Chapter 3

I was like someone who'd transmigrated into this world. I had a godlike perspective. I knew exactly how the economy would unfold over the next ten years.

But for Samuel, I broke my own wings, willingly trading my ambitions for a quiet life in the kitchen, just to cook for him.

Now, I was going to mend those wings myself, restoring them one feather at a time.

"Tomorrow," I replied, my tone crisp and decisive.

After hanging up, I fired up my laptop and started tackling my work emails.

Eight years as a housewife hadn't taken away my professional skills.

In fact, running a busy home and juggling all those tricky relationships had only made me sharper and more decisive.

I skimmed through investment projects, my brain running like a well-oiled machine.

This project? The founder would end up in jail for embezzlement in a year.

That tech startup that looks so promising? Their core tech was stolen, and in three months, a huge scandal would break out.

And this one... a little-known game studio founded by Tommy Caldwell, a college kid who hadn't even graduated yet. In two years, he would launch a viral holographic game that would change the way the world experiences entertainment.

I clicked my mouse, setting aside Tommy's profile for special attention.

This was my first target.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows across the floor.

My daughter Ellie clung to my leg, tilting her face up to me. "Mommy, will Daddy come back for us?"

I gently patted her head, my voice steady and reassuring. "He will. But Ellie, remember, I'm not Mrs. Powell anymore. I'm just Mom now."

"So... we won't see Daddy anymore?" Andrew's eyes grew teary.

I crouched down, meeting his gaze.

I said, "Of course not. You'll always be his kids. It's just that Daddy and I won't be living together from now on."

I didn't want to badmouth Samuel in front of the kids. But I'd show them with my actions that we could have an even better life without him.

Meanwhile, Samuel was on the verge of a breakdown.

The company's stock was crashing, Robert was tearing into him, the board was piling on the pressure, and now the kids and I had disappeared without a trace.

Everything was closing in on him, like an airtight web with no way out.

He called in every favor, scoured the city from top to bottom, but he couldn't even find a trace of me.

My phone was switched off, my social media wiped clean, and my bank cards showed zero activity. It was as if I'd vanished from the face of the earth.

He went to my parents' house.

For the first time, my usually gentle parents turned cold toward him.

My father snapped, "Samuel, our daughter has been married to you for eight years. She's given you children, managed your household. She has worked hard for you. Is this how you treat her?

"We entrusted her to you, not so you could treat her this way. Just go. There's nothing left for us to discuss."

He slammed the door, shutting Samuel out completely.

Samuel still wouldn't give up. He tried to freeze my cards, hoping I'd have no choice but to come crawling back.

But the bank rep politely informed him, "Mr. Powell, I'm sorry, but you don't have the authority to control Ms. Giles's cards. All the cards under Ms. Giles's name are primary cards. She has her own independent credit account, and her credit score is outstanding."

Samuel was stunned. He always thought every cent I spent was his. He thought I'd be lost without his support.

He never realized how many smart investments I'd made over the years, all with the allowance he thought was just for groceries and bills.

I'd already built an unbreakable financial fortress for myself and the kids.

What an idiot. Did he really think I spent eight years as a housewife twiddling my thumbs? He couldn't can't even handle his own finances, and he thinks he can boss me around?

When one scheme failed, Samuel just came up with another.

He started reaching out to all our mutual friends, trying to get any info on where I was.

But those same friends who used to kiss up to him were now dodging him like the plague.

"Mr. Powell, we really don't know anything. You should just ask Julie yourself," one of them said.

"Samuel, no outsider can really judge a couple's private affairs. It's not our business to meddle in your marriage," another said.

When the mighty fell, everyone turned on them.

Once Samuel lost his untouchable status and his marriage scandal threatened their own interests, those so-called friends were the first to disappear.

Driven by despair, Samuel turned to Izabella.

In his eyes, she was innocent and delicate, always needing him to look out for her.

He called her up, snapping, "Where are you? Do you know where Julie went?"