Holly basked in the flattery of the people around her, her chin practically tilted to the sky.

"Miss Hawking, if I were you, I’d just drink the champagne obediently. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time explaining yourself when you go back," she sneered.

I looked at her coldly, my tone neutral.

"Holly, I’m warning you one last time. Don’t. Push. My. Limits."

"The Mr. Woods you keep talking about only achieved his current status because of me."

"The truth behind it all isn’t something you people would ever understand."

I said this hoping the so-called business elites around me would back off. Holly’s provocation wasn’t my main concern anymore. Rather, I needed to find out who was truly behind this setup.

If my husband was involved, then things would get very interesting.

Three years ago, the Woods Family was nothing more than a third-class company. They were on the edge of bankruptcy. That was when James’ father, Benedict Woods, approached me.

His first words were that I had to marry into the Woods Family. The man also claimed it was a childhood marriage arranged by my father before his death. Since I had always been filial and to honor my father’s last wish, I reluctantly agreed.

On the surface, I was just James’ wife. But in reality, the only reason the Woods Family had risen to power was because of my efforts behind the scenes.

Yet now, it seemed certain people thought they had outgrown me. They were ready to discard me and take all the credit for themselves.

Holly glanced around smugly and scoffed as she said, "You all heard her, right? This little white flower actually thinks the Woods Family succeeded because of her."

"It’s laughable! The Woods Family is now one of the top four families in San Diego and you? You’re just nothing but a useless housewife."

"Honestly, if it weren’t for you, the Woods Family might have climbed even higher. They may even broke into the Los Angeles elite."

Hearing those words, everything clicked.

This dinner wasn’t just a casual business meeting. As I had predicted, it was a setup. Even these so-called business elites were likely handpicked actors, all orchestrated to corner me into divorcing James.

Whoever was behind this surely had influence.

Despite their relentless provocation, I had held back. After all, these were well-known figures in the business world and I didn’t want to make a scene. Nevertheless, patience had its limits.

"Enough!" I shouted as I stood abruptly, my sharp gaze sweeping across the room.

"This deal is off. You all have two choices. Walk away now, or stay and make yourselves my enemies."

"And I don’t show mercy to my enemies."

Laughter erupted from the table.

"Did you hear that? This little bitch thinks she can order us around!"

"Eleanor, do you really think you're someone important?"

"Everyone here is worth over a hundred million. What can you possibly do to fight us?"

I slowly turned my head, my anger simmering beneath the surface.

"You must have heard the saying. There is always someone stronger out there."

"I suggest you think carefully before making a choice. Because once you do, there will be no turning back."

Holly’s expression twisted with disdain.

"What did you say? You think we’re afraid of you?"

"Miss Hawking, don’t you ever forget that you’re only standing here because you’re Mr. Woods’s wife!"

"Not that it matters much longer. Haven’t you heard? Mr. Woods is going to divorce you soon!"

After hearing Holly's words, the CEOs in the room visibly relaxed. Their mockery of me grew even bolder. But that wasn’t my concern anymore.

I scanned their smug, laughing faces, feeling an unexpected pang of disappointment. Was this really San Diego’s so-called business elite? All of this… just because I refused to drink?

How disgusting!

I didn’t care if they called me nothing but a trophy wife or just useless woman. Such words meant nothing to me. But what truly stung was the realization that I couldn’t even control the people within my own company.

Was this the price of staying too low-key?

Thanks to my special status, I had spent years at home. I rarely appeared in public. Even when I overheard company employees gossiping about me, I always laughed it off. I always believed that it wasn’t worth my time. But now, I saw the consequence of my indifference.

My silence had emboldened them. Holly mistook my quietness for fear. She pushed a tray of wine glasses toward me, smirking.

"Eleanor, here are ten glasses of wine. Drink them all, so you can leave."

"We’ll forget everything that happened tonight and you can go back to being a pretty trophy wife."

"But if you refuse to drink…"

The secretary then tapped her nails against the glass, eyes gleaming with malice.

"Then I’m afraid you won’t be leaving this room."

I suppressed my anger and met her gaze, my voice icy as I said in turn, "Holly, are you really looking for death? Or have you conveniently forgotten that I’m allergic to alcohol?"

Holly scoffed, tilting her head at me with a mocking grin.

"It’s just a few glasses. It won’t kill you."

"Anyway, the champagne is right here. It’s up to you whether you drink it or not."

Her arrogance made me laugh. Even James’ father wouldn’t dare speak to me like this. And yet, here was Holly. She was nothing but a mere secretary who acted as if she held all the power.

It only made me more curious about the person backing her.

"Miss Green, I don’t see the point in wasting my breath on you," I said coldly.

"Tell your boss to come out. What’s the use of hiding in the shadows?"

"Or is he too much of a coward to face me?"

As soon as the words left my lips, the door swung open.

A woman, about my age, strolled in.

"Miss Hawking, it seems you’re not as stupid as everyone says."

"Regina King?!" Holly gasped.

The entire room fell silent.

The once-arrogant business elites scrambled to their feet, bowing their heads in respect to the young heiress that were well-known from Los Angeles.

"Ah, I see," was my response.

After that, I said, "So, you’re the one behind Miss Green’s little display."

Regina King slid into the seat across from me. Her posture was poised. That woman looked very self-assured.

"You guessed right," she said smoothly.

"I am indeed Holly’s boss."

"My name is Regina King, but you may call me Miss King like everyone else does."

"If the Woods Family wants to expand into Los Angeles, they’ll need my support."

Her voice carried an air of arrogance, though it was more refined than Holly’s.

I barely spared her a glance before looking away.

"Miss King, I assume you’re here because of my husband."

Regina nodded, giving me a look of mock sympathy.

"Miss Hawking, from what I understand, you've been married into the Woods Family for three years. Yet you probably haven’t even held James’s hand," she said, sighing dramatically.

"What a shame."

Then, the corners of her lips curved into a smirk.

"But after today, your husband will belong to the King family."

I expected to feel something. Anger, betrayal, or resentment. Instead, I only felt relief.

I let out a soft laugh.

"So, that’s what this is about."

"Now I understand."

I leaned back in my chair, utterly indifferent.

"If Miss King wants my husband so badly, you’re free to have him as your husband."

Regina’s expression flickered with surprise. She hadn’t expected me to be this calm. And that, more than anything, meant I had already won.

"Isn't Miss Hawking angry at all?" Regina asked, almost tauntingly, tilting her head as if expecting me to break.

I simply waved my hand, smiling.

"What's there to be angry about?"

"In fact, I should thank Mr. Oswald. If not for his interference, I wouldn’t have known how to sever ties with the Woods Family."

"But let me remind you, Miss King. Whoever offends me never meets a good end."

Regina clearly hadn’t expected me to be more arrogant than her. Her face darkened with anger. With a flick of her wrist, she turned to Holly.

"Holly, what are you waiting for? Do it!"

The words had barely left her lips when Holly grabbed a champagne bottle from the table and smashed it against my head. Pain exploded in my skull and before I could react, I collapsed to the floor.

Holly, eager to please her master, wasted no time. She lunged at me, fists and feet flying, kicking me over and over again. By the time she stepped back, my body ached all over, my vision slightly blurred from the impact.

"That’s enough. Don’t kill her."

Regina walked over and crouched beside me, smirking.

"Listen, you fucking bitch! Consider this a lesson."

Her fingers lifted my chin roughly as she said, "Stay out of my way, or I’ll deal with you personally next time."

I forced myself to sit up, staring her straight in the eye, my voice unwavering.

"It’s just the King family of Los Angeles. Nothing special."

The moment the words left my lips, Regina’s expression twisted into pure rage.

"How dare you!"

She snatched up a chair, raising it high, ready to bring it down on me.

But before she could strike …

Bang!

The door swung open with force.

All heads turned toward the entrance.

"Mr. Woods, why are you here?!" one of the businessmen blurted out in shock.