Chapter 3

I dragged my suitcase out of the apartment complex, and the security guard helped me hail a cab.

Neighbors were gossiping and staring. Melinda had caused such a commotion last night that everyone in the complex knew about it.

Some said I was a terible daughter-in-law, while others blamed Daniel for being heartless. The truth didn't matter to me. All I cared about was the outcome.

The cab stopped right outside a hotel I owned. Staying here was the safest bet.

The front desk manager greeted me with a respectful smile. "Mrs. Lindsey, your suite is ready. It's on the top floor and has amazing view."

I swiped my keycard, dropped my luggage, and opened my phone. The family group chat was blowing up.

My relatives were all pointing fingers, saying I didn't care about the family and that I'd pushed Daniel to his limit.

Melinda sent a voice message, crying about how I'd abused her and hogged all the assets. Her voice was shrill and grating.

I tapped play. She was telling twisted lies.

In my previous life, I was terrified of being judged and gossiped about, so I put up with it in silence.

This time around, I couldn't care less. Reputation was empty words. Money was what really mattered.

I took screenshots, sorted out the audio files, and sent everything to my lawyer as evidence for defamation.

As I finished sending the message, the doorbell rang.

I thought it was room service, but instead, it was Cassandra standing there.

She was wearing something thin, looking pale and pitiful, holding a file folder.

Cassandra said, "Pearl, I finally found you."

I let her in and told her to take a seat on the couch. She glanced around, checking out the place.

"This hotel is so fancy. Daniel said you were rich, but I had no idea you were this loaded," she said.

I poured her a glass of water and set it down in front of her. "get to the point. No need for small talk."

She took a sip of water, her gaze flickering with uncertainty.

"Honestly, I don't want it to be like this either, but the kid needs a dad. If Daniel loses everything, what will happen to the child?" Cassandra said.

"So?" I pressed.

"So, return the money to us. We'll sign the divorce papers, but the money needs to stay with the company," she said.

I couldn't help but laugh. What a good plan.

I said, "So you want the money to stay with the company, but the company is Daniel's.

That means it's still yours in the end. And what do I get out of it? A bunch of dramas?"

Cassandra lowered her head, nervously twisting the edge of her shirt between her fingers.

"Don't push us, Pearl. Even a rabbit will bite if you push it too far," she said.

Daniel had used those exact words before. They must have talked this over.

I stood up and walked to the window. Down below, cars streamed by. People were scrambling for scraps, trying to make a buck. Cassandra and Daniel were no exception.

I turned around and fixed my gaze on Cassandra.

I said, "Go tell Daniel. I will take whatever amount is rightfully mine. Whatever the court decides, that's what I'll do.

"If you want to play dirty, I will see you to the end."

Cassandra stood up, her gaze shifting, gone was the pitiful look, replaced by cold, simmering hatred.

"Pearl, don't come crying when you regret this. If you're going to be ruthless, don't blame us for cutting off every escape," she said.

She spun around and left. As soon as the door closed behind her, my phone lit up.

An unknown number had sent me a photo. It was my parents' tombstone. The rext read: [Don't you want them to rest in peace?]

My hand shook for a moment, but I forced myself to calm down.

This was my bottom line. I used to want a divorce before, but now I wanted their lives.

I picked up the phone and called my lawyer, instructing him to file new charges of invasion of privacy and criminal threats.

I walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. The reflection in the mirror stared back with cold, determined eyes. I was no longer the easy target I once was.

Daniel and Cassandra had gone too far. I would no longer show mercy.

I grabbed my laptop and started pulling together everything I had. If we were playing this game, I was going all out.

I was going to make sure that they wouldn't be able to stay in this city ever again.

Outside, dusk settled in and the city lit up, every glowing window hiding a story of its own. As for me, my story was only reaching its peak.

My stomach rumbled, so I ordered room service and made sure to eat my fill.

No matter what happened, this body was mine. If I wanted to fight through the night, I needed to be well-fed.

Once I finished eating, I got right back to work, burning the midnight oil.

My phone buzzed again. It was a message from Daniel. [You win.]

I replied: [This is only the beginning.]

I set my phone aside, turned off the lights, and went to bed.

Tomorrow, I'd need all my strength for the battles ahead, so I had to rest up and be ready for whatever came.

That night, not a single dream disturbed my sleep.