Chapter 3

Javier raised an eyebrow. "You are such a smart woman."

I had guessed correctly. Javier had sent me the anonymous email!

It couldn't have been a coincidence for him to send it just before my wedding anniversary.

Did he know all along that I held the core patent?

I pondered for a long moment, and Javier broke the awkward silence. "How do you feel now after you learned Erik cheated on you?"

He watched me with interest and was indifferent to my current mood.

Under the table, my hands clenched tightly, but I maintained a calm exterior. "I'm grateful. So I am very grateful for your email."

I meant it. That email saved me just in time.

Without it, I might still be lost in Erik's web of illusions.

I took out the prepared patent transfer agreement from my briefcase.

Javier glanced over it disinterestedly, but his gaze sharpened as he noticed the patent number and transfer statement.

His previously nonchalant demeanor shifted as he quickly reviewed all the terms. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and asked, "Are you sure?"

He looked at me intently. "This is your foundation. "

I nodded.

This patent had once been the culmination of my hard work and emotions. I had intended to gift it to Erik. But it was the most ironic thing now.

I wanted to cut ties with Erik completely. So using it to destroy his career seemed like achieving two goals at once.

A gleam flashed in Javier's eyes. "I'll accept it. But the price you're asking is too low. I'll give you thirty percent more."

I looked at Javier in surprise. "That's much higher than the patent's valuation."

As I spoke, my phone received a notification of the transaction.

He said with a faint smile, "I appreciate a decisive ally."

Was it my imagination? His gaze felt a bit intense when it was on me.

I nodded to him and then was about to leave.

Just as I stood up, he stopped me. "As a gift from me for our partnership, here's some news for you."

I paused.

Javier leaned slightly forward and lowered his voice. "Mia has a fiancé. They've been engaged for a year."

My heart sank at that unexpected revelation.

Javier seemed pleased with my reaction and slid a note towards me. "This is her fiancé's contact information. By the way, he's a vice president at one of my tech companies. His name is Kieran Dawson. He is outstanding and...rather particular, especially when it comes to deceit."

Kieran?

I was stunned. I had heard of a young executive in the industry known for his strict adherence to rules. So, it was him.

"Are you sure about your news?" I asked.

"Absolutely." Javier leaned back in his chair. "How you use it is up to you."

Leaving the café, I immediately called Kieran. A slightly aloof male voice answered the phone. "Who's that?"

I briefly explained my identity and my purpose. Kieran was silent for a short moment on the phone.

"Miss Morgan." Kieran's voice sounded emotionless. "It's hard to believe such dramatic accusations based on your word."

I understood his caution.

Without solid evidence, I couldn't convince him easily.

I added him as a contact and sent over most of the evidence I'd gathered, including the video of Erik and Mia having sex.

The chat window remained silent for a long time.

I feared he might confront Mia and Erik immediately, which would be too easy on them.

I wanted to ruin Erik when he and she were at their most triumphant.

Only then would they truly suffer!

The chat remained quiet for even longer.

I could imagine him verifying the facts.

I messaged Kieran. "Mr. Dowson, keep your cool. I understand how you feel. But confronting them now would be too lenient for them. Would you consider working with me?"

Kieran replied almost immediately. "What do you have in mind?"

I typed with a smile. "In three days, it's my wedding anniversary with Erik. Erik will formally take over the Hayes Group on the same day. Mia will attend as the host, likely overshadowing me. Mr. Dawson, my suggestion is, since they love flaunting their romance publicly, why don't we help them make it truly memorable?"

Kieran seemed intrigued. "Okay. I will work with you."

I smirked and began discussing the details and precautions for the banquet with him.

A plan to expose the true nature of Erik and Mia in front of everyone gradually took shape.

I couldn't wait for the banquet.

After ending my conversation with Kieran, I reviewed the evidence chain again. Then I crafted it into a visually compelling electronic document. I would share it with every attendee at the gathering.

Once I finished everything, Erik finally called me. "Noreen, have you revised the speech for the banquet? Send it to me now. I don't want to embarrass myself with a slip of the tongue."

I looked at his message with derision. Didn't he want to embarrass himself?

He'd truly embarrass him in three days.

Suppressing my cold anger, I replied calmly, "I'll send the script to you this afternoon. I've arranged a little twist for the interactive part. You'll see."

Erik seemed pleased. He said with a laugh, "You're always so considerate. Let's celebrate together after the banquet."

If I hadn't discovered Erik's true face, I might still think he was the perfect husband.

I replied noncommittally and hung up.

Erik seemed smug about his arrangements for the anniversary banquet. He even posted in the industry chat group. "Doreen and I have been married for three years, and we are still in deep love. I look forward to sharing this celebration with her."

I commented below. "I won't let you down."

Three days later, at the anniversary banquet, the venue was filled with elegantly dressed guests.

I arrived early and spotted Mia among the crowd.

She wore a striking white fitted gown with a small white veil, mingling with guests as the host. She occasionally whispered to Erik with undisguised intimacy.

And Erik responded to her patiently. Anyone unaware might think they were the main attraction.

I grabbed the microphone and strode onto the stage.

As Erik looked at me in confusion, I smiled and said, "Everyone, thank you for joining us for our third wedding anniversary. I have a special gift for you."

As my words fell, everyone's phones received a file. It was about the infidelity records of Erik and Mia.

I continued, "On this special day, besides celebrating our love, I thought it fitting to share an extraordinary story of romance."

As the file name appeared, Erik's expression turned dark instantly. He realized something and rushed to the stage, trying to stop me. "Doreen, are you out of your mind? Do you know how important it is to me today?"

Listening to his questioning, I smirked.

Of course, I knew it.

That was precisely why I gave him this gift!

Simultaneously, the large screen behind me lit up.

The screen should have played our cherished moments. But it displayed the intimate video of Erik and Mia.

Their faces were unmistakably clear on the screen, and everyone in the room could see them clearly.

Erik's face drained of color, and Mia's cue card fell to the floor as she turned pale.

Instantly, the room fell into a dead silence.

Only the intimate sounds echoed from the screen...