Chapter 4

The next morning, my phone vibrated again. It was a message from Rayna: [Cecilia, I've got everything. Your passport and bank card are with me. When are you coming out? I'll pick you up.]

I stared at the screen and typed back, [I'll take tomorrow's early flight. Please take my passport and bank card to the airport.]

Rayna replied quickly, [Alright. I'll be there on time. By the way, don't you want to tell your mom?]

I hesitated but then responded, [Not for now. I'll let her know once I settle down there to avoid worrying her.]

After sending the message, I opened another one from Desmond: [Cecilia, Simon just received the bank notification. He found out that the 100 million is missing. He's frantically calling to check the accounts. It won't be long before he traces it back to you.]

I read the message, a smile forming on my lips.

Simon must have been so surprised, so shocked. He thought I hadn't known anything all these three years. He thought I was really foolish enough to hand over every penny to him and let him do whatever he wanted with me.

I trusted him, but that didn't mean I had no backup plan.

The prenuptial agreement was prepared by my father's lawyer before his death. All it needed was my signature. That 100 million would always be mine, and he wouldn't get a penny.

For three years, I hadn't signed it because I still held onto hope. Hope that he would change his mind. I hoped that he would see how much I cared.

But now, I no longer have those illusions. So, I signed it and transferred all the money, not a single cent left behind. This was what he owed me.

About half an hour later, hurried footsteps echoed outside the door. Simon's voice rang out, clearly angry, "Cecilia, get out of here. Did you transfer the money?"

Leaning against the wall, I remained silent.

He pounded on the door, "Cecilia, answer me. Where did you transfer the 100 million?"

I closed my eyes, a smile on my face. The angrier he got, the happier I felt.

"Cecilia," He continued yelling, "Do you know how important that 100 million is to the company? I need it next week to acquire a project. You transferring the money could ruin the company."

Opening my eyes, I finally spoke, "Simon." My voice was calm. "That money belongs to me, not the company."

He paused, then grew even angrier, "Yours? These three years, I helped manage it, tripling its value. Now you say it's yours? Cecilia, aren't you being selfish?"

I laughed, "Selfish? Simon, do you have the right to call me selfish? For three years, the 100 million has been in your hands. The little amount you gave me each year barely covered the interest.

"And the rest? You used it to expand the company, didn't you? Now you tell me the company needs this money? Simon, do you really take me for a cash machine?"

Outside, silence reigned for a long while. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and filled with suppressed anger, "Cecilia, do you really want to settle things so clearly? Fine. Let's settle them.

"These three years, living in the Moran Manor, eating and using everything I provided, the supplementary card I gave you, though only worth 20 thousand, you maxed it out every month.

"Over three years, that adds up to 750 thousand, doesn't it? Also, the Serenity Garden under your name, which cost 20 million to renovate. Who paid for that?

"Cecilia, if we're going to settle accounts, let's do it properly."

I listened, laughing even louder, "Simon, how dare you. That Serenity Garden was left to me by my father. Only my name is on the deed.

"The renovation money came from my 100 million, not from you.

"As for the 20 thousand I spent each month? Simon, you can check the accounts. Half of that went into buying gifts for you. Custom suits, tie clips, cufflinks, watches, which one wasn't bought by me?

"The other half went to your mother's supplements and skincare products. Didn't you forget about that?"

Outside, Simon fell silent.

I continued, "And you say I lived off you, ate your food, used your things. Simon, haven't you noticed how much I've done for the family these three years? Whose birthday party did I organize? Whose longevity party did I prepare?

"When guests came, who entertained them until midnight? Like a housekeeper, I managed the Moran residence meticulously.

"Now you're settling accounts with me?" My voice grew colder. "Simon, don't you find yourself ridiculous?"

A loud bang came from outside, "Enough," He roared. "Cecilia, I'm asking you one question. Where did you transfer the money? Transfer it back immediately."

Sitting against the wall, my voice eerily calm, "Impossible. That money is mine. I can transfer it wherever I want. You can't stop me."

A loud thud sounded like Simon had punched the door. "Cecilia, don't push me. I'll call the police. Report you for embezzling company funds."

I laughed, "Go ahead. See who the police will arrest. Simon, I have a prenuptial agreement. I have legal proof from my lawyer and bank transaction records. That 100 million was always my personal property.

"If you dare report, I'll sue you for misappropriation of my assets. And throw in a bigamy charge. After all, you kept a mistress and got her pregnant. There's medical proof."

Outside, complete silence. After a long pause, Simon spoke, his voice low and threatening, "Cecilia, are you really tearing us apart?"

Closing my eyes, I said, "Simon. You tore us apart first, not me."

Without waiting for his response, I ignored him.

He stood outside for a long time before finally walking away.

Opening my eyes, staring into the darkness, my smile icy and cutting.

This was just the beginning. Simon thought that taking the money would end it? No, the real show was yet to come.