"Mr. Weiss finally showed some backbone today."

"About time. You have no idea—Ms. Galloway and Ryan are practically living together in her office. They don't even hide it."

"The humiliation that man has swallowed... Anyone else would have snapped by now."

The whispers faded as I stepped into the elevator. I checked my phone. A call from the villa.

"Mr. Weiss, please come home immediately."

Aunt Jade's voice trembled.

"A woman forced her way in—Mrs. Delgado. She had a key. Brought a whole group of relatives, declaring this is her house now." A stifled sob. "They threw me out, sir. Your mother came to visit, but that woman was so vile, Mrs. Weiss left in a rage."

The elevator pinged open. Another call overrode the first.

My mother.

"David Weiss!" Her voice cracked like a whip. "Is this the dignity you promised me? That woman you married is flaunting her kept man, and now his trashy family has taken over your home? Divorce Mila. Immediately. I would rather see you alone forever than tethered to that disgrace."

Cold fire spread through my chest. I hung up and marched toward the garage, intent on clearing the vermin personally.

My parking spot was empty.

I stared at the vacant slab. A vein pulsed in my temple.

"Pull the surveillance," I ordered security.

The footage confirmed it. Ryan's smug face filled the screen as he unlocked my car and drove off, laughing.

I turned to the guard. "Call the police. Grand theft auto."

He blinked. "But... sir, Ms. Galloway gave him the keys..."

I rested a hand on his shoulder. "Report the theft, or pack your things. Decide now."

He scrambled for his phone.

I signaled my assistant. "Take me to the penthouse."

In the backseat, I pulled up the live feed from the villa. My jaw clenched.

Josephine Delgado was parading through my living room wearing my mother's vintage silk nightgown. Barking orders at the staff. When a maid hesitated, Josephine kicked her.

"What are you staring at? Do your job, you wretches!" Josephine screeched, reclining on my leather sofa. "I am the mistress of this house now."

I dialed the precinct directly.

"Yes, I'd like to report a break-in and trespassing."

Ryan was already in a holding cell. Only right to send his mother to join him. A family should stick together.

I tapped my earpiece. "Monitor the situation. Itemize everything that woman touched, ate, or wore. I want full compensation for every item."

"Understood, Mr. Weiss."

"Not a penny less."

I retreated to my downtown penthouse, a sanctuary Mila rarely bothered to visit. I shed my jacket, loosened my tie, and poured a glass of whiskey.

Two sips in, the front door slammed open.

Mila stormed in, eyes blazing. She grabbed a crystal vase from the console table and hurled it at me.

I sidestepped. The crystal shattered against the wall.

"David Weiss, are you fucking insane?" she shrieked. "Why did you call the police on Ryan and his mother? They didn't steal anything! How dare you have them arrested?"

Her voice was shrill. She looked deranged—hair wild, face flushed with misplaced righteousness.

I swirled the whiskey, watching the liquid catch the light.

I didn't even look at her.

"The car and the house are titled in my name. Your 'guests' took the vehicle and occupied the property without my consent. In the eyes of the law, that makes them thieves." I paused, letting the words settle. "Oh, and I sent you the divorce agreement. Don't forget to sign it."

Mila's face went mottled crimson. Fueled by humiliation, she lunged at me, hand raised to strike.

I didn't flinch. My grip caught her wrist mid-swing, locking it in place.

"I used to love you," I said, my voice dropping low. "That love was the only reason I tolerated your tantrums for seven years. But that love is dead. I will not allow you to disrespect me again."

"Listen to yourself, David." She sneered, struggling uselessly. "I don't need your help anymore. Galloway is mine. I can kick you to the curb and bury you so deep you'll never crawl out."

Her eyes went manic. "One last chance. Go to the police station right now, kneel down, and apologize. Tell them it was a misunderstanding. Clear the Delgados' record."

She yanked her hand free, rubbing her reddened wrist.

I didn't argue. I pulled out my phone and dialed my assistant, holding her gaze.

"No settlements. No compromises," I ordered. "Maximum sentence. Let them rot."

That night, Mila messaged every shareholder. Her agenda was clear: strip me of all power.

The next morning, I walked into the conference room. Ryan was already there, seated at the head of the table beside Mila.

He glared at me, eyes burning with malice and smug satisfaction. Clearly, she'd pulled significant strings to fish him out so quickly.

"Don't bother sitting," Mila said coldly. "That chair no longer belongs to you."

"So this is how it ends?" I asked. "Discarding the tool once the job is done?"

"Glad you understand."

She turned to address the room. "Effective immediately, Ryan Delgado will assume the role of Vice President. David Weiss is relieved of all duties. From this moment on, he is nothing to this company."

Shock rippled through the shareholders. They exchanged uneasy glances, then looked at me.

I ignored the tension, walked past the stunned board, and sank into my usual chair.

Ryan slammed the table and shot to his feet. "David Weiss! Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what Ms. Galloway said?"

He sneered. "The company's surname is Galloway, not Weiss. You're just a glorified employee. Who gave you the right to act like you own the place?"

I retrieved my lighter, flicking the lid open and shut. I smiled at him—a cold, predatory expression that made him twitch.

"What the hell are you laughing at?" Ryan barked, his bravado cracking. "You're a nobody now! Get out, or I'll have security throw you out."

I ignored the barking dog and focused on its owner.

"Mila." My voice softened. "Are you truly expelling me from the company for him?"

She didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Her chin lifted. "Our marriage was a business transaction. You resolved the crisis, but I've built my own influence now. I won't sacrifice my happiness for gratitude anymore."

Sacrifice? She thought marrying me—letting me save her legacy with my capital and labor while she treated me like dirt—was her sacrifice?

Almost impressive.

Slap.

She threw a document onto the table. "You wanted a divorce? I've already signed it. The company is mine. You were just staff. As for assets, I'm generous—ten million dollars. Take it and leave."

I flipped the folder open. Ten million. For an empire worth billions.

A dark laugh escaped. "Mila Galloway. Since you've decided to be heartless, don't expect me to show you any mercy."

"Mercy?" She scoffed. "I don't need your mercy. Just like back then—you were the one who insisted on this marriage. You were the one playing savior. I never asked you for a thing."

Ryan smirked, drunk on his own bravado. "Did you hear me? Get the hell out."

I didn't bother looking at him. Instead of standing, I pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a slow drag.

Mila's expression turned glacial.

"Ryan. Call security. Throw him out."

"With pleasure."

Moments later, security stormed in.

"Grab David and toss him out like a stray dog," Ryan barked. "And if he struggles? Break his legs."

He crossed his arms, posturing like a general. "Go!"

The guards surged forward—

—and surrounded Ryan.

A heavy boot slammed into his stomach before he could react. He crumpled, gasping, kicked across the polished floor.

Thud.

Mila shot to her feet. "What are you doing? I said throw David out!"

I clapped slowly. "They didn't make a mistake. They're disposing of the only dog in the room."

"What are you talking about?"

"This building might still say 'Galloway' on the sign." I exhaled smoke, finally meeting her eyes. "But ownership? That's been mine for years."