Chapter 2
The Conway relatives flooded the comments with likes and praise.
[That's exactly right. Carrying on the Conway family line is what really matters.]
[Tessa looks so friendly. She's so much better than that jinx.]
[Eric hit the jackpot. He should've divorced ages ago.]
I kept slicing my steak, not even pausing as I scrolled through the comments.
Eric replied, [Honey, thanks for carrying my baby. From now on, you're calling the shots at home and at the company, too. You're the family's MVP.]
I couldn't help but let out a laugh.
He was actually handing the company over to her?
Eric must've forgotten that while the company stamp, finance stamp, and legal stamp were all locked in the safe, I was the only one who knew the password.
And even more importantly, the paperwork to make Tessa the legal head of the company was just wrapped up last week.
Now, the one running the show was none other than Tessa, the "hero" everyone was praising.
After finishing my lunch at a leisurely pace, I sent a message to my former assistant, Paula Durham.
[How's the company doing?] I asked.
Paula replied almost instantly. [Natalie, it's a madhouse. Tessa showed up first thing this morning, throwing her weight around. She insists on checking the books herself, and now nothing gets reimbursed unless she signs off on it.]
Me: [And Eric?]
Paula: [Mr. Conway's just chilling in his office, playing games. He says from now on, Tessa's in charge of everything.]
Me: [How's everyone taking it?]
Paula: [Lillian in finance is so mad she's thinking about quitting, and a few of the sales team's top performers are saying they can't stick around either. Natalie, are you really not coming back?]
Me: [No rush. Let's let the chaos run its course for a bit.]
After putting my phone down, I ordered a car and made my way to the law firm.
Lucas Dodson was already there, waiting for me.
"Ms. Boyer, these are the documents you asked for," Lucas said, handing over a thick file. "It's the acquisition proposal from Lestone Group, plus the current debt list for Conway Supply Group."
I flipped through the file. The debt list was covered in staggering deficits, all in red. It was honestly overwhelming.
Over the past few years, Eric had been chasing after glory and expanding recklessly, racking up huge debts with the bank and suppliers.
I was the one who kept bailing him out, using my connections and my own savings to cover the gaps and keep up the illusion of prosperity at Conway Supply Group.
Now that I was out of the picture, who was going to plug those holes?
"Lucas, could you draft a statement for me?" I said.
I closed the file, my eyes cold and resolute.
"I want the statement to say that I, Natalie Boyer, am no longer associated with Conway Supply Group. And as of yesterday, I'm officially divorced from Eric Conway," I said.
"Got it," Lucas replied.
By the time I left the law firm, it was already late.
As I walked past a baby store, I stopped in my tracks.
In the window, a set of delicate baby clothes was on display.
Three years ago, I was expecting a baby myself.
At that time, Eric had just taken over the company and was coming home wasted every night after endless business dinners.
One night, he lost it in a drunken rage and shoved me.
I lost the baby, a fully formed baby boy.
That was the day my heart died.
Ever since then, I'd been waiting for the perfect moment to ruin Eric completely, to make sure he'd never crawl out of the pit.
And now, that chance had finally arrived.
*****
On the third day, Eric finally realized something was seriously wrong.
He called me over twenty times, but I didn't pick up a single one.
Finally, he tried calling from a different number.
"Natalie, you bitch! Where the hell did you stash all the company's money?" Eric barked the moment I picked up.
I held the phone away from my ear, my voice cold and detached. "Mr. Conway, maybe you should get your facts straight before throwing accusations around.
"The finance department handles all the accounts. I'm just a housewife. How would I ever touch the money?"
"Cut the crap. The finance says there's not even enough left to pay salaries. Suppliers are blowing up our phones for their money, and the bank's chasing us for the loans. Is this your doing?" Eric yelled.
I scoffed, "Mr. Conway, have you lost count of how much you've blown gambling in Usnington these past years? Or how many designer bags you've bought for your lovers?
"I used my own money to cover your mess before, but now I'm done. Without me patching things up, the hole's finally showing."
Eric was stunned, totally speechless. He clearly never thought I'd lay it all out like that.
"Natalie, don't be so cold. We were married, right? If you come back and fix the money mess, maybe I won't kick you out with nothing.
"I could even let you keep a little apartment," Eric said, his tone suddenly softer, like he was doing me a favor.
"No thanks," I said, my voice steady as I looked out at the busy street below. "Keep that house for your precious child.
"But let me remind you. Even though your name's on the deed, every mortgage payment for the past few years has come straight from my account. We'll settle this debt in court."
"Natalie, you wouldn't dare," Eric shouted.
"Just watch me," I shot back.
With that, I hung up.
Not long after, Paula sent me a message. [Natalie, Tessa's causing a ruckus at the office. The suppliers stormed in to demand their money and blocked the entrance.
[Tessa started shouting that she's pregnant, and if anyone hurt her, it'll be two lives lost. Then, one of the female supplier pointed at her and called her shameless.]