Since I took over Hooper Group, the company has flourished as though it had been injected with fresh blood. Contracts rolled in, new partnerships formed, and profits soared. But I didn’t care about any of that. My only focus was Cliff’s company.
Kelley knocked on the door, bringing a stack of official documents. Lately, she had become my indispensable right hand. I trusted her completely.
“Vivian, there’s a business seminar tonight. Many key partners will be attending. I know you’re not fond of such events, but it’s a great opportunity to network,” she said, holding an invitation letter.”
I hadn’t planned to go, but when I learned Curtis Enterprise would be represented, I changed my mind. It was the perfect chance to get closer.
–
That evening, I arrived in a long black gown elegant, composed, powerful. The Mikimoto diamond necklace resting on my collarbone drew every eye in the room. Wealthy businessmen came forward to toast me, and I responded with a polite smile, keeping my distance.
I soon noticed several familiar figures deliberately turning their backs the moment I walked in a gesture too obvious to ignore. My interest was piqued.
I approached them slowly with a glass of wine in hand and said with a soft smile, “I don’t believe I know your names. Shall we share a drink?”
“Uh… no thanks,” one of them murmured.”
Icircled around to face them fully – and finally saw their faces. As I expected, they were the same young heirs who had abused me in the mental hospital.”
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” My voice rose just enough to draw the attention of nearby guests. “You’re so quiet. Didn’t expect to see me here?”
They coughed and fidgeted, trying to act composed. But I saw through it. I remembered every face, every cry I made, every moment they chose cruelty over humanity.”
sat on a leather sofa nearby, crossed my legs, and fixed my eyes on them like a predator sizing up prey. The crowd went silent. The pressure in the room, shifted.”
“We’re all old acquaintances,” I said with a smirk. “No need to be shy. Let’s talk business. I’ll have this drink.” I raised my glass and downed it, eyes never leaving theirs.”
Sweat dotted their brows, hands trembled
they were terrified.
Later that night, I instructed Kelley to start investigating each of their companies.
“Another round of investment promotion is coming. Don’t worry, those companies won’t have an easy time,” she said confidently, holding a list of targets.
“Good. You know what I want,” I replied with a smile.
—
I leaned in closer. “One more thing I need you to look into something for me.“”
Two days later, Kelley returned with confirmation. As expected, those young men had been sent by Ginger.
Under my direction, their companies‘ stocks plummeted. I laughed out loud. This was only the beginning. Hooper Group was thriving. Now, no one dared to help them. Their bankruptcy was only a matter of time.”
I was interrupted by a call from lan. I answered quickly
left, worried she might be mistreated by Ginger.”
–
it was about Lindsey. I had asked him to report on her daily ever since I
“Lindsey’s fine. But Cliff had a major falling out with Ginger recently – he even moved out,” lan said.
“That’s good.” But before he could hang up, I asked, “What exactly happened after I was sent to the mental hospital?”
lan hesitated, then replied, “It was strange. Right after you were admitted, Ginger moved in. Mr. Curtis seemed to have expected it – he’d already made arrangements.”
“I see.” I ended the call. lan might be confused, but I already had a suspicion and now it was time to confirm it.”
I called Kelley back in and laid out my plan. She listened carefully, nodding before I even finished.N
“Don’t worry, Vivian. Even if I weren’t doing this for you, I’d do it for myself,” she said, her eyes firm with purpose.
Her words hinted at her own history with Ginger, but I didn’t press. If she wanted to tell me, she would – in her own time.
Soon after the seminar, Curtis Enterprise’s business department finally reached out for collaboration. The moment I had been waiting for had arrived. I deliberately kept them on hold, prioritizing other partners, letting their desperation build.
Two days later, Kelley returned with documents in hand and a victorious gleam in her eye.§
“It took effort, but I found it all. You were right hospital report.
It was Ginger’s abortion report
read it again. And again.”
–
–
Cliff and Ginger were involved before your divorce,” she said, handing me a
dated the same day as Lindsey’s birthday party. As I read it, my hands froze. My pupils dilated. I
Kelley stepped closer, about to speak, but stopped when she saw my face. I stood, leaned close, and whispered a single sentence,
3:52 PM
S
Her eyes widened – and then we both laughed.\
“You should be able to get the rest of the evidence now,” I said, patting her shoulder.
“Leave it to me.”
A few days later, I finally moved forward with the Curtis Enterprise cooperation. To show sincerity, Cliff came personally. After the recent scandal, Cliff’s performance had plummeted. They saw Hooper Group as a lifeline.”
Cliff presented all the documents carefully. I reviewed them briefly, then signed. His team was ecstatic. I simply smiled. After they left, I made a quiet call to Kelley.”
“It’s time.”
“Understood. You’ll be satisfied,” she replied, then anonymously dialed the biggest entertainment outlet in Cleveland.“]
Exactly two hours later, headlines blazed across every platform:”
[Affair, Betrayal, and Conspiracy: Mistress and Lover Drive Out the Wife and Kill the Marriage]
The evidence was airtight – hotel records, restaurant bills, pregnancy test results. The child was Cliff’s. They couldn’t deny it. “Well done, Kelley,” I said, calling her again. “You know what to do next.”
“Already ahead of you. Now sit back and enjoy the fallout.”
The story went viral. Ginger became the target of nationwide cyberbullying. Curtis Enterprise’s stock nosedived, evaporating millions in market value. The cooperation agreement signed just two hours ago turned into a liability. I ordered our legal team to initiate initiate the compensation clause.”
Cliff had believed this partnership would be his lifeline. But the scandal hit like a sledgehammer – and with every detail exposed, he had no defense.
–
Dozens of calls flooded in from Ginger, his board, the Hooper Group’s lawyers.
Overwhelmed and defeated, Cliff collapsed, the phone slipping from his hands.
And on the other end of the line, Ginger – frantic, ignored, unraveling – had no idea this was only the beginning.”
