I glared at Marco and let out a cold, humorless laugh.

"Are you sure you want to replace me?"

"I'm sure. And Isabella, don't try to guilt-trip me with our six years. When the love is gone, it's gone. The one I love now is Ava. Not only is she younger and sexier, but her networking skills make you what you are—a useless figurehead. You're holding me back, Isabella!"

Listening to his shameless speech, a bitter, angry laugh escaped me.

I’d heard the stories—power corrupts, success changes a man—but to see it unfold before my very eyes was still a staggering blow.

I could still hear the words of that kid from the streets, the one who held me with adoring eyes and promised me a lifetime. In the blink of an eye, that boy had vanished, replaced by a shameless snake.

My laughter seemed to needle him, his expression souring.

"What's so funny? Am I wrong? In two years, I took over half of Brooklyn. And what did you do? As the 'lady' of the club? You can't even cook a decent meal. Ava is the kind of woman a man like me needs."

"So, consider yourself out, Isabella. We're through. Get the hell off my turf and get your shit out of my apartment. Now."

I expected a wave of sadness, a crushing ache in my chest after being so cruelly discarded by the man I once loved.

But now, all I felt was a searing regret for my own blindness. For wasting my love—and my family's vast resources—on an ungrateful viper.

"Out? Through? Heh, Marco, you'd better not live to regret this."

I gritted my teeth, my gaze fixed coldly on his still-handsome face as I uttered the words calmly.

"Oh, who do you think you're threatening, Isabella? You really think he can't live without you?"

"Don't worry, Marco has me. His empire will only get bigger, and his life will be even happier!" Ava cackled, nestled in Marco's arms like a venomous bloom, as the crowd of sycophants and opportunists chimed in.

"That's right! Ava brought in huge clients for the club this past year. She's earned her place here!"

"Exactly! What did she contribute while she was off in Italy? She should've been kicked out long ago!"

"Ava and Marco are a perfect match. Some people just don't know when to quit, coming back here just to be humiliated!"

My disappointed gaze fell on Leo, the head of security, a man I had personally trained.

"Leo, if I hadn't spent countless nights training you, you'd still be brawling in some back alley for scraps, wouldn't you?"

To my surprise, he felt no guilt. He just sneered back at me.

"So what? I earned my place. Get it through your head: Marco sent you away because he was sick of you. Ava's the boss's lady now. I'm just playing it smart."

I then looked at Sal, the man who ran his books, whose family I had single-handedly saved from loan sharks.

Even Sal looked at me with cold disdain.

"Isabella, look, you helped me once, I admit it. But I work for Marco. I have to look out for my own future, and that's with him and Ava. Sorry."

Seeing that no one in the room would stand with me, Marco looked at me smugly.

"How much longer are you going to stand there and embarrass yourself?"

That smug look on his face—the look of a small man who thinks he's won—was all it took to set my fury ablaze.

I vividly remembered how humbly he had held my hand when he was pursuing me.

"Bella, I know I'm from the streets. I don't have much. All I ask is a chance to love you. Even if you stop loving me one day, I'll be forever grateful that you once did."

He even promised that if we ever broke up, he'd still treat me like family, that he'd always be my safe harbor.

Now, all that was left was the ugly sneer on his face.

I bit my lip, a sharp ache of sorrow piercing my heart as I looked at him.

"Marco, six years of love, and you throw it away just like that. Fine. But be honest with yourself, just for a second. Did you really build this place alone? Would any of this be yours without me?"

For a moment, his expression softened, but it was quickly replaced by impatience as he planted his hands on his hips.

"What do you want, then? A payoff? Fine. For the six years, a hundred grand. Is that enough?"

With that, he yanked a thick stack of cash from his suit pocket and flung it at my face.

"Take it! And get out of here, so you don't run around telling everyone I'm a heartless bastard who used you for six years!"

The bills fluttered down my face and scattered at my feet. Ava sauntered over, crossing her arms with a mocking smile.

"What are you waiting for? Pick it up. That's a hundred grand. You could keep yourself in boy toys for two years with that!"

Immediately, the crowd of leeches erupted in laughter.

"That's right! She's been a leech for six years. A hundred grand is more than she deserves!"

"Look at her, acting all high and mighty. I bet she's itching to get on her knees and scoop it all up!"

"Hey! Marco's done with you, you have no business being here! Get the hell out!"

My eyes swept across the room. Dozens of faces, most of whom I had personally helped at one point or another.

But now, not a single one would speak up for me. A profound sense of betrayal washed over me.

Marco wrapped his arm around Ava, watching coldly as the mob insulted and mocked me.

"Alright, Isabella, I know you've got your pride, but what are you going to live on without me? Just take the money. It'll cover you for a few years."

I stared at his face, a cold smile forming on my lips, and kicked the cash towards his feet.

"A hundred grand? That wouldn't even cover one of my handbags. You keep it. It might pay for your whores for a couple of years."

My words made his face darken with fury.

"You—Isabella! I never knew you had a mouth like a sewer! I'm with Ava now, fine, but I never cheated on you. The thought is disgusting!"

"Hmm, maybe you should ask your precious Ava. Weren't those her words? I guess... she would know."

Marco's head snapped toward Ava, his eyes blazing. Her lip quivered as she stammered pitifully.

"I... I was just running my mouth..."

Her pity party ended in a flash. Her expression hardened as her glare fixed on me.

"Isabella, you bitch! What are you trying to do, turn him against me? If you don't get lost, believe me, I'll have someone throw you out!"

I leaned closer, my face inches from hers.

"Go ahead. I dare you."