"Fine. Divorce."

I cut her off flatly, my expression unchanged.

"But when your company hits a wall, I hope you can keep that same energy about keeping business and personal life separate."

Lesley was practically doubled over laughing. He pulled Vivian close and planted an exaggerated kiss on her forehead.

"Vivian, Ethan's joke is hilarious," he said. "Without him, your company is only going to thrive. What could possibly go wrong?"

Vivian joined in, her laugh sharp and mocking.

"He's never had any self-awareness. The guy can't even face clients anymore," she sneered. "Not like you—ever since you walked into the company, you've brought in one big project after another."

A wave of disappointment washed over me. I reached into the drawer, pulled out the divorce papers I'd prepared long ago, and tossed them onto the desk.

"Then let's sign. Right now."

"You're actually divorcing me?"

Vivian's eyes went wide at the sight of the papers. A derisive laugh escaped her.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

She shot me a smug look, then grabbed a pen and signed.

"Ethan, there's still a thirty-day cooling-off period. If you come crawling back, I might just forgive you."

She turned, linked arms with Lesley, and walked out.

I took the signed divorce papers straight to the courthouse.

To sell the story that my company really had gone under, I decided to play along and check out the address on that flyer.

By nightfall, I was standing in a room full of male models, facing a woman with a sharp waist and an even sharper attitude.

"I'll buy your company for twenty thousand—but you spend the night with me. If I'm satisfied, I'll sign," she said.

I let out a bitter, disbelieving laugh.

Even if Vivian's company went bankrupt tomorrow, it still took me three years to build. It was worth over ten million.

And now she wanted me to sell it for twenty grand—and pay for the privilege?

The insult stung.

I snorted and turned to leave, but Lesley shoved the door open and blocked my path.

"Ethan, how's that deal going? Can't even close a twenty-thousand-dollar sale? Pathetic."

My eyes went cold.

"Does Vivian know you're here?" I asked quietly.

Lesley's eyes gleamed with malice as he shoved me hard.

"Still hiding behind Vivian's name? Keep dreaming."

"She knows, of course," he sneered. "That twenty thousand? That's her valuation. She even suggested we use you as bait to get a better price for the company."

He waved his hand arrogantly. Behind him, his bodyguards moved in and pinned me down. All of this—the muscle, the attitude—was bankrolled by Vivian's money. His audacity had a price tag.

"I'm here to make sure you sign," Lesley growled.

The bodyguards forced my hand toward the papers. I glared at him, fighting with everything I had.

He frowned, stepped closer, and grabbed my chin hard.

"Refuse to sign? Then don't plan on leaving this room."

I met his threat with a cold laugh.

"You're nothing but a lapdog Vivian keeps. How dare you speak to me like this?"

"Ethan, you son of a bitch—"

His hand tightened around my throat, and he slapped me across the face.

"Strip him! Let Lisa inspect the merchandise first," he barked.

The bodyguards tore at my clothes. When I fought back, they kicked me in the stomach—again and again. Pain exploded through my body. I coughed up blood, a wet, rattling sound.

Lesley planted his foot on my back and pressed down harder.

"Ethan, your body's not worth much. Ms. Moore says ten grand—so that's the price for your company. Sign now, or you'll regret it."

Everything blurred. My hands shook as I fumbled for the pen. Gritting my teeth, I muttered, "I'll sign..."

After I signed, Lesley forced me to hand over the company seal and stamped it without even glancing at the papers.

He patted my cheek smugly. "That's more like it."

I shivered, playing the part of someone completely terrified.

But in a darkened corner where no one could see, I couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.

That was Vivian's company seal.

It wasn't long before Vivian pushed the door open.

Lesley rushed over excitedly, eager to show off.

"Vivian, Ethan couldn't close the deal with the client, but I handled it without breaking a sweat. You have to reward me—don't make me work for free like him!"

"Excellent! Here's your reward!"

Vivian rose on her toes and locked lips with Lesley in a passionate kiss right there in front of everyone.

Then she turned her gaze toward me—naked, beaten, coughing up blood. Her eyes were filled with contempt.

"Completely useless. Make that ten thousand last—it should cover you for the rest of your life."

I suddenly looked up at her and smiled.

Vivian hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by how calmly I accepted it, then let out an awkward snort.

"Consider yourself lucky. Turn in your resignation tomorrow. You're no longer fit to run the project department."

She wanted to cut off every escape route, to leave me with nothing.

"Fine."

Hearing me agree so quickly, a flicker of something almost like reluctance crossed her face.

"You finally show some sense. You won't find decent work now anyway. Don't worry—as long as you behave, I'll keep supporting you."

I wiped the blood from my lips, lowering my eyes to hide the cold fury burning beneath.

"Fine. I'll behave."

Of course, I'd behave. Behave while I watched her sink into bankruptcy and lose everything.

I staggered, nearly falling. Vivian rushed to steady me.

I pushed her away without a word.

She froze, that brief hesitation hardening into anger.

"Ethan, you haven't changed at all. I won't pity you. Even if you came crawling, I wouldn't care."

I put my hand on the door handle without looking back.

"Remember what you said today. Because I'll do the same."

Behind me, Vivian watched me leave, confusion flickering across her face.

The next day, she threw an extravagant banquet at a five-star hotel to celebrate—and, of course, made sure I was invited.

"Did you hear? Some rich woman offered a fortune, and the guy rushed over to save his company."

"No wonder Vivian's celebrating Ethan going under—but the idiot didn't even get the full amount. The investor bought his company for just ten grand."

"Honestly, even the rich woman got ripped off—he wasn't worth ten thousand."

Laughter and mockery rippled through the crowd. Vivian and Lesley exchanged smug, triumphant glances in my direction.

I walked in under their watchful eyes, offering polite smiles as I greeted the room.

Then I stepped aside for the auditors and police following close behind.

"During the bankruptcy audit this morning, major discrepancies were found in the company's accounts. I submitted my resignation this morning, so maybe Vivian can explain all this to everyone herself."

Gasps filled the room. All eyes turned to Vivian.

She froze, then let out a derisive laugh.

"You've lost your mind," she said, striding toward me with mockery plastered across her face.

"Is this your last-ditch effort to frame Lane Corporation? Instead of wasting time, why don't you get on your knees and beg me to put in a good word for you? Might keep you out of prison."

I handed her the bankruptcy declaration and company ledgers with a cold smirk.

"We'll see who ends up on their knees. Go ahead."

Vivian took the documents, her expression smug—until the next second, when her face went rigid.

A police officer's voice cut through the room:

"Following the bankruptcy of Lane Corporation, the company owes over one hundred million in bank loans and is suspected of tax evasion. These facts have been confirmed. The legal representative, Vivian Lane, will..."

Her face went pale. She stood frozen.

"Lane Corporation? Vivian? What's going on?"