Gradually, I fell for his sincerity and pure heart.

He would always blush, shyly saying he only wanted to treat me well.

And so, we dated, married, and had a child.

Knowing his strong pride, I quietly supported him from behind the scenes.

With my help, he revived the nearly bankrupt Hendricks Group and became the richest man in the province.

But after his rise, he hardly ever came home.

When I asked him to spend more time with our child, the man who once vowed never to look down on ordinary people now stared at me with disdain and said, “What would a housewife like you know? A man’s job is to make money. I don’t have time to waste on you two. Without me working outside, would you and our son live such a comfortable life?”

His change slowly drained my hope.

Yet, I still felt some gratitude.

He was the one who gave me good genes, allowing me to bear such a bright and remarkable son.

All I ever wanted was to be there for my child, to raise him into a fine young man.

So, I tolerated and compromised on everything.

I never imagined that enduring so much would only lead him to secretly get his secretary pregnant.

And even worse, that betrayal would cause our son’s death.

Our son’s passing severed every tie I had to this family.

It wiped away every trace of love I once held for Soren.

Lost in my thoughts, I carried our son’s urn into the Hendricks Group Tower.

Inside, the business elite and noble families of the provincial capital gathered, all for Hendricks Group’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Soren stood tall among them, dressed in a sharp suit, proud and elegant.

Beside him, Leigh clung to his arm, delicate in a designer dress.

I walked in expressionless, and as I approached, I caught Leigh pouting, speaking with fake sorrow.

“Brother Soren, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault your wife wants a divorce.”

Soren playfully tapped her nose, his voice soft as if afraid to break her fragile spirit.

“Silly girl. I’m rich, and Melissa loves me like her life depends on it. How could she ever think of divorcing me? She’s just throwing a tantrum. Ignore her.”

His eyes then locked onto me. The warmth in his gaze vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, biting coldness.

“Melissa, didn’t I tell you today was Hendricks Group’s 30th anniversary celebration, and you had to bring our son?!”

“And yet, here you are all alone.”

The moment I appeared, the elites gathered around began to sneer, their voices dripping with mockery.

“So this is Mrs. Hendricks? She looks like a country bumpkin, completely unpresentable.”

“Just a housewife who stays home with the kids. No wonder she can’t compare to us business elites.”

“No surprise President Hendricks favors Secretary Leigh. Look at her, so shabby, so out of place. She’s no match for him.”

Their cruel laughter made Leigh’s lips curl into a satisfied smile.

In the next breath, she blinked back tears and fixed me with a sorrowful gaze.

“Sister Melissa, it’s my fault for getting pregnant and causing this rift between you and Soren.”

“If you truly hate me, just scold me a little. But please don’t refuse to bring Young Master Hendricks here and don’t dress like you’re mourning a death.”

“You knew today was Hendricks Group’s grand celebration, filled with the elite. Aren’t you deliberately trying to disgrace the family and make Soren look bad?”

Leigh’s fake humility and feigned concern sparked a flicker of approval in Soren’s eyes.

The socialites and elites nearby admired her with subtle nods of approval.

But I met her gaze with icy calm and said it plainly, without a hint of indifference.

“If you like playing the mistress, that’s your own choice.”

“But don’t you dare mention my son. You’re not worthy.”

The banquet hall fell into a stunned silence.

Moments later, Soren’s face darkened like storm clouds. “Melissa, watch your tone!”

“My tone?” I scoffed, voice cold as ice. “You mean the title of Mrs. Hendricks?”

“Well, honestly, I don’t care.”

Soren’s glare sharpened his anger, brewing like thunder. “Not care?”

“If you didn’t care, then why did you secretly siphon my money to prop up your father, letting a nobody flaunt a Rolls-Royce?”

“If you had even a shred of backbone, you wouldn’t sneak around doing dirty favors for your maiden family!”

Because I feared my background might weigh on Soren’s pride, I had once begged my father to keep a low profile.

However, due to a single slip of my father's, Soren now believed that my family lived off his money.

I met Soren’s gaze with a faint, knowing smile and said softly, “Soren, you really underestimated me.”

His mother shot me a sharp, disdainful glance and snapped, “I think you’re the one who’s overestimating yourself!”

“If it weren’t for your lucky marriage into the Hendricks family, how could you have lived as a rich wife all these years?”

“Since you’ve enjoyed the Hendricks family’s blessings, just be a good housewife and stop acting so ungrateful and shameful!”

Upon hearing those words, the rest of the guests couldn’t resist joining in.

“Exactly! That housewife is far too ungrateful. Soren is the richest man in the province, so many women would kill to be in her shoes!”

“If I were Mrs. Hendricks, I wouldn’t even mind my husband bringing other women home. I’d serve them all!”

“When you marry into wealth, you should know your place. Don’t overestimate yourself.”

“As expected, the more useless the woman, the bigger the attitude. Look at her, poor as dirt, no influence, always stirring up trouble!”

Amid the cruel laughter, Soren’s eyes bore into me with disdain.

“I know you’re just jealous of Leigh.”

“But she’s my secretary, from a good family, sharp and capable. Without her steady support, the Hendricks family wouldn’t have grown so fast.”

“And you? All you’ve done is raise a child. And now you can’t even manage that properly. What could you possibly compare to her?”

The claim that the Hendricks family’s success was all thanks to Leigh made me laugh quietly to myself.

If it hadn’t been for me quietly funneling resources into the company and shielding it from ruthless rivals, the Hendricks Group would have been swallowed whole long ago, nothing left but ashes and bones.

Leigh gave a demure smile before turning to Soren and speaking in a soft voice.

“Brother Soren, you once said Melissa was excellent at raising Caius. But it seems he’s clever all because of your remarkable genes.”

“He’s on track to become a top student at the University of Vermont and will someday inherit the Hendricks legacy. Honestly, I worry that Melissa’s temper and nature might have a harmful influence on him...”

At her words, Soren’s brow furrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.

He looked at me, his voice like ice. “Melissa, I was originally going to let you raise Leigh’s child, as thanks for how well you raised Caius.”

“But look at how you've spoiled him. Out all night, ignoring calls today.”

“If you want to be reckless, that’s your choice. But don’t drag down the Hendricks family’s heir. I invited all these business elites today to help him build connections, to pave his way.”

“My son, my son, must be someone admired. Respected.”

As I watched Soren speak with such righteous conviction, like some noble father, a sharp pain twisted in my chest.

I said softly, “Stop pretending to be a good father.”

“If you truly cared for your son, you wouldn’t have left him stranded on the way to his college entrance exam, just because of a single call from Leigh, on a day when the rain poured like the sky was breaking!”

The image of my obedient, understanding boy facing such a cruel moment, alone and drenched, wrenched my heart painfully.

Soren’s anger flared, his voice sharp and biting. “So what if I didn’t drop him off at the exam site? Are you really going to make a mountain out of a molehill?”

“With that petty, nagging attitude, you’re not fit to be a mother, much less worthy of being Mrs. Hendricks!”

“You want a divorce? Fine. Bring our son here, and I’ll sign it right now!”

His voice thundered, barely containing his fury.

At that, Aubrey Hendricks, his mother, quickly jumped in, “Soren, this should’ve happened long ago.”

“Melissa was nothing but a low-born woman, clueless about the world. She could never measure up to the Hendricks name.”

“People from different worlds were never meant to be together. If my precious grandson kept following her, he’d be dragged down and never learn the grace demanded by high society.”

The other Hendricks family members joined the chorus, their voices sharp and angry. “Bring out our young master at once! Don’t let her rotten presence spoil such a bright future!”

As the entire family united to push me out, Leigh smiled with triumph, her eyes glinting with a victorious challenge, daring me to fight back.

The business elites and wealthy families present all joined in, applauding Soren for his wise choice. They sneered that I was unworthy, had married far above my station, lacked gratitude, and only brought disgrace to the prestigious Hendricks name.

I studied their self-righteous, twisted faces and let out a bitter laugh.

So Soren cheating, keeping a mistress, and fathering an illegitimate child was perfectly justified.

Meanwhile, I, innocent and wronged, became the target of scorn from these so-called nobles.

What a cruel joke.

I drew in a steady breath, fixed Soren with a sharp gaze, and spoke in a deliberate, calm tone.

“I brought our son.”

Soren’s eyes swept the room, his brow furrowing. “Where is he?”

The rest of the Hendricks family glanced around, confusion flickering as they searched for the boy.

Aubrey even put on her reading glasses, squinting as she scanned the hall. “Where’s my precious grandson?”

I reached into my bag, pulled out the urn, and slammed it down on the main table.

“He’s right here!”