Chapter 1

I had always been kind to my daughter-in-law, Emily Warren. When she went into her postnatal confinement, I gave her 150 thousand and covered every expense.

At the party to celebrate my grandchild's birth today, I brought a gold pendant as a gift. But Emily's mother, Emma Warren, snatched it and threw it on the floor.

"Keep your filthy money," she snapped. "My grandson is too precious to wear anything from an outsider."

I looked at my son, Michael Hamilton, stunned. He turned away, avoiding my eyes.

"Mom," he said, "Emily believes in being an independent woman. She wants the baby to carry her surname, Warren. From now on, I'm part of the Warrens."

Emily stepped forward, chin raised, and announced to everyone watching, "A gold pendant means nothing. Your villa and your company will belong to me soon. This is what a woman's awakening looks like."

I stared at their smug faces, so angry that I almost laughed out loud. Without another word, I revoked every share authorization I'd granted.

"Since independence and awakening are so important to you," I said, "I'm sure you don't need any financial help. Now take your child, leave my house, and don't expect a single cent from me ever again."

Then I picked up the intercom, my voice icy. "Security, show this family the door."

Michael went pale in an instant.

"Mom, what are you saying? You're kicking me out?" He stared at me in disbelief, like I'd lost my mind. "You're my mom. Who else would you give your money to if not me? This is my home too."

I shot him a cold stare.

This son I'd poured my heart and soul into raising was now a spoiled wolf, baring his teeth at me like I was the enemy.

Right after he graduated from college, he kept insisting on marrying his classmate, Emily.

Emily came from a humble background. Her parents were regular workers in a small town, with hardly any savings to their name.

Before the wedding, her family couldn't put up any money at all, but Emma kept making sly comments about how other girls in town married well and their husbands bought their parents a house for retirement. I ignored her.

But Michael was head over heels for Emily, so to make sure she had a wedding to show off, I ended up covering every single expense myself.

After they got married, Emily quit her job, claiming she needed to prepare for pregnancy, and moved into my villa.

I thought she wanted an easy life, but turned out she was after a whole lot more than that.

She started egging Michael on, saying that being a department manager in my company was me "taking advantage of my own son."

"Mom, Emily's got a point. I can't work for you forever," Michael said. "I want twenty percent of your company, and I want to be vice president."

That was the first time I felt a chill in my heart toward my own son. He suddenly felt like a stranger to me.

"When you actually prove yourself, you'll have a place in the company. But right now, what gives you the right?" I told him.

We ended up arguing and walked away angry.

Thinking back, that was the moment their plan truly began.

The party was a total disaster. The guests were frozen in place, too awkward to say a word, watching the whole mess play out.

Emma, in her cheap suit that stuck out like a sore thumb, rushed over and pulled Emily behind her, shielding her.

Emma snapped, "Grace Hamilton, you've got some filthy money, but that doesn't mean you can push us around.

"My daughter marrying your son is her settling for less. This is the new era. So what if women are in charge now? You're nothing but an old-school traditionalist."

Emily cradled the baby, her face radiating smug, provocative pride.

"Come on. Don't be so old-fashioned," she said. "From now on, Michael and I will run the company. You may enjoy your retirement. We'll make sure you're taken care of, better than ever."

The look in her eyes said she saw me as yesterday's news, waiting to be pushed out.

The security guards were already there, holding Michael firmly by each arm.

Michael kept struggling. "Mom, you can't do this to me. I'm your only son."

I walked right up to him, looking him straight in the eye, panic and resentment written all over his face.

"The moment you chose to be a Warren, you were no longer my son," I said.

With that, I didn't spare him another glance. I turned to address the guests.

"I'm sorry for the spectacle. My family has had an unfortunate day, and I apologize for the poor hospitality. I'll visit each of you to apologize in person another day," I said.

The guests took their leave, and in no time, the vast party hall was left with only me and the chaos.

The crystal chandelier glinted coldly off the abandoned gold pendant on the floor, its light sharp and unforgiving.

I stood there for ages, until the overwhelming fury inside me slowly froze over into something cold and unyielding.