Chapter 5
On the day the plane took off, I wasn’t on the flight to the UK.
Instead, I left the airport dressed as the stand in bride.
I even passed Ethan, but he didn’t notice me.
I went to Hudson Corporation.
I struck a deal with its CEO, Daniel Hudson:
I would provide Ford’s secrets, and he would help me take down Ford Enterprises.
Of course, how far we went–whether it was just a warning or total destruction–depended on the quality of the information I provided and how the plan unfolded.
The results were better than expected.
Daniel and I were both pleased–in just three months, Ethan was left reeling.
Over half of Ford’s key employees had been poached by Hudson.
Many of them had worked for my father, so Daniel made me a general manager.
I didn’t want to be in the spotlight, so Daniel gave me an office with one–way glass.
I could see everyone, but they couldn’t see me.
They started calling me “the Witch” behind my back.
Gradually, my days were filled with work.
My hatred fueled me–I wanted to destroy Ethan, to make him feel the pain my father had felt when his company collapsed.
The once broken, suicidal Emily was gone, replaced by a woman driven by vengeance.
Sometimes, I felt Daniel watching me.
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But when I looked up, his gaze would shift.
As Ford Enterprises teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, Hudson began buying up Ford’s core assets and patents at rock bottom prices.
An hour before Ford announced its cash flow crisis, Ethan showed up at Hudson’s office, begging Daniel to back off.
Daniel shrugged.
“Mr. Ford, the takeover wasn’t my idea.”
“I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Ethan’s eyes flickered: “Then… who is she? Can I meet her?”
Daniel glanced toward my office.
“She doesn’t want to see you. I’m sorry, Mr. Ford. Maybe we’ll cross paths again someday.”
Ethan looked defeated, but not over Ford’s impending collapse.
It was the fact that the mastermind behind it all refused to see him.
After Ethan left, Daniel came into my office.
“Emily, I heard you and Ethan are still married.”
“His bankruptcy won’t do you any good.”
I smirked: “Then we’ll both suffer. If I’m going to hell, I’m taking him with me.”
The tension finally got to me, and I fainted.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital.
Daniel was standing by the window, lost in thought.
Seeing me awake, he said gently.
“The doctor said you’ve been under too much stress. You need to relax, stop pushing yourself so
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hard.”
He handed me a file.
“Take a look at this when you’re feeling better.”
“It might change your perspective on some things.”
Just as I was about to open the file, the hospital room door creaked open.
Ethan stood there, unshaven, his eyes bloodshot.
“Emily, it’s really you! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
He rushed forward, trying to hug me.
I raised my arm to block him.
“Keep your distance, Ethan. I’ve already filed for divorce.”
The joy on his face faded, replaced by bitterness.
“You’re right. I’m not good enough for you anymore.”
“I can’t give you the life you deserve.”
I had almost forgotten–I had just seen the news of his bankruptcy on my phone.
“Yes, soon creditors will be chasing you all over the city. I hope you can handle it.”
I continued coldly: “And you’re dirty. You and Olivia belong together.”
Ethan didn’t get angry. Instead, he smiled faintly.
“It’s good to see you like this, Emily.”
“You’re not the broken little bird anymore. You’ve become a feisty little hedgehog.”
His words brought back painful memories, and my expression turned icy.
“If you have nothing else to say, you can leave.”
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He clenched his jaw, struggling to speak.
“Emily, I know you hate me. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you.”
“I came here to apologize. I was wrong, and I made you suffer.”
With that, he seemed to relax, as if a weight had been lifted.
He turned and opened the door, adding.
“I’ll sign the divorce papers and send them to you. Emily, I wish you happiness.”
The door closed softly behind him, and for some reason, my heart ached.
It felt empty, sour.
I had been so determined to destroy him, but seeing him like this… why did it hurt?
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