I was the first to fall in love with Melanie. I had loved her for twenty years. Even though it hurt, I was still willing to give her a chance.

But now, it was crystal clear that it had always been one-sided. Her heart and her eyes were filled with Hector and his kids.

Melanie didn't turn down the divorce because she couldn't stand to leave me. She declined because she couldn't bear giving up her golden goose.

Seeing that my words had taken a sharp turn, Melanie's face darkened.

Melanie gritted her teeth, and finally, she played her trump card.

"Zachary, if you go through with this divorce, I'll take half of everything. You can forget about taking the company public."

Melanie had figured everything out perfectly. She knew how much the company meant to me. It was like my own child, something I had poured my heart and soul into, and I had spent three long years preparing for its IPO. She was betting that I wouldn't be able to let it go, betting that I couldn't let her go. She thought I would give in.

But what she didn't know was that I had more than one child, and not just the company.

I had countless others.

Seeing the shift in my expression, Melanie softened her tone again, like she always did when she wanted something from me.

"Zach, you know I love you. Or else, why would I leave the kids behind and stay with you for twenty years? I just made a mistake. It doesn't mean I don't love you anymore."

She kept going, weaving her words like a silk thread, trying to make it all sound so reasonable.

"You always said that when we got older, we'd leave the company behind and travel together. We'd see the rivers and mountains of our homeland. Now we have heirs. They can help you manage the business. They carry my blood, and their character is strong. Better them than some outsider."

If I hadn't noticed the glances she kept throwing at the kids and the silent signals between them, I might have believed her for a moment. But I saw right through it.

The calculation in her eyes, how she was using her love to manipulate me, and now, how she was using her children to control the situation.

But that brief flash of calculation in all three of their eyes?

That wasn't something they could hide.

From the moment she proposed the child-free marriage all those years ago, she had been planning for this day, waiting for me to grow older and lose my ability to have children.

Then she'd pressure me, lure me in, bring in her boy toy, and those illegitimate kids to slowly take everything I'd built.

They had been mocking me behind my back for years, calling me a stupid, love-blind fool, doomed to die alone.

I didn't say anything as they left, all high spirits and smiles.

Her social media showcased a parade of happiness: the joyful 'family of three' on a shopping trip, Hector's victorious return at the airport, accompanied by 999 roses.

For three days straight, Melanie didn't come home.

I knew she was holed up at The Lakeside Mansion, completely lost in her bliss.

Every day, she messaged me to remind me to transfer the company shares—always ending with a kissy-face emoji.

[Honey, Hector just got back, everything's still new for him. Once I get things sorted, I'll come back to you. Love you! -xxx]

I watched coldly as she bought Hector a luxury car and an expensive watch. I saw him smugly post peace signs on social media.

The caption read:

[Twenty years of storms. Finally, we can embrace each other in the open.]

Scum like him aren't just manipulative. They're good at hiding it.

After twenty-two years, Hector didn't have to pretend anymore.

And so, I calmly liked his post.

That one small gesture was enough to convince them I'd given in.

The twins are taking over the company? That was a done deal in their minds.

After all, if I divorced her, I would lose my money, our marriage, and everything else. It might be better to stay and try to earn some affection.

Besides, I was already in my fifties. What good was more money if I had no one to inherit it?

Melanie had already begun reaching out to reporters, scouting locations, and organizing a press conference.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, my secretary, came to pick me up, carrying a thick stack of documents.

Then, Melanie smiled and gave me her final reminder.

"Be careful with the IPO process. Once it succeeds, the market value will jump by a billion. Then Archie and Noelle will have a much easier time taking over."

Charlotte replied with a smile, "Yes, having family to rely on definitely makes things easier, especially blood relatives."

Melanie didn't catch the edge in Charlotte's tone. She thought I'd already told her everything.

Charlotte Monroe had been with me since she graduated from college. She wasn't just my secretary; she was also my personal assistant.

Now in her late thirties, Charlotte had never been married. There were always rumors flying around the office about us, but we kept things professional—nothing more.

The moment I stepped out of the office, I looked at her calmly and asked, "How many so far?"

"Twenty-eight confirmed," she replied without missing a beat. "A few more just submitted their paperwork, and some came straight to us with their info. I'm handling it."

I gave a thoughtful nod.

"Hm, good. Please make sure they are all fed and housed. When the time's right, bring them all over."

...

In the following days, I remained at the office, reviewing the accounts to ensure everything was prepared for the company's future.

When I finally returned home, the first thing I noticed was the empty fish tank.

Laughter and chatter drifted from the kitchen. Wearing an apron, Hector stepped out with a big smile on his face, holding a dish of fish.

On the plate was my koi, Lilo, valued at twenty million dollars.

Our eyes met. I'd seen his face in photos before.

I knew it was Hector.

I glanced over at the two kids, lounging on the sofa with their legs up, glued to their phones.

And then, from the kitchen, Melanie's cheerful voice floated in, "Hector, come here to the kitchen!"

My rage hit me like a flood. "Who told you to cook my fish? You don't take what isn't yours. Don't you understand that basic principle?"

From the kitchen, Melanie called again, "Hector, come taste this soup. Does it need more salt?"

The two kids immediately jumped up, both defensive.

Noelle retorted, "What are you trying to say? What do you mean, stealing?"

"Exactly," Archie chimed in. "This is Mom's house, which makes it ours too. Everything here belongs to us now. What's the big deal about eating a fish?"

I let out a disdainful laugh.

"That koi, Lilo, was something I bought at an auction for $20 million. And you're asking me what the big deal is?"

The girl still didn't seem to get it.

She let out a gleeful "Wow! A $20 million fish? Quick, take a picture! I can show it off to my friends. Let's see them try to upstage me now."

Melanie peeked out from the kitchen.

When she saw me, a flicker of guilt flashed across her face.

"Zach, you're back! You hadn't been home for days, so I invited them over for a meal…"

I sneered. "So, Melanie, you ate my koi, Lilo? You knew what it was worth."

She faltered, mumbling, "Zach, Hector didn't do it on purpose. The kids wanted braised fish, and we didn't have any at home. By the time I realized, the fish was already cleaned. What were we supposed to do? Waste it? It's not like we were feeding strangers."

Staring at the empty tank, a sharp ache hit my chest. I had cared for that fish for five years, investing at least $200,000 each month.

Now, suddenly, it was gone, dismissed with a casual 'it was already cleaned.'

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my cool. "He can pay for the fish or get out. Or else, I'm calling the police."

Archie sprang to his feet. "Old man, who are you telling to get out? Call the cops? Try it—I'll break your legs."

Then, Noelle stepped forward, glaring at me.

"You'd better show some respect to my dad. He's our birth father. If this is how you're going to act, don't expect any of us to care for you when you're old!"

I looked up at them, and sure enough, they were just as shameless as Hector.

Hector stood between them, raising an eyebrow with a smug grin, like an aging street thug.

I didn't want to waste any more time on them.

I turned to Melanie and said, "Melanie, you and I need to talk."

I walked over and sat on the sofa. Melanie glanced at Hector and her twins, and then hesitantly sat across from me.

The four of them looked like they were holding a tribunal. Archie and Noelle glared at me with malice. Meanwhile, Hector wore a smug, indifferent expression.

And so, I got straight to the point.

"Melanie, send them abroad right away. I can give them $10 million for living expenses, or we can settle this at the police station today."

The moment I finished speaking, Hector slammed his hand on the table, clearly enraged.

"$10 million? You think we're beggars? Gregory Corp. is worth at least a billion, even before it goes public. After the IPO, it'll be worth even more. We've got a dozen cars, five properties, and you want to send us off with just ten million?"

I turned my gaze toward Melanie.

So, she had already handed over all of my assets to Hector?

And this was what she called an accident?

The twins lit up at the mention of a billion.

"A billion? Mom, that means Sis and I are billionaires!"

"Awesome! When we get the money, the first thing I'm buying is a private jet. I'll fly around the world and find myself a celebrity boyfriend."

Watching them get all excited like that was enough to set my teeth on edge.

I spoke slowly, trying to maintain control. "Melanie, you understand that this is my money, right? If I feel like it, I could donate every cent. I could even drive the company into bankruptcy. I've got no wife, no kids, and nothing left to lose."

Before Melanie could say a word, Archie suddenly lunged at me and threw a punch straight into my face.

"You old bastard! Say that again! You're actually thinking of donating our money. What are we supposed to eat and drink without any money? You wanna ruin us? I'll break your damn legs first!"

Then, he kicked me hard in the leg.

Melanie rushed over, grabbing Archie by the arm.

"You little punk! Speak properly. That's your Uncle Zach. How can you raise your hand against him?"

Smirking, Hector finally chimed in, "Zach, you're older than me. Why are you so hot-tempered? Melanie gave you twenty years of her life. Even if she were just a hooker, you didn't pay her for the service. Not to mention, she gave you warmth and family."

"So what if she had a kid?" Hector continued, "Is that really worth turning your back on them? Letting a mother and her two kids starve on the street?"

Now, even Melanie's face darkened with anger.

"Zachary, I never thought you'd be so heartless! I don't care about the money, but how can you be so cruel to Archie and Noelle? They're my children, which means they are yours too!"

"Oh?" I looked at her coldly.

Then I finally said, "Melanie, are you seriously saying I shouldn't be upset that you cheated on me, and I should just graciously accept your kids as my own? Then what if I had kids out there? Would you be just as gracious and accept them as yours?"

Unbothered, Melanie scoffed, "Of course, if you had children out there, bring them home. Let them inherit the company alongside Archie and Noelle. I'm not as petty and selfish as you."

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

I was over fifty now. My health wasn't exactly excellent. My liver had taken a beating from years of stress and drinking.

Even if I wanted kids, it wasn't possible anymore.

But Melanie was sure I would never have children, and since she said it so confidently, I wasn't going to hold back either.

I turned and smiled, dialed Charlotte's number, and said, "Ms. Monroe, bring the children over."