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Semua Bab Parting Ways with Old Friends: Bab 1 - Bab 10

10 Bab

Chapter 1

After ending the phone call, I hired a private investigator to look into the past few months of Ethan and Maya's movements.The investigator replied quickly.[You will get the feedback within three days.]At dinner, the atmosphere seemed as warm as ever.Halfway through the meal, Ethan slid a document next to my plate."Evelyn, remember when I mentioned getting a strategic divorce so we could buy that school district property? “I had the agreement drafted. You just have to sign it."Ethan adjusted his glasses. "The spots in that district are tight. If we miss this, our son will fall behind."I set down my fork and flipped open the blue cover.The stack of papers was thick, with slight creases at the corners. It had clearly been handled multiple times.He didn't print this today. He had prepared it a long time ago.The terms were spelled out with brutal clarity. The house, the cars, the company shares, all of them belonged to Ethan Cross. The outstanding debts were ass

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Chapter 2

When I reached the playground, I stopped dead in my tracks.Standing across the lawn were my husband, son, and my best friend, Maya Miller.Leo Cross was resting comfortably in her arms. He leaned down and planted a loud kiss on her cheek."You look so pretty today, Mommy! Way prettier than that old hag back at home!"Maya stroked his hair, then leaned closer to whisper something in Ethan's ear.Ethan crouched down without hesitation and unbuckled her high heels.A passing parent smiled warmly at them. "What a perfect family you three are!"Ethan didn't correct her. Instead, he pulled Maya close and kissed her forehead."She works so hard taking care of our boy," he replied, smooth as silk.My hands trembled as I took a series of clear photos from behind the trees. After I had gotten enough evidence, I stepped out from the shadows."What do you think you're doing?"Maya froze, a flicker of panic washing across her face. "Evelyn! What are you doing here?"My voice remain

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Chapter 3

Twenty-four hours later, the rush DNA report landed in my hands.My heart sank into my chest as I read the line.[Biological relationship excluded.]The child I raised with everything in me belonged to someone else.If I still held a sliver of hope before, the private investigator's findings completely exposed Ethan Cross's calculated game.The investigator discovered a shell company registered under Paul Miller, Maya's brother, complete with luxury cars and a prime mansion.Maya's family had been dirt poor. Where did that sudden fortune come from?Tracing the trail deeper, the truth turned my blood ice-cold.Ethan Cross had been secretly siphoning assets six months ago.He exploited his position to wire company cash straight to offshore bank accounts.Even our corporate rivalry last month was a setup; they sold our core proprietary data straight to our biggest competitor.He deliberately engineered a massive financial crisis. He didn't just want to bleed the company dry,

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Chapter 4

After planning everything, I returned to the office.The moment I pushed open the boardroom doors, I heard Ethan announcing high-level staff changes."Evelyn hasn't been feeling well lately, and my mother is critically ill and needs dedicated care," Ethan announced to the board. "Therefore, Maya Miller will serve as the temporary Director of Core Projects."Maya Miller was sitting right in my assigned chair.I walked straight down the center aisle, my voice calm but sharp enough to slice through the room."Since when does an outsider get to sit in my chair?"Silence fell over the boardroom. Ethan Cross stepped up to me and lowered his voice to a whisper."Evelyn, Mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness yesterday. She could pass away at any moment," he urged quietly. "Aren't you usually the dutiful daughter-in-law? “Let Maya and I handle the company while you go take care of Mom."I scanned the executives in the room, refusing to back down.Before coming here, I had pulled

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Chapter 5

Up on the second floor, a truly stomach-turning scene played out against the glass.The original one-way mirror had been secretly replaced with a two-way pane overnight.They thought they were staring into their own reflection. They had no idea every touch and every kiss were fully visible to the crowd below.When I hired the private investigator, I learned Ethan Cross loved the thrill of public risk. He made a habit of pushing Maya Miller into dark corners during packed conferences and staff meetings.So with a press conference happening downstairs, how could they pass up the opportunity?My contact confirmed that Ethan scheduled a quick meeting with Maya in his office at precisely 7:30 PM.I almost laughed out loud.Now, their secret liaison was being broadcast live to dozens of press cameras.Ethan Cross had Maya Miller pinned against the glass, their clothes disheveled and untidy.Maya clung tightly to his neck, her head tossed back in raw indulgence.A deafening gasp e

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Chapter 6

Hearing his response, a bitter laugh almost escaped my lips."Ethan Cross, after all these years, I thought you would grow a brain. I see you're still as foolish as ever."Ethan frowned, a flicker of unease crossing his features.I clapped my hands twice.The heavy boardroom doors swung open, and several uniformed officers and senior financial auditors marched into the room."What are you doing? Who let you in here!" Ethan's assistant, Austin, tried to block their path, but an officer shoved him aside without breaking stride.I slammed a thick audit file directly in front of Ethan Cross."Did you really think the funds you wired to offshore bank accounts were safe?"I stared at him coldly. "I breached the server of that shell company registered to Paul Miller, Maya Miller's brother, long ago."Every cent you transferred went straight into frozen accounts monitored by Federal investigators."I leaned over the table. "The police let you post bail so easily just to catch you mak

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Chapter 7

As the police shoved Ethan into the back of a cruiser, I turned on my heel and took absolute control of the company.Maya Miller was immediately issued an arrest warrant for conspiracy to defraud and corporate embezzlement.She attempted to flee the country with the stolen funds.However, federal agents tackled her to the ground at the airport security checkpoint, ending her run before she could board her flight.Over the next two weeks, I systematically purged Ethan's remaining loyalists from the firm.Every senior executive who took his side and tried to kick me while the company was down was unceremoniously fired.At the same time, I filed for a formal divorce.I demanded Ethan walk away with nothing, alongside full compensation for all financial damages.---On the day of the trial, a light rain drizzled from a gray sky.I wore a tailored black trench coat, holding my umbrella high as I stepped up the courthouse stairs.In the defendant's box, Ethan Cross sat wearing a g

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Chapter 8

Ethan gripped the railings of the defense stand until his knuckles turned bone-white."Where is he... Where is my son?" His voice was raspy, laced with a faint trace of desperation.I stared back with absolute silence.Based on the clear paper trail, the judge issued the divorce decree immediately.The court granted the divorce, stripping Ethan Cross of every single marital asset due to severe misconduct.The financial crimes and criminal child abandonment were transferred to the criminal court for sentencing.---When the trial adjourned, bailiffs escorted Ethan out of the courtroom.Passing my chair, he froze in his tracks, his eyes drowning in despair."Evelyn, please let me see him," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "I had no idea he suffered so much, I swear I didn't know!"Maya showed me photos and videos of a little boy every single month! I thought... I thought our boy was living a comfortable life!"I didn't know it was all fake!"Looking at his pathetic, hypocritic

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Chapter 9

The visitation room smelled strongly of disinfectant and old, rotting wood.Behind thick, bulletproof glass, I saw Ethan Cross once again.This time, he couldn't maintain even the slightest illusion of pride.His head was shaved close to the scalp, his cheeks hollow, and his eyes completely vacant, like a walking corpse.Seeing me sit down, he picked up the receiver with a trembling hand."Evelyn, you came." His voice was faint, dripping with cautious desperation.I stared back without expression. "Say what you need to say quickly. I'm busy."Ethan forced a bitter smile, his eyes drifting into a daze."I dreamt about our early days last night," he murmured softly. "Back when we lived in a tiny basement apartment without any heating."You wrapped your only winter coat around my shoulders," he whispered, his voice cracking. "You told me that as long as we worked hard, we would make it out."Tears spilled over his lashes. "I want to go back to that time so badly. Just the two of

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Chapter 10

The moment I stepped out of the prison gates, the bright sunlight stung my eyes.A gentle spring breeze swept past, carrying the sweet, crisp scent of blooming magnolias.In truth, little Leo was doing just fine.I had placed him with a humble, kind-hearted couple who couldn't have children of their own. I knew they would treat him well.I arranged regular stipend payments and check-ins, keeping his daily life strictly under my watchful eye.He was still young. His bad habits and toxic behaviors could still be corrected with proper guidance.However, I couldn't bring myself to give him a life of luxury or lavish him with my personal love, not after what my true son endured for five long years.I wasn't a saint. I had my own biases.Ensuring he grew up with food on the table and a roof over his head was the final act of kindness I could offer.I took a deep breath, feeling the heavy suffocation that had weighed on my chest for years finally vanish.All those nights spent compr

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