Chapter 6

Tom stared at me, his eyes burning with anger and humiliation. Then he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I didn't bother chasing after him. I picked up my phone and texted my assistant: [Cut off Erika's sponsorship.]

My assistant replied almost instantly: [Got it.]

I put my phone down.

Three years ago, Vortex Group kicked off a scholarship program to help out poor college students, and Erika was among the first batch chosen.

At the time, to give Baxter Group a boost in reputation, I had the scholarships listed under Baxter's name and presented it to the public as a CSR initiative.

But I never thought this setup would end up confusing Erika. She assumed Tom was the one backing her, that he was her benefactor.

So naturally, she believed that as long as she could hook up with Tom, she'd have me under her thumb.

Her little scheme totally backfired on her. The next morning, my phone's buzzing woke me up. I reached for it and saw a breaking news alert.

It was a photo that took up half the screen. Inside a car, Tom and Erika were caught kissing.

The headline read: [Baxter Group CEO caught kissing mystery woman in car late at night.]

The article was full of juicy details about Tom's late-night rendezvous with a beautiful woman, hinting that the Baxter CEO's marriage might be in trouble.

I stared at the photo. It was pretty clear. It must've been taken last night, after their drive.

It looked like they were parked somewhere, maybe a parking lot or the side of the road. Erika's eyes were closed, looking completely blissful.

My phone buzzed. Erika sent me a message.

Erika: [Mrs. Baxter, did you see the news? He said he can't stand you anymore. Just wait till you get kicked out. Let's see what you have left to be proud of then.]

I stared at the message but didn't reply.

She kept sending more: [Didn't you say he'd never betray you for me? Got anything to say now?]

Erika: [You posted about tossing out anything dirty. Looks like you're the one getting dumped now!]

Erika: [Cat got your tongue? Are you curled up under your blanket, sobbing?]

Erika: [Don't worry. Once he dumps you, I'll take good care of him. He deserves someone way better than you.]

I scrolled through each message, then locked the screen.

I had many girls like Erika. She always believed a woman's success depended on a man, so she thought snagging Tom would automatically make her the new Mrs. Baxter.

She didn't realize that I had earned everything I had accomplished.

I took over Vortex Group, and in the past ten years, I grew it from just over a billion to tens of billions of dollars.

Tom might have some business smarts, but compared to others, he's still a few steps behind.

That was why I only bought shares in Baxter Group. I never let our projects overlap or collaborate with theirs.

He just paraded around as CEO, but he didn't really do anything.

But explaining any of this to Erika is pointless. She wouldn't understand, and honestly, she didn't care to.

When I came downstairs for breakfast, the housekeeper kept glancing at me, wanting to say something but holding her tongue. I knew she'd seen the news too, but she wasn't about to ask.

I didn't bother explaining. After breakfast, I got changed and went to work.

Outside the Vortex Group, some reporters were already camped out by the entrance. As soon as they saw my car, they rushed over, banging on my window, waving their mics, and yelling questions. I ignored them and didn't stop.

When I walked into my office, my assistant was already waiting for me.

"Ms. Rodgers," she said, setting a stack of newspapers and printed web pages on my desk. "All the news from today is here."

I flipped through them. The headlines were all about Tom and Erika kissing.

Some even had my photo, with headlines like: [Is Mrs. Baxter's position in jeopardy?]

I glanced at the news and just laughed.

They got one thing totally wrong.

I didn't become a CEO because I married Tom. I was one because of my own lineage. Tom only got to be a CEO because he married me.

I set the papers aside, grabbed my phone, and called the legal department. "Mr. Reese, draft up a divorce agreement for me."

Just as the divorce agreement was finalized, my phone rang. It was Molly.

"Leslie!" Her voice was urgent. "I saw the news, but it's all just a misunderstanding! Tom told me that girl was feeling down, so he was keeping her company. Nothing more!"

I said with a straight face, "Molly, your son was caught on camera kissing another woman. You really think that's 'nothing'?"

She said, "That's just a misunderstanding..."

I cut her off. "A misunderstanding that involves mouth-to-mouth?"

She paused for a moment, then her voice softened. "Leslie, I know you're angry, but it's normal for couples to have arguments. Just give Tom another chance. He'll definitely make it right."

I scoffed and said, "Molly, do you even know what a bottom line is? My bottom line is clear. I will never forgive cheating in a marriage."