Chapter 5 · From Love To Ashes

Mom had been smart her whole life, but she slipped up on this one thing.

She could only count on herself.

When a woman poured her heart and soul into someone, they might not protect her. Instead, they would squeeze every last drop out of her and leave with everything they got from her.

I never depend on anyone, only myself.

I took a deep breath and dialed a number I'd buried in my contacts for years.

"How about a deal? You in?" I asked.

Half an hour later, I pulled up at the gates of Rosemont Villa.

Right in front of him, I plugged a USB drive into the computer.

Complex code streamed down the screen like a waterfall. I tried to keep my cool as I quietly let out a sigh of relief.

The guy across from me leaned back, smiling at me.

"No wonder you were the top architect at Prism Club back in the day. I always said, losing you to the Duncan Group was our biggest mistake," he said.

I didn't bother to point out how he was only now showing genuine warmth. Bentley had already taught me enough lessons. At least with his motives laid bare, I could relax a little.

I didn't care what was going on in his head. What I wanted was real, tangible benefits.

"As you can see, this is the core code for the Gordon Group's pre-sale product. I bet you know exactly what having this means, Mr. Duncan," I said.

Finnley Duncan drummed his fingers on the table and shot me a raised eyebrow.

"Getting a head start, huh? That's not exactly what I'd call honorable competition," he said.

I shook my head.

"What I want is for Bentley to be utterly destroyed. His reputation shattered, the Gordon Group dumping him like worthless garbage, leaving him completely abandoned," I said.

"Once Bentley goes down, the Gordon Group will be crippled. That's when the Duncan Group will have a much easier time expanding," I added.

He leaned back in his chair, letting the silence stretch.

"Deal." After a moment's consideration, he nodded.

"But," he tapped the table, "this won't cut it.

"When this is over, you'll work for the Duncan Group for three years. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're well compensated. Honestly, I just want to see what it's like to have real talent like you on my team."

I stared right into his eyes, and he didn't flinch. All I saw was pure sincerity.

"Deal," I said.

Finnley was nothing if not efficient.

The very next day, he showed up with his legal team.

"First things first, let's get those lawsuits off your back. It'll make your life a whole lot easier," he said.

I nodded and handed over all my financial records.

They tracked every expense from the past eight years in that so-called "home," with every dollar's source and purpose laid out in detail.

The lawyer explained, "Legally, the deal between them and the family is valid if both sides know about it. But hiding it from you? That's illegal.

"And as for their accusations against you, there's barely any evidence. Honestly, their own actions are pretty questionable.

"Fraudulent marriage, false claims, and intentionally wrecking property. Since there was no actual marriage, You worked so hard it practically counts as abuse."

Finnley frowned.

But I just nodded coolly, then unleashed another bombshell.

Bentley probably never thought that, on the day I was thrown out of the Gordon family, I remembered to record our conversation.

"You only managed to give birth to a girl. As soon as she came into this world, I personally dumped her at an orphanage." I played the recording.

The lawyer and Finnley looked at me, stunned.

I could read it all in their eyes—pity, outrage, maybe even a touch of comfort.

But I didn't need their pity or concern.

All I wanted was for Bentley to burn in hell and to reclaim my own daughter.

The Duncan Group's lawyer wrapped everything up in no time, handling all my problems with ease. As for filing a countersuit, I told him to hold off for now. It wasn't the right time yet.

The moment the restrictions were lifted, my phone started ringing.

Bentley's voice oozed superiority as he made his entrance.

He sneered. "Anastasia, are you naive or just plain stupid, thinking you can take on the Gordon Group's legal team? I can wait this out, but you?

"How's life on the streets treating you? Or have you already found your next owner, groveling to be someone else's lapdog?"

I hung up on him without a second thought and shot Finnley a quick text.

Five minutes later, my phone rang right on the dot.

I smirked, tapped to answer.

"Anastasia, you screwed me over!" Bentley barked. "What the hell is up with your code? Why are bugs popping up everywhere? Drop everything and get to the office. If you fix this mess, maybe I'll let your screw-up slide!"

"Mr. Gordon," I said, keeping my tone cool.

"You're right. I've already moved on. So I won't be working for you anymore," I replied. "If you've got any complaints, go book yourself an appointment at the Duncan Group's front desk. Pathetic."

Just like I thought, Bentley couldn't care less about what I said.

Because the truth is, he never cared about me at all.

Chapter 5

Mom had been smart her whole life, but she slipped up on this one thing.

She could only count on herself.

When a woman poured her heart and soul into someone, they might not protect her. Instead, they would squeeze every last drop out of her and leave with everything they got from her.

I never depend on anyone, only myself.

I took a deep breath and dialed a number I'd buried in my contacts for years.

"How about a deal? You in?" I asked.

Half an hour later, I pulled up at the gates of Rosemont Villa.

Right in front of him, I plugged a USB drive into the computer.

Complex code streamed down the screen like a waterfall. I tried to keep my cool as I quietly let out a sigh of relief.

The guy across from me leaned back, smiling at me.

"No wonder you were the top architect at Prism Club back in the day. I always said, losing you to the Duncan Group was our biggest mistake," he said.

I didn't bother to point out how he was only now showing genuine warmth. Bentley had already taught me enough lessons. At least with his motives laid bare, I could relax a little.

I didn't care what was going on in his head. What I wanted was real, tangible benefits.

"As you can see, this is the core code for the Gordon Group's pre-sale product. I bet you know exactly what having this means, Mr. Duncan," I said.

Finnley Duncan drummed his fingers on the table and shot me a raised eyebrow.

"Getting a head start, huh? That's not exactly what I'd call honorable competition," he said.

I shook my head.

"What I want is for Bentley to be utterly destroyed. His reputation shattered, the Gordon Group dumping him like worthless garbage, leaving him completely abandoned," I said.

"Once Bentley goes down, the Gordon Group will be crippled. That's when the Duncan Group will have a much easier time expanding," I added.

He leaned back in his chair, letting the silence stretch.

"Deal." After a moment's consideration, he nodded.

"But," he tapped the table, "this won't cut it.

I stared right into his eyes, and he didn't flinch. All I saw was pure sincerity.

"Deal," I said.

Finnley was nothing if not efficient.

The very next day, he showed up with his legal team.

"First things first, let's get those lawsuits off your back. It'll make your life a whole lot easier," he said.

I nodded and handed over all my financial records.

They tracked every expense from the past eight years in that so-called "home," with every dollar's source and purpose laid out in detail.

The lawyer explained, "Legally, the deal between them and the family is valid if both sides know about it. But hiding it from you? That's illegal.

"And as for their accusations against you, there's barely any evidence. Honestly, their own actions are pretty questionable.

"Fraudulent marriage, false claims, and intentionally wrecking property. Since there was no actual marriage, You worked so hard it practically counts as abuse."

Finnley frowned.

But I just nodded coolly, then unleashed another bombshell.

Bentley probably never thought that, on the day I was thrown out of the Gordon family, I remembered to record our conversation.

"You only managed to give birth to a girl. As soon as she came into this world, I personally dumped her at an orphanage." I played the recording.

The lawyer and Finnley looked at me, stunned.

I could read it all in their eyes—pity, outrage, maybe even a touch of comfort.

But I didn't need their pity or concern.

All I wanted was for Bentley to burn in hell and to reclaim my own daughter.

The Duncan Group's lawyer wrapped everything up in no time, handling all my problems with ease. As for filing a countersuit, I told him to hold off for now. It wasn't the right time yet.

The moment the restrictions were lifted, my phone started ringing.

Bentley's voice oozed superiority as he made his entrance.

He sneered. "Anastasia, are you naive or just plain stupid, thinking you can take on the Gordon Group's legal team? I can wait this out, but you?

"How's life on the streets treating you? Or have you already found your next owner, groveling to be someone else's lapdog?"

I hung up on him without a second thought and shot Finnley a quick text.

Five minutes later, my phone rang right on the dot.

I smirked, tapped to answer.

"Mr. Gordon," I said, keeping my tone cool.

"You're right. I've already moved on. So I won't be working for you anymore," I replied. "If you've got any complaints, go book yourself an appointment at the Duncan Group's front desk. Pathetic."

Just like I thought, Bentley couldn't care less about what I said.

Because the truth is, he never cared about me at all.