I checked into a hotel in the city center.

Not long after I finished showering, the room phone rang.

I picked it up, and on the other end came Mrs. Smith’s sharp, cutting voice.

“Nicole, you’ve really grown bold, haven’t you? How dare you embarrass my son at the engagement banquet! What do you think you are? You’re nothing but an illegitimate daughter who can’t even be brought into the light. If it weren’t for our Leo, you wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying shoes for the Smiths!

“Let me tell you this. If you don’t come over and kneel to apologize by tomorrow morning, then the Morgans can just wait to disappear from Sunnyvale!”

I listened quietly as she finished venting, and then I let out a soft, indifferent “Oh”.

“Mrs. Smith, are you done?

“If you’re done, I’m hanging up. I still need to put on a face mask.”

After saying that, I hung up without waiting for her response.

Listening to the busy tone on the line, I could easily imagine Mrs. Smith’s furious expression.

In my previous life, I had given up all my own preferences just to please her. I learned tea ceremonies, flower arranging, and even the traditional opera she liked, reshaping myself into exactly the kind of person she wanted.

However, she had never once looked at me properly.

In her eyes, no matter how high my education was or how capable I became, I could never wash away the label of being an “illegitimate daughter”.

The only reason she agreed to my marriage to Leo was because she valued my ability to help him manage the company. I was also “obedient” enough not to threaten her son.

With a face mask on, I picked up my phone and began sorting through all the assets that had been entangled between Leo and me over the years.

For the charity fund we co-founded, I didn’t hesitate to apply for liquidation and withdrawal.

As for the original shares of his company under my name, I listed them at the lowest possible price, preparing to sell them off.

After finishing all of that, I felt a sense of relief wash over my entire body.

Early the next morning, there was a knock on the door.

I thought it was room service, but when I opened it, I saw Sophie’s delicate, pitiful face instead.

She was wearing a white dress, her eyes red as if she had cried all night.

“Nicole…” The moment she spoke, her voice trembled with tears. “What exactly happened between you and Leo? He’s been going crazy looking for you all night yesterday.”

“Is it because of me? If it is, then I… I can go explain things to him. I won’t see him ever again!”

As she spoke, tears fell down her cheeks, as though she were willing to sacrifice herself for our sake.

With acting skills like hers, it would be a waste if she didn’t win an award.

In my previous life, she had used this exact expression in front of me for over a decade.

Every time something happened, she would take all the blame onto herself, making herself seem innocent and kind, while making me look like a jealous, unreasonable woman.

Leaning against the doorframe, I looked at her leisurely.

“It’s not because of you.”

Sophie froze for a moment, clearly not expecting that answer.

I smiled and continued, “I just suddenly figured it out that forced love never ends well. The one Leo loves is you. If I keep clinging on, there’s no point. I might as well let go and give you my blessing.

“Sophie, I wish you both happiness.”

My tone was sincere, and my gaze steady.

Sophie was completely stunned.

Not a single line she had prepared could be used.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with confusion and scrutiny, as if trying to determine whether I was speaking sarcastically.

“Nicole, you… shouldn’t say that. Leo and I are just friends—”

“Whether you’re just friends or not, you know that in your heart,” I cut her off. “Don’t come looking for me again. I don’t want anything to do with either of you.”

I closed the door, shutting her shocked expression outside.

Not long after, my phone received a new message from Leo.

“Nicole, what exactly are you trying to do? What nonsense did you tell Sophie?

“I’m warning you. Don’t drag her into this. What’s between us has nothing to do with her.”

Looking at the words “what’s between us”, I found it extremely ironic.

When had there ever been an “us”?

From the start, there had only ever been him and Sophie, the one he held closest to his heart.

So I blocked them both, and at last, my world was quiet.

I didn’t stay at the hotel for long. Very soon, I rented an apartment for the time being and settled in.

That day, while I was at home going through an investment report, I received an unexpected call from Leo’s assistant, Gavin Sinclair.

“Ms. Morgan,” Gavin said politely, “Mr. Smith has an urgent meeting, but the analysis report for the Westside project can’t be found. You were the one following up on that project before. Do you happen to know where the report is?”

The Westside project.

Of course I remembered it.

In my previous life, that project had been a major turning point in Leo’s career, but it had also hidden a massive pitfall.

Back then, I had pulled three all-nighters, going through countless materials before finally uncovering that hidden risk, which helped him avoid it perfectly and earn a huge profit.

It was also after this that his position in the company truly became secure.

Holding my phone, I fell silent for a few seconds.

“I don’t remember,” I said calmly. “I have nothing to do with Mr. Smith anymore. You don’t need to ask me about his company’s matters again.”

On the other end, Gavin seemed to choke on his words.

“But Ms. Morgan, this project is very important. Mr. Smith, he—”

“That’s his problem,” I cut him off directly. “I’m busy. Goodbye.”

After hanging up, I looked out the window, my mood completely undisturbed.

I was no longer that Nicole who would come whenever called and leave whenever dismissed.

Whatever happened to Leo had nothing to do with me anymore.

In the afternoon, I went out with a friend to shop and have afternoon tea, and I posted a selfie on my social media.

In the photo, I was smiling brightly, with delicate desserts and warm sunlight in the background.

Not long after, a mutual friend commented, [Oh? Back together with Mr. Smith? Not heartbroken anymore?]

Someone quickly replied below, [No way. Didn’t you see the news? Mr. Smith accompanied that beauty, Sophie Miller, to the hospital today. I heard she fainted from exhaustion. He looked incredibly anxious, even carried her into the ER himself.]

There was even a clear candid photo attached.

In it, Leo was holding a pale-faced Sophie in his arms, rushing into the hospital with a look of panic and concern I had never once seen on his face in all thirteen years.

I gave the photo a like, then closed my phone.

That night, when I returned to my apartment, a familiar car was parked downstairs.

Leo was leaning against the car door, smoking, with cigarette butts scattered all over the ground near his feet.

When he saw me, he stubbed out the cigarette and walked over in a few quick steps, carrying the heavy scent of smoke mixed with hospital disinfectant.

“Where did you hide the materials for the Westside project?” he asked bluntly, his tone unfriendly.

“I told you I don’t remember.”

“Nicole!” he barked, his eyes bloodshot, looking agitated. “Don’t play this game with me! You know how important that project is to me. Are you really going to use this kind of method to get back at me?”

I looked at him and found it almost amusing.

“Get back at you? Leo, aren’t you thinking too highly of yourself?”

“I just don’t want to deal with your mess anymore.”

His expression instantly turned extremely ugly.

“Is this because I went to the hospital with Sophie?”

As if convinced that was the reason, he continued explaining on his own. “Her health has always been bad. She’s been like that since she was young. She fainted at the company today, so of course I had to take her to the hospital!

“Nicole, can you stop being so unreasonable?!”

Unreasonable.

In my previous life, I had been “reasonable” for crying alone until dawn while he celebrated Sophie’s birthday.

As I signed my mother’s surgery consent form alone, he accompanied Sophie overseas to relax.

In the end, I guess I had been “reasonable” enough to die in that car accident.

I took a deep breath, then looked at him and said each word clearly.

“Leo, if her health is bad, that’s something her parents should worry about. If she faints, you should call an ambulance, not carry her there for show.

“And let me say this one last time. We’re over. From now on, your matters and hers have nothing to do with me.

“If you keep harassing me, I’ll call the police.”

After saying that, I turned and walked toward the building.

However, my wrist was grabbed again, even tighter than before.

“Nicole, do you really have to be like this?”

For the first time, his voice carried an emotion I couldn’t quite understand. It sounded like frustration, or perhaps something else.

“Isn’t what you want just for me to lower my head?”

“Fine.” He stared into my eyes as he spoke slowly, “Give me the materials, and I’ll apologize to you.

“I’m sorry for not coming after you, for being with Sophie.”

I looked at him.

This was the first time in thirteen years that I had heard the words “I’m sorry” from his mouth.

In the past, it was something I had longed for.

But now, it just made me sick.

“Your apology isn’t worth a thing.”

I shook off his hand and walked into the apartment building without looking back.

I didn’t go back home. Instead, I went straight to another property.

It was a small apartment I had bought with my own money, so neither Leo nor the Morgans knew about it.

I needed an absolutely quiet environment to plan my next steps.

The next day, I received a call from my father. His voice sounded both exhausted and furious.

“Nicole, what exactly did you do to Leo? Several of our ongoing partnerships fell through overnight! Every single one of them said Mr. Smith had intervened!

“Go beg him right now! Otherwise, our whole family will be left with nothing!”

I listened to his shouting on the other end, yet my heart remained completely unmoved.

Leo had used this trick in my previous life as well.

Every time I was “disobedient”, he would use my father’s company to pressure me.

And my father would always, without fail, shift all that pressure onto me.

“That’s your company, not mine,” I replied coldly. “Figure it out yourself.”

“You!” My father was so angry that he couldn’t speak. “I’m your father!”

“You only remember you’re my father when you need me to sacrifice for your company.”

After saying that, I hung up and blocked his number as well.

Not long after, a message came in from an unknown number.

“Nicole, don’t push me.”

It was Leo.

“Come meet me at the usual place. This is your last chance.”

The usual place was a high-end private club near his company. It was the same place where, in my previous life, I had lowered my head countless times, apologizing and begging for his forgiveness.

He thought that by using the same method, he could make me submit like before.

I looked at the message and smiled.

Then I replied with two words.

“I’m coming.”

At seven in the evening, I arrived at the private room of the club right on time.

Pushing the door open, I saw Leo sitting on the sofa, his posture arrogant. When I walked in, he didn’t even bother to lift his eyes.

Sophie was sitting beside him.

When she saw me, she immediately put on a worried and helpless expression, calling out softly, “Nicole…”

Only then did Leo raise his eyes to look coldly at me.

“Do you know what you did wrong now?”

I ignored him and walked straight over to sit across from him. Then I took a USB drive out of my bag and placed it on the table.

“This is what you wanted.”

Leo raised an eyebrow, seemingly a little surprised that I would be so sensible.

He picked up the USB drive, a trace of a victor’s disdain flashing through his eyes.

“If you had done this earlier, none of this would have gotten so ugly.”

Sophie also spoke at the right moment, playing the role of the peacemaker. “Nicole, don’t argue with Leo anymore. He’s only doing this for the company. You two should make up.”

I watched the two of them play off each other, and it felt like I was watching a poorly acted play.

“Leo,” I said slowly, “the USB drive doesn’t just contain the Westside project materials. There’s also a gift for you.”

Leo frowned, clearly not understanding what I meant.

I smiled. “You’d better take a look now. Otherwise, I’m afraid by tomorrow morning, you’ll be on the front page of the financial news.”

My tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable certainty.

Leo stared at me for a few seconds, a hint of doubt flashing through his eyes.

In the end, he still picked up the USB drive and plugged it into the laptop beside him.

He first opened the folder for the Westside project and quickly skimmed through it. After confirming everything was in order, his expression eased slightly.

Then, he noticed another file.

The file name was: “A Gift for Mr. Smith”.

He hesitated for a moment, but still clicked on it.

Inside was an extremely detailed short-selling report, and the target was his company.

The report carried out a devastating analysis from multiple angles—financial loopholes in recent years, irregular operations, as well as the hidden risks in several core projects.

It even included a complete plan capable of crashing his company’s stock price within three days.

The level of professionalism and precision in this report far surpassed that of any top investment bank.

In my previous life, I had personally created it as a risk contingency plan to help him fend off external threats.

And in this world, no one understood the fatal weaknesses of his company better than I did.

Leo’s expression shifted from initial disdain to confusion, then shock, and finally to a bone-deep pallor.

Then, the hand holding the mouse began to tremble.