Chapter 3

I looked down at the black pen in my hand.

With both hands, I snapped the pen cleanly in half.

One half of the pen clattered onto the tiled floor with a sharp sound.

I lifted my head and met Ethan's eyes.

"This agreement has multiple legal flaws. My attorney, Stella, needs to review it personally. I'm not signing it today."

Donna shrieked and lunged forward, grabbing for my collar.

"You little bitch, still trying to play tricks? You really don't know what's good for you! If you don't sign that paper today, I'll tear your face apart!"

Her long nails slashed toward my neck.

I twisted sideways, caught her arm, and shoved her away with force.

Donna stumbled and crashed down onto the floor.

She slapped her thigh and burst into exaggerated wails. "Help! She's assaulting me! The Whitmore family's precious daughter is beating people! There's no justice in this world. She's bullying a helpless mother and daughter!"

The veins on Ethan's forehead bulged.

He lunged forward, grabbed my throat, and slammed me against the wall.

My back hit the hard wall, the impact making me wince.

His grip tightened as his voice turned vicious. "Nora, you really won't give up until you hit the wall, will you? Do you still think you're that untouchable rich girl you used to be?"

My airway was compressed, and the lack of oxygen made my face flush red.

I didn't struggle. I simply stared straight into his eyes.

Through clenched teeth, I forced out the words. "Besides using violence to hide your guilt, what else can you do?"

Ethan glanced at the red marks forming on my neck and suddenly released his grip.

He stepped back, staring at his own hands as a flicker of regret crossed his face.

He took a few deep breaths, clearly trying to soften his tone.

"Nora, fine. I was wrong. How about this. That three-hundred-square-meter penthouse downtown. I'll transfer it to your name tomorrow as compensation. Just sign the agreement and we can part on good terms. Stop making things difficult between us."

I straightened my wrinkled collar and coldly brushed away his hand when he tried to touch me again.

I turned, walked to the door, and stepped out of the room.

The hospital corridor smelled strongly of disinfectant.

I took out my phone and quickly called Stella.

"Stella, have you gathered the full evidence chain for the financial irregularities on Ethan's side?"

Stella's voice came through the phone. "Everything is ready. But to launch the final liquidation procedure, we must obtain the personal seal from the safe in Ethan's desk. Without it, everything we've done so far will be useless. Can you get it?"

"Alright. I understand. I'll find a way."

I ended the call.

I left the hospital and took a taxi straight to Carrington Tower.

At two in the afternoon, I pushed open the door to my private office.

The room was completely empty. My office supplies, documents, even the sofa, were all gone.

Miles was directing a few workers as they carried several potted plants.

He turned around and looked at me with smug satisfaction.

"Oh? Ms. Whitmore, what brings you back? Mr. Carrington has already ordered this office to be fully renovated with non-toxic materials. It's being prepared for Ms. Langley while she waits to give birth."

He stepped in front of me, blocking the way. "Ms. Whitmore, all that useless stuff of yours has already been thrown into the trash. There's no place for you here anymore. You'd better go home and pack up."

Looking at his smug face, I lifted my foot.

The pointed tip of my high heel slammed straight into his shin.

Miles cried out in pain and crouched down, clutching his leg.

"Move."

I walked past him and headed straight for the CEO's office at the end of the corridor.

I pushed the door open. Ethan was leaning back in his leather office chair.

When he saw me walk in, a smug glint flashed in his eyes.

He held a jade personal seal in his hand, casually rolling it between his fingers.

"What is it? Changed your mind? Come back to beg me?"

I stared at the seal in his hand. "Lend me that seal for half an hour. I need to stamp a few documents."

Ethan stood up and walked to the desk, bracing both hands against the surface.

"You can borrow it. There's a charity gala tonight. You'll attend with me and play the part of a loving couple. Behave properly in front of those executives and clean up the embarrassment you caused today. If you make me look good tonight, you can take it for half an hour."