Chapter 3

The moment I hit send on the resignation email, my phone vibrated like crazy.

Arthur Thompson's name flashed, over and over again.

I watched silently, not answering.

I ordered takeout, the spiciest chili bowl I could find.

The chili oil burned my throat, bringing tears to my eyes, and my stomach felt like it was on fire.

Good.

Using one pain to cover another.

Until the phone stopped ringing, replaced by a flurry of messages.

"Olivia, where are you? Let's talk."

"Listen to me, things aren't what you think."

"I know I messed up. Please come back? I can't live without you."

I looked at his hypocritical messages and laughed.

Arthur Thompson, aren't you tired of acting after three years?

I blocked all his contact information.

Finally, complete peace.

But the peace lasted less than half a day.

The next morning, public opinion began to turn.

Under the post that had exposed Arthur Thompson, the tone shifted dramatically.

"Is the OP Olivia Hayes? I heard she's always been a bit unstable."

"Yeah, she broke down crying in the office once because of project pressure, everyone in the company knows."

"Director Thompson is such a good person. For her to push him to this point, she must be having a delusion and fabricating evidence for revenge, right?"

It seemed Arthur Thompson had begun his counterattack.

He was using the most malicious methods, slandering me, trying to portray me as a lunatic.

Just then, Arthur Thompson's mother, Mrs. Thompson, also came looking for me.

I opened the door.

When she saw me, a hint of disdain flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by a pained expression.

"Olivia, my dear, why are you so naughty?"

I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Mrs. Thompson, can I help you?"

She was choked by my coldness, then raised her voice.

"Look at what you've done! Arthur's future is ruined by you! You've shamed our family!"

I scoffed softly.

"His future was ruined by his own hands, in bed. Your family's reputation was tarnished by him."

"You!" She trembled with anger, pointing a finger at my nose. "You unruly woman! How has Arthur ever wronged you? He bought you a house, a car, what more do you want?!"

"I paid the down payment for the house myself, and I chose the car myself," I said, looking at her indifferently. "Mrs. Thompson, this is a legal society, not your private playground."

Her face paled, as if a raw nerve had been touched, then she sneered.

"Fine, fine, a legal society indeed!"

She pulled a lawyer's letter from her Hermès handbag.

"Olivia Hayes, you publicly spread rumors online, maliciously defaming Arthur. That constitutes libel! I advise you to delete everything immediately and issue a public apology, otherwise, we'll see you in court!"

So, this was her real purpose.

I took the flimsy paper, didn't even look at it, and tore it in half.

Then dropped it on the floor.

Mrs. Thompson's eyes widened instantly.

"You... you're crazy!"

"I am crazy," I looked at her. "Driven crazy by your hypocritical family."

I turned and walked back inside, grabbing my phone.

Right in front of her, I pressed play.

Arthur Thompson's voice came through clearly, with a hint of impatient condescension.

"...Olivia, you must sign this prenuptial agreement."

"Why are my pre-marital assets considered joint property, while yours remain solely yours?"

That was my own voice, tinged with a tremor and confusion.

"Because I'm a man, and my career needs protection. What little you have, what's that even worth?"

"The house can be in your name, but you must waive ownership in the agreement, only having residency rights. Any children must take my surname. And, if we divorce, you cannot claim any shares of my company..."

The recording echoed in the living room, every word a slap in Mrs. Thompson's face.

Her complexion turned from flushed to ashen.

"You... you recorded it!"

"Yes," I turned off my phone, meeting her shocked gaze. "I had to keep a backup plan, didn't I?"

"After all, Director Thompson's even his proposal was meticulously calculated."

Mrs. Thompson staggered back a step, unable to utter another word, and fled in disarray.