Chapter 1

Five years ago, I helped the Shaw family rise again.

I became the woman quietly supporting Edward from behind.

He once said, "In this life, Rachel is the only woman I love."

However, five years later, he wanted to call off our engagement for another woman.

I agreed, but as I turned away, I secretly arranged for his downfall.

*****

Edward had spent five years abroad, working on expanding into overseas markets.

"Mr. Shaw came back yesterday afternoon with a girl. They both went to the Shaw residence," my assistant reported.

Seeing I wasn't happy about it, my assistant lowered his head and didn't dare say another word.

I waved him off in a cold tone. "Get some gifts ready. We're heading to the Shaw family residence."

After five years apart, it looked like my fiancé had fallen for someone else.

When we arrived at the Shaw residence that evening, it was dinner time.

Edward was sitting next to a girl, and as I walked in, they both got up to say hello.

I gave him a quick glance. His face was even sharper than when he was younger.

He wore a custom black suit, looking tall and distant.

I stepped in on my high heels and took a seat right across from Edward. I looked around at the people standing around with a pure, harmless smile.

I shot the girl a teasing look, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"

Edward gave a slight frown and took her hand.

He said, "This is Rachel Sinclair, and this is—"

Before he could finish, the girl cut him off with an excited look.

"I'm Sophia Grant, Edward's girlfriend," she blurted out.

I looked down at her and didn't respond, making no attempt to hide my contempt.

Turning toward Edward, whose face remained emotionless, I snorted lightly.

"Well, what a coincidence. You're his girlfriend, and I'm his fiancée," I said.

Instead of snapping back, Sophia just calmly pulled her hand away and smiled. "I know. He already told me everything."

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair, radiating an intimidating aura.

"So you know that, and you still have the nerve to call yourself his girlfriend?" I shot back.

Sophia clung to Edward's arm like she was all sweet and innocent.

"Edward had called off the engagement to you, hadn't he?" she asked.

I finally recalled something.

Yesterday, he messaged me about breaking things off.

But I wasn't about to let him off that easy. "Just because he says he wants to break off the engagement doesn't mean I'm going to roll over and take it."

I turned my gaze to Charles, Edward's father, waiting to see what he'd have to say.

Five years ago, when the Shaw Group hit rock bottom, it was my family that helped it pull through.

Without the backing from my family, Edward wouldn't have had the ability to manage the overseas expansion himself.

Seeing how tense things had gotten, Charles immediately said, "Rachel, have you eaten yet? Would you like to join us?"

"Sure," I replied sweetly and pushed a plate of shrimp to Sophia. "Miss Grant, would you mind peeling these for me?"

Edward glared at me and shoved the shrimp right back, his eyes full of annoyance. "Sophia isn't your maid. If you want shrimp, peel them yourself," he snapped.

I leaned on the table, propped up my chin with one hand, wearing a smile. "If she can't do it, how about you do it?"

Charles kept giving Edward warnings with his glare. Finally, with his jaw tight, Edward loosened his fists, let out a quiet sigh, and started to peel the shrimp.

Before long, a plate of perfectly peeled shrimp appeared before me, neatly arranged in a circle.

I picked up the plate, stood up, and walked to Edward. Lifting it high above his head, I dumped the whole plate of shrimp straight over him, sending them tumbling all over the floor.

Sophia screamed and instantly scrambled for some tissues, frantically wiping the oil off his face.

I bent down, whispering coldly into his ear, "No matter how high and mighty you think you are, piss me off, and I'll end your career myself."

As I looked up, I saw Sophia's glare. She was grinding her teeth with rage.

"Keep staring, and I'll dig your eyeballs out," I spat.

I raised two fingers and made an exaggerated digging motion before her eyes.

Edward grabbed my wrist and snapped, "Rachel, you're going too far."

I jerked my arm free from his grip.

Picking up his soup bowl, I took a sip, savoring the taste. Then I said, "Mess with my stuff, and you get exactly what's coming to you."

I straightened up, swept my gaze over everyone in the Shaw family, gave a polite nod, and then turned and walked out.

On the ride back, my assistant gave me a full rundown of Edward's time abroad and how his business had grown.

I idly fiddled with my watch, eyes drifting over the scenery outside, letting out a sigh.

I murmured to myself, "Five years is plenty of time for someone's heart to change."

Sophia was a girl the Shaw family had bankrolled. She had to juggle classes and part-time jobs when she was studying abroad.

This whole time, Edward had kept in touch with her.

Her genuine nature and determination slowly pulled him in, and before long, the two of them naturally ended up together.

But she never really was a pure girl.

I tossed the file aside, thinking Edward really was blind and stupid.

The Shaw family's attitude today was disappointing, too.

I've let them off the hook for too long. It's about time I put them in their place.