Chapter 4
Beata was about to say something else, but Tina gave her a look that instantly silenced her.
The three of them, heads down, shuffled into the elevator under the watchful escort of security.
Just before the elevator doors closed, Willow locked her venomous gaze on me.
I just smiled back.
Finally, peace at last.
I pulled out my phone and made a call.
"Hello, is this the cleaning service? I want your most thorough deep cleaning and disinfection.
"Throw out anything that isn't mine," I added.
After I hung up, I took in the emptiness of the house, feeling the silence settle around me.
This place would soon be completely free of any trace of Chris.
My phone buzzed.
It was a text from an unknown number.
[Hazel, you think this is over? Just so you know, I'm pregnant—with Chris's baby!]
It was Tina.
I glanced at the message, not a hint of emotion in my eyes.
Pregnant?
If she thinks that's her ace up her sleeve, it means nothing to me.
I deleted the message and blocked the number.
Another message popped up.
It was from Darell.
[Quick, check the news. Chris is making his move.]
I clicked the link.
An article titled "The Scorned Heiress Strikes Back? The Founder of a Listed Company's Heartbreaking Account!" had already shot to the top of the financial news.
The article was dramatic and sensational.
Chris was painted as a self-made business genius.
And me? According to them, I was nothing but a manipulative villain who swooped in and took everything Chris had worked for after his rise to success.
The article claimed I'd been infertile for years, and painted me as paranoid and obsessive.
Driven by jealousy over Chris's talent, I supposedly tried to sabotage him at every turn.
And after he asked for a divorce, I allegedly lost my mind, joined forces with outside investors to maliciously short the company, and snatched away everything he'd poured his life into.
There was a photo of Chris outside the court, looking like he'd lost everything.
And another of Willow and Beata, both crying their eyes out.
Tina was painted as the innocent victim—a kind-hearted girl swept up in the chaos of the rich, all because she fell for him.
The comments section was already exploding.
[Hazel is so heartless! After all those years as husband and wife, how could she do this?]
[Strong women are always so controlling, aren't they?]
[Poor Mr. Parsons. Built his empire from scratch, only for his wife to snatch it away.]
[That mistress isn't any better, but the wife's moves are just too ruthless.]
Public opinion was like an invisible blade, cutting me down without mercy.
Chris was smart. He knew he couldn't beat me in business, so he decided to weaponize morality against me, trying to ruin me for good.
He wanted to turn me into the public enemy number one.
That way, when Origin Capital Partners took over the company, they'd be hit with a tidal wave of public backlash.
It could even disrupt the company's normal operations.
Now that's what I call a killer move.
I closed the news page, unruffled.
Right then, Darell's call came through.
"Did you catch that? Chris is playing dirty. Some of our business partners have already called, wanting answers, and there's been a slight dip in the stock price," he said.
"It was expected," I replied.
"So, what's your plan? Should we make a statement to the media and clear things up?" Darell asked.
"No," I replied, rejecting his suggestion.
"If we try to explain ourselves now, it'll just turn into a pointless back-and-forth. The online crowd will just see it as us slinging mud at each other," I said.
"So what now? Just let him smear your name?" Darell sounded anxious.
I let out a soft laugh.
"Darell, what do you think is the best weapon against lies?" I asked.
Darell paused, caught off guard.
"Is it... the truth?" he guessed.
"No," I said, shaking my head.
"It's another story—one that's even more convincing," I replied.
"What do you mean?" Darell asked, still confused.
"I need you to set up a meeting for me. With Ford Woolery, the editor-in-chief of Era Media Group," I said.
Darell looked surprised. "Ford? He's a real old fox in the industry. He doesn't just meet anyone."
"Just tell him I've got something he wants," I said.
"What is it?" Darell asked.
"An exclusive story that'll make his media outlet's traffic explode—ten times over," I replied.
After hanging up, I headed into my study and unlocked the safe.
Inside, a few folders and a USB drive sat there, untouched.
This was the proof I'd kept for the past decade—every bit of evidence I'd gathered.
Chris, you really think your performance is flawless?
You forget—I'm the one who built your stage.
You want a war of public opinion?
Alright, let's see who comes out on top.
That afternoon, I met Ford at a private club.
He was in his fifties, and his smile was crafty—foxlike, sharp and calculating.
"Ms. Rhodes, I've heard so much about you. I have to say, you're even more impressive in person than in your photos," he said.
"I'm flattered, Mr. Woolery," I replied.
Getting straight to the point, I slid a folder across the table to him.
"Consider this a welcome gift for our first meeting, Mr. Woolery," I said.
Ford raised an eyebrow and opened the folder.
After just a glance, the look in his eyes shifted completely.
Inside were all the documents proving how Chris had used his position to secure benefits for his family over the years.
He bought his mother a villa, billing it as corporate hospitality expenses.
He got his sister a sports car, processed through the company's procurement account.
Every transaction was traceable, backed by undeniable evidence.
Ford stared at the evidence, his breath coming faster. "This..." he muttered, clearly rattled.
"Trust me, this is just the appetizer," I said.
I slid the USB drive over to him as well.
"You'll find something even juicier in here," I added.
Ford immediately called his assistant over and had him open the USB drive on his laptop.
A video started playing.
It showed Chris at the company's annual party, drunk and getting intimate with a starlet.
But that wasn't all.
The video was a mashup of seven or eight different scenes, each with a different starlet.
All of them were internet celebrities and up-and-coming models who'd been making waves these past couple of years.
Ford's eyes sparkled with excitement.
He instantly understood just how valuable this stuff was.
"Ms. Rhodes, what do you want?" he asked, pausing the video and looking at me.
"I don't want anything from you.
"All I want is for you to break this story wide open; let everyone see the truth," I added.