Chapter 2
Adam didn't come back the next day.
My villa was large and empty; his absence barely made a difference.
Mia placed a stack of documents on my desk.
"Ms. Shaw, here's the divorce agreement you requested.
"Also, Mr. Reed transferred 15 million dollars from his private account to Summers Corporation this morning," she said.
I flipped through the agreement, not looking up. "I see."
That private account was a gift from me.
Every penny in it was money I'd earned.
Now he was using it to save his true love. How ridiculous.
"There's one more thing," Mia said, hesitating slightly.
"Spit it out," I said.
She continued, "Ms. Claire Summers is holding a press conference at the Grand Regency Hotel at three this afternoon.
"The theme is... condemning unethical businessmen and calling on society to give justice to the weak."
My hand froze mid-signature, the pen halted just above my name.
The tip of my pen pressed down, leaving a small black mark on the paper.
"Are they talking about me?" I asked.
"Yes, Ms. Shaw." Mia handed me a tablet. "This is the press release their PR team put out to promote it."
The article was a masterpiece of persuasion.
It painted her as a fragile, sweet girl, doing everything she could to save her family's company, even while sick and barely holding it together.
But she was being bullied by a cold, heartless capitalist.
That cold-blooded capitalist? Yeah, that was me.
And the guy always by her side, fighting the evil capitalist for her? Adam, of course.
In the article, Adam was a hero fighting for love.
And me? I was just the evil side character, the toxic woman blocking their happy ending.
Scoffing, I tossed the pen on the desk. "Looks like they're really working overtime to smear me."
"Ms. Shaw, should we issue a statement on our end?" Mia asked.
"No need," I replied.
I stood up and walked over to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
"What time does the press conference start?" I asked.
"Three this afternoon," Mia replied.
"Get the car ready," I said.
I was going to see for myself how the seedling I'd tended with my own hands would sprout thorns and pierce my palm.
*****
At 3 p.m., the ballroom of the Grand Regency Hotel was packed with reporters, flashbulbs popping nonstop.
Claire sat at the front, wearing a white dress, light makeup highlighting her pale, fragile face, looking every bit the poor victim.
Adam sat beside her, a guardian angel, his gaze fixed on her, filled with tenderness and worry.
It was a look he'd never given me.
I found a seat in the corner, watching quietly as the press conference began.
Claire picked up the microphone, her voice choking with tears. "Hello, everyone. I'm Claire Summers. Today, I'm here to expose someone's true colors."
She began her tearful accusations, recounting how the Summers and Shaw families had once been close, how we had been good friends.
She talked about how I, consumed by jealousy, had stolen Adam from her, and how I'd kicked the Summers family while they were down, trying to destroy them entirely while Claire was seriously ill.
Her words were so heartfelt, so tragic, that even the reporters looked sympathetic.
Cameras focused on her, and murmurs of anger and compassion filled the room.
Adam handed her a glass of water right on cue, patting her back gently to comfort her.
"Claire, don't be scared. I'm right here," he murmured.
Then he grabbed the mic, his gaze hardening. "Victoria's actions are enough to make anyone furious.
"She kept me locked up for three years with her dirty tricks, and now she's trying to drive Claire to her death.
"Today, I'm going to tear off her mask and show everyone who she really is."
He scanned the crowd, as if searching for someone.
Then his eyes landed on me.
His eyes widened for a moment, and then a cold smirk appeared on his lips.
He lifted the mic and pointed it right at me. "Everyone in the media, the vicious woman herself is here today. She's right there!"
In an instant, all the cameras turned to me, flashbulbs stabbing at me like sharp swords.
I was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, reporters swarming me like bees.
"Ms. Shaw, is what Ms. Summers said true?"
"Did you really hold Mr. Reed prisoner for three years?"
"Why are you so determined to destroy the Summers family?"
The uproar swelled into a deafening tide, threatening to shatter the ceiling with its sheer force.
But I didn't move; my expression didn't change.
I just stared at Adam on stage, watching the triumphant, vengeful glint in his eyes.
Did he really think this could ruin me? How naive.
I pushed through the crowd, walking steadily toward the podium.
The click of my high heels cut through the chaos, each step landing like a blow to Adam's heart.
His face paled more and more as I approached.
I stopped in front of him, so close I could see the panic in his eyes.
"Adam, you said I held you prisoner for three years?" I said, my voice calm but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Yes," he replied, forcing himself to sound steady, his chin raised defiantly.
"Then tell me, Adam. Where did you get all those fancy cars, that luxury villa, those designer clothes, and all that money you've been spending these past three years?" I asked.
Adam's lips moved, but no words came out.
I said coldly, "I'll answer for you. I gave them to you. You said I'm trying to kill Claire?"
I turned to Claire, who shrank back behind Adam, looking terrified. "Ms. Summers, the Southgate District land was won fair and square in a public bid.
"Your family lost because you weren't good enough. Now you're trying to slander me. Is this the Summers family's idea of good manners?"
Claire's face flushed, then paled. "You... you're lying!"
"Am I? Let the evidence speak for itself," I replied.
I pulled a document from my bag and slammed it on the podium.
"These are the official bidding records for the Southgate District project. Everything was open and transparent, and it's all registered with the notary. And this..."
The video showed Adam begging her the night before, every plea clear as day. "Victoria, please. I'll do anything if you save Claire."
The room erupted in gasps.
Reporters' cameras flickered wildly between me, Adam, and Claire.
Adam's face was beyond ashen.
He looked like he'd been drained of all strength, slumping back in his chair.
I said, every word sharp as a knife, "Adam, you used my money to bankroll your precious Claire. Now you're teaming up with her to turn on me. Tell me. Who's the real villain here?"
I turned away from him, facing the reporters. "Everyone, this farce ends here. Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., Shaw Enterprises will hold an official press conference.
"I'll give you a full explanation of my relationship with Mr. Reed and the business dispute between Shaw Enterprises and Summers Corporation."
With that, I turned and left, escorted by my bodyguards.
Behind me, Adam and Claire looked utterly defeated, their faces a mess.
A media storm was inevitable, but I didn't care.
A useless man was not worth wasting another minute on.