s words shattered my final illusion.“Yesterday marked the end of the seven-year agreement. With the contract expired, the funds were naturally withdrawn.”“As for the White and Conti families, they were hollow shells built on Julie’s capital from the start. Now that the money is gone, there’s nothing left.”“Oh, and one more thing,” Eric added. “Rory asked me to tell you that she may not have been a perfect wife, but she has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to you.”“Her final question for you is this: Do you love Emma?”Click.The line went dead.Eric’s final question echoed in my ears.“Do you love Emma?”My hand loos

Chapter 7

(Rory’s POV)When Eric hung up, I was standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of my new house.Outside, the city glittered like a galaxy.I swirled the red wine in my glass.Behind me, my assistant Ann reported calmly, “Rory, White and Conti stocks have hit their limit down. Liquidation is underway. Everything should be completed within three days.”“Good.” I took a sip. It was the vintage I liked.“Christian’s personal accounts have been frozen as well. And Conti… it should already be in complete chaos by now.”I didn’t respond. I simply stared at the tallest building in the video playing on my phone.That was the Conti headquarters, the empire I had built for him with my own hands.Now, one by one, the lights inside were going out.Like a dying giant, slowly losing its last breath.My phone buzzed.【Rory, Christian wants to speak to you. 】I replied with two words: 【Block him. 】After finishing all this, I turned off my phone and downed the wine in my cup in one gulp.Seven year

Chapter 8

The first project at my new company was a massive success, so we held the celebration at the most elite hotel on Wall Street.Between the toasts and clinking glasses, I started to feel drained and stepped out onto the terrace to get some air.The night breeze was cool, sobering me up a little.Eric called.“Rory… there’s something I think you should know.” His tone hesitated.“Say it.”“Christian sent your father and Emma in.”My hand paused around my wineglass.“He filed a report and submitted all the evidence for their business fraud and embezzlement. The chain is… extremely complete.”“And…” Eric’s voice lowered slightly. “His private dealings with your father were included too.”I stayed silent, looking at the skyline stretching in the distance.Eric continued, “Emma’s baby is gone. Supposedly, before she was detained, Christian took her to deal with it.”“He’s doing all this… probably to prove something to you.”“I know,” I said quietly.Using other people’s destruction and blood

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