Chapter 2

I stayed silent, and that was my answer.

Jerome suddenly slammed the coffee cup down onto the coffee table.

With a sharp crack, the coffee cup shattered into fragments upon impact.

It was just like our marriage now, broken beyond repair.

Jerome said angrily, "Raquel, after all these years together, I never would have thought you could be this greedy.

"Half of our marital assets are legally mine, and I've already given you the lion's share. How can you still be so insatiable?

"Can't we just part ways amicably? Do you have to force us to turn against each other?"

I curled my lips into a mocking smile at his furious expression.

It was his betrayal that left me miserable and resentful, not the other way around.

My kindness was exploited, my trust trifled with, my affections betrayed, and my sincere heart ridiculed.

After all this, how dare he still expect a clean break?

"My decision is final," I said coldly. "If you want a divorce, you leave with nothing. Otherwise, you won't like what comes next."

After all his years as CEO, Jerome had rarely stooped to this level when speaking to anyone.

Raquel's relentless provocations finally pushed Jerome to his breaking point.

He said, "Raquel, my guilt has its limits.

"Yes, I know you've endured every hardship with me. But half of our marital assets rightfully belong to me. There's no way I'll let you have it all.

"If we can't reach an agreement, we'll settle this in court. You should know you might end up with far less than this offer.

"I still hope you'll reconsider this carefully."

I poured myself a cup of coffee and took a sip. It was bitter, much like the reality I'm facing right now.

I looked up at him and said, "Oh? So now our decades of shared history don't matter anymore?"

Then I sneered.

I continued, "Jerome, go ask a lawyer. If I don't agree, do you think the court would grant the divorce without my consent?

"If this divorce lawsuit drags on for decades, we'll both be dead and buried.

"So your precious little darling will just wail. She'll always be the mistress, even to her grave."

Jerome was fuming. Why couldn't I get through to her? If she insisted on being this stubborn, she would have no one to blame but herself for what happened next.

He said, "If you don't agree, fine. I'm moving out today. I'll file for divorce in two years, and I can still get a divorce by then.

"I can also make her my lawful wife. And you? Forget about getting anywhere near that much of the assets."

With that, he grabbed his suitcase and headed to the bedroom.

Ten minutes later, he emerged, dragging a heavy suitcase.

Without even glancing at me, he strode straight for the door.

After betraying me, he still thought he could control me? Fine, let's see who could win at last.

I said slowly, "It seems an inclusive society now. Who knows? Maybe even more people would actually support her being the other woman?"

At that, Jerome froze in the doorway. He whirled around, glaring at me with burning intensity. "What the hell are you trying to pull?"

I took another slow sip of my coffee. It was bitter at first but with a lingering sweetness.

"What can I do? Netizens these days are so tolerant. They might even start shipping you two, rooting for your little star-crossed romance—"

Before I could finish my sentence, I heard Jerome roar furiously, "Don't you dare!"

His fingers turned white from gripping the suitcase, and veins throbbed visibly at his temples.

All his previous composure vanished, replaced by visible panic.

I never expected him to be this protective of another woman.

Seeing him like that, I couldn't help but laugh mockingly.

In negotiations, nothing was more dangerous than letting the other party exploit weaknesses.

I said, "I dare. You know damn well there's nothing I wouldn't do."

I was elegant, generous, modest, and sensible.

But I sought revenge for the smallest grievance. Jerome knew that better than anyone.

Back in the early days of building our business, Jerome and I were constantly out dining with clients.

Being young and attractive, I inevitably faced unwanted advances at those business dinners.

I'd always just cling to Jerome and endure it in silence.

But once Jerome and I became successful, those who had once harassed me faced various consequences. Some had their families broken up. Others were engulfed in scandals, and a few even went bankrupt.

Jerome knew it was my doing, and he even helped me cover my tracks.

So he knew I was not bluffing.

I supposed this explained why he was stooping to negotiate the divorce terms himself.

I thought he was afraid that I would deal with him and his precious darling just as ruthlessly as I did with those others.

But in doing so, I found his Achilles' heel.

Jerome remained silent and stared at me with cold eyes.

Unfazed, I stared back at him defiantly.

I said, "If you insist on taking the shares, the company could go under. You know I can make that happen.

"Not only that, I'll sue you and your precious darling to reclaim every cent of our marital assets.

"Besides, I might even file a bigamy lawsuit against you. Who knows? I might just win—"

Before I could finish, Jerome stormed over, glaring at me from across the coffee table. His eyes were blazing with fury.

I ignored him, sipping my coffee leisurely. It even tasted better and better.

Jerome knew all too well that Raquel really had the means to pull it off, and that was exactly why he didn't dare make a move against her.

Defeated, he relented and softened his tone.

He said, "Raquel, we grew up together as childhood sweethearts. There's a bond between us that goes all the way back.

"We've known each other for forty years. Tell me honestly. Haven't I always treated you well?

"Even though I don't love you now, I still consider you family. Can't you just grant me this?

"That's the company we built together through blood, sweat, and tears. How could you even think of destroying it?"

He might have sounded sincere, but honestly, I just found it laughable.

Just to divorce me and legitimize his precious mistress, Jerome has tried every dirty trick in the book.

I said, "Jerome, stop lying to yourself. What bond could possibly remain between us now?"

"Of course, I would destroy it. You know I never let a grudge go unavenged. I won't let a single cent go to those who've harmed me."

Jerome was shaking violently. His fury was clearly at its peak. "Raquel, I never thought you'd turn out to be such a crazy woman!"

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him, and this time, he was gone for another whole month.