Chapter 2
By the time I got home, it was already dark.
The spacious living room was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was even colder than the winter night outside.
Alexander sat in the main seat on the sofa, legs crossed, looking every bit the aloof billionaire. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his handsome face completely expressionless.
Next to him sat my mother-in-law, Victoria Shore.
She was dressed in an expensive velvet tight-fitting dress, her well-maintained face flawless with makeup, but her lips twisted into a sharp, disdainful sneer.
The way she looked at me was like I was nothing but mud-stained garbage.
I figured Alexander would bring a lawyer, but I never expected he'd call Victoria over too.
They were clearly planning to put me through a family trial.
Victoria's sharp voice cut through the air as soon as I finished putting on my shoes, "You still have the nerve to show your face here?
"My Reed family must have been cursed for eight generations to end up with a woman like you who is not even fit to be seen in public!"
Her words were like knives, each one slicing right through me.
I'd heard this kind of thing countless times over the past three years.
Back then, every time I heard it, my face would go pale. I'd lower my head, and mumble an apology like a coward.
But today, I didn't.
I didn't even lift my eyes. I just walked straight over and sat down on the single sofa across from them.
My calmness clearly pissed off Victoria.
Victoria slammed her hand on the armrest, her voice even sharper, "Look at her! Acting like she can't hear a thing!
"Sophie, let me tell you, don't think you can just take the money and live easy.
"That's just Alexander feeling sorry for you. It's more than you'll ever earn in your whole life! What else are you good for besides clinging on and making a scene?"
I looked up at her, steady and calm, not flinching for a second.
Then I gave her a faint, almost mocking smile, "You're right.
"I'm honestly useless. Can't help your son run his business, can't make the Reed family look good. So, 15 million dollars as compensation? Sounds pretty reasonable to me."
My words made the whole living room go dead silent.
Victoria looked like someone had grabbed her throat, her face livid under all that makeup. Her eyes bulged as she pointed at me, totally speechless.
"You... You..."
Guess this was the first time she'd ever seen me talk back to her.
Alexander finally lifted his gaze from the papers, fixing his eyes on me.
For the first time, there was real scrutiny and curiosity in those deep, unreadable eyes.
He looked genuinely confused like he couldn't figure out how I'd changed so much in just one day.
"Mom, let her sign the papers first," Alexander said in a calm tone, but there was no room for argument.
Vincent King, the lawyer sitting beside him, immediately caught on and slid a document across the coffee table to me, "Ms. Lane, this is the divorce agreement. Please take a look. The main terms are: you agree to give up all shared marital property, and Mr. Reed will pay you 15 million dollars as compensation.
"Once you get the money, you must move out immediately and promise never to contact Mr. Reed or his family again."
I picked up the agreement and flipped through it quickly.
The terms were harsh, basically erasing any trace of my existence these past three years.
But I didn't care.
All I cared about was that 15 million dollars.
"Fine," I said, picking up the pen, ready to sign.
"Wait,"Alexander Reed spoke up again, his voice sharp and commanding.
I looked up at him.
He leaned back on the sofa, eyes cold as steel. His lips parted, and he spoke the most brutal words I'd ever heard, "There's a supplementary clause in the agreement.
"You have to sign first, and leave with nothing. The compensation will be transferred to you within a month after you move out."
My hand clenched around the pen.
Sign first, walk out empty-handed.
The money comes a month later.
Does he seriously take me for an idiot?
Once I signed and moved out, whether and when I'd actually see that 15 million dollars was all up to him.
He could come up with a hundred excuses to delay or withhold the payment.
I stared at him, and suddenly everything made sense.
He wasn't here to negotiate. He was here to make sure I felt humiliated.
Even divorced, Alexander wanted to make sure he held all the power. If he felt like paying, I'd get the money; if not, I'd never see a dime.
Victoria finally seized her chance, her laugh sharp and cold, "See? That's your true colors!
"Greedy to the core! You actually want the money first? Do you even deserve it? Alexander, a woman like her shouldn't get a single cent. Just kick her out!"
I ignored her rant.
My eyes stayed locked on Alexander.
I looked at his handsome features, at the coldness and contempt in his gaze.
This was the man I'd loved for so many years.
Right then, my heart finally died.
I looked away and set the pen gently on the agreement.
Then I took out my phone from my bag.
Right in front of them, I unlocked the screen and tapped it.
A sharp, echoing voice I'd just recorded played out loud in the silent living room.
"Greedy to the core! You actually want the money first? Do you even deserve it?"