Chapter 3

I pushed those thoughts aside and contacted the Wynn Group's legal counsel to ask about divorce proceedings.

It was late by the time Charles came home. I hadn't expected him to bring Vivian back to our house.

Her cheeks were flushed, and she reeked of alcohol as she held up a box. "Grace, I hope you don't mind me stopping by a bit late. I made sure to save you a piece of Charles' birthday cake."

Charles rubbed his glabella, looking at Vivian with open indulgence. When he turned to me, his tone cooled instantly. "Vivian's had a few drinks. Go get her some water."

I looked at the two of them, a chill running through my bones.

I couldn't help but say sarcastically. "Mr. Rivers, I assume you haven't had time to check the trending news yet? 'The Rivers Group CEO was caught in a steamy late-night kiss with an innocent young woman at the hotel entrance.' Can't wait to see how your stock and reputation crash and burn tomorrow morning."

"And Ms. Linwood," I continued coolly, "you've barely gained a bit of fame from that web series, and you're already rushing to brand yourself as the other woman? This kind of publicity should keep you busy for a while."

Charles frowned, his voice turning cold. "Grace, watch your words. That's nothing but media spin and wild speculation. When did you get so dramatic?"

Vivian's eyes reddened at once. Her voice turned soft and aggrieved. "Charles, how could Grace think that of me? Those photos were just camera angles. We were just friends hanging out."

"Grace, I know you're angry," she went on gently, "but you can't make up stories to smear Charles just because you want to be with Mr. Foster. Charles is at a critical stage in his career. If you won't help him, fine. But how could you team up with outsiders to hurt him?"

The words "teaming up with outsiders" instantly lit the fuse of Charles' anger.

"I knew it," he snapped. "The only reason you're asking for a divorce is because of Julian. All that trending news is just your excuse.

"So, have you been hooking up with him behind my back all along? Just how much shady crap have you two pulled without me knowing?"

The man in front of me looked nothing like the cool, composed Mr. Rivers everyone admired. His face was twisted by jealousy and suspicion.

Watching him like this, I found it almost laughable—and pitiful—that I had once loved a man who couldn't tell right from wrong.

"Charles," I said calmly, "do you really think everyone is like you and Vivian, sneaking around and lying to yourselves?

"The problems between us have never had anything to do with Julian or anyone else. It's just me—I don't want you anymore."

My composure and indifference had finally pushed him over the edge.

Charles' eyes were bloodshot as he suddenly raised his hand. With a smack, a sharp slap landed hard across my face.

Pain flared instantly along my cheek, and my ears buzzed from the blow.

I looked up, my gaze hollow as I looked at Charles, who seemed just as stunned by his violence. "Charles, from this moment on, the only thing left between us is divorce. I'll have my lawyer contact you. Go ahead and be with Vivian all you want. Just don't come back to disgust me again."

*****

The next day, public opinion kept snowballing.

One topic shot to the top of the trending list overnight with the hashtag, "Charles and Vivian are true love."

The comments were filled with talk of a perfect match, of destiny fulfilled, and of love rekindled.

Right beneath it, another topic climbed straight to number two with the hashtag, "Grace is the homewrecker."

The posts were packed with bright, youthful photos of Charles and Vivian from their college days, accompanied by long, sentimental captions about their many years of love.

I, on the other hand, was painted as a scheming woman who had used her family's power to tear true lovers apart.

What got to me was that the photos of Julian taking me out of the banquet hall the night before were suddenly leaked.

Every gossip account sang the same tune, accusing me of cheating first within my marriage and seamlessly jumping to the heir of the Foster Group.

The comment sections exploded.

[So much for true love in high society. The second that old relationship came out, she was already looking to trade up.]

[Wrecks someone else's relationship and still cheats herself—she has no shame at all.]

[The Wynn Group is on its last legs, yet she's still acting all high and mighty. She is clearly riding on the Foster family now.]

In the blink of an eye, I became the homewrecker and the cheater, while Charles and Vivian were transformed into a tragic couple worthy of pity and blessings.

Molly called. She was furious. "Grace, this has Charles' dirty hands all over it."

I held the phone, my fingers ice-cold, yet I still dialed Charles' number.

The call was answered almost immediately. A cold, smug voice came through the line. "So," he said, "now you know what it feels like to panic?"

My heart tightened. "Charles, those twisted rumors online—you did that, didn't you?"

"So what if I did?" He admitted it without hesitation. "Grace, this is just a small lesson for you. Vivian isn't anyone you can slander at will. And you? Without me, you're nothing."

"I'm nothing?" I almost laughed. "Charles, you think you could've scored all those deals without me backing you up? And as for smearing Vivian—if she dared to play the other woman, then she shouldn't—"

"Shut up." Charles cut me off angrily. "Grace, publicly apologize for insulting Vivian that night. Promise you'll cut all contact with Julian and focus on helping me secure the Grandwell project. If you do that, I might consider making those stories disappear."

I fell silent. Listening to Charles lay out his ridiculous terms, it felt as though I were nothing more than a chess piece he could move at will.

"Grace," he continued, "be sensible. As long as you do what I say, you can still be Mrs. Rivers a little longer."

It all made sense now. To Charles, I had always just been a business accessory, a tool to reinforce his status.

I wasn't angry anymore. I didn't even bother accusing him. I simply said calmly, "Mrs. Rivers? I don't care for it at all. Have you forgotten? I already told you I want a divorce."