Chapter 3

Before I could even say a word, two bodyguards popped up out of nowhere and started dragging me away.

I fought as hard as I could, but I was no match for them. In the end, I couldn't do anything but let them haul me out of the hospital.

I drifted down the street, feeling totally lost and shattered inside.

I couldn't figure out what Simon was playing at.

I had made up my mind to move on, so why couldn't he let me go?

Four years of love, wiped out in an instant.

If Simon refused to divorce me, then I had no choice but to hire a lawyer.

I had hoped we could part ways amicably, but now it was clear there was no chance for an amicable resolution.

After leaving the hospital, I went straight to a lawyer and laid it all out for him.

The lawyer told me to start gathering evidence so I could secure more favorable terms when it came time for the divorce.

So, I set up some cameras around the house, hoping to catch something that could help my case.

The next day, right when I was getting ready for work, I got hit with a termination notice out of nowhere.

My colleagues also sent me a bunch of messages.

It read, [HR just announced you're fired. Apparently, it was Mr. Ferguson's call.

[Did Mr. Ferguson wake up? What's going on between you guys?]

Anger boiled up inside me. I fired off a quick reply to my colleagues, then jumped in my car and sped straight to the hospital.

Simon had only woken up yesterday. There was no way he'd be out of the hospital this fast.

As soon as I stepped into the hospital room, I saw Simon and Hadley wrapped up in each other, kissing like nobody else existed.

Hadley caught sight of me right away.

She made a show of kissing Simon on the cheek again, then stood up and gave me a smug, challenging look.

"Look who's here. Estelle. Back for more? Or did you just get the boot?" she said.

"Was this your doing?" I snapped.

Hadley glanced down at her freshly done nails, looking totally unfazed.

And she said nonchalantly, "Come on. The company is Simon's. He was sick before, so he let you do as you pleased. Now that he's recovered, of course it's going back to him.

"What, Estelle, got used to squatting in someone else's place, and now you want to keep clinging to Simon's company?

"Or are you just broke now? If you're really that desperate, maybe I'll be nice and let you clean the bathrooms."

Then she burst out laughing, playfully leaning into Simon's shoulder and teasing him in a sweet voice, "Simon, what do you think of my suggestion?"

Simon's lips curled into an affectionate smile. He stretched out his arms, pulled Hadley close, and settled her right onto his lap.

He reached out and lightly tapped Hadley's nose, his voice gentle and indulgent. "Whatever you want, it's up to you."

I never thought Simon could be this cold. It was like all that love we had was a lie.

I was going to try and find more evidence at the company, but honestly, what's the point now?

The hospital cameras already caught Simon and Hadley all over each other. I'd use that footage when I need it.

I turned to leave, but just then, Simon's phone started buzzing.

He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his expression grew colder.

Simon let out a cold laugh and turned the phone toward me, his voice dripping with contempt. "So this is your scheme? Buying people's loyalty behind my back while I was gone?"

The screen was flooded with messages from the old-timers who had been with the company since day one, all pleading with Simon to reconsider.

But Simon wasn't moved at all. If anything, he got even angrier. "What are they trying to do? Undermine me and push me out as the boss of my own company?"

He shot me a look, pure disgust practically oozing from his eyes.

He said, "Hadley told me everything. I only brought you into the company because you had no one, and I felt sorry for you. Never thought you'd have the nerve to try to take over my company.

"Listen up. You're out of the company today, and I'm the one saying it. No amount of begging is going to change that."

At this point, I didn't want anyone else getting dragged into this mess because of me.

"I'll leave. Just don't take it out on the others," I said.

Simon was totally under Hadley's spell right now, and I was honestly scared he might lash out at my colleagues because they tried to stand up for me.

After leaving the hospital, I went straight to my divorce lawyer and asked him to help me get all the paperwork together for my case.

Then I packed up my things and moved back into the small apartment I lived in before I got married.

After my lawyer sent over the divorce papers, I printed out a few copies, planning to bring them to Simon for his signature.

But just as I stepped out the door, someone snuck up behind me, blindfolded me, and stuffed me into a car.

When the car finally stopped, I was dragged into an abandoned warehouse.

Inside, Hadley was waiting for me, surrounded by a couple of bodyguards.

I was tied to a chair and couldn't move an inch.

"Hadley, what the hell do you want?" I demanded.

"What do I want? Estelle, do you know the fastest way to make sure someone never talks again?" Hadley sneered.