Chapter 1

"Ahh… mmh… ngh…"

A low, breathy moan filled the room.

Fingers traced over the skin of sleeping Antonio, dragging lightly across his chest and sending a jolt through his body.

"Aahh…nghh..."

Antonio's eyes flew open from his sleep.

For a moment, he was disoriented.

Almost immediately, he realized what was happening—Elaine was on top of him.

Nothing on her. She was completely naked.

What...? How....?

For years, Antonio had yearned for the affection of his wife, Elaine.

He endured both her coldness and the humiliation of being regarded as worthless.

And now she who had refused to share a bed with him for three years, was straddling him with her body pressed against his in ways she had never permitted before.

Her swollen lips parted, trembling as she moved, with her moans escaping in growing intensity.

"Elaine…" His voice was hoarse and uneven. "What are you doing?"

Elaine just leaned closer, trailing slow, deliberate kisses along his jaw with her hands sliding over his chest.

Her body moved with practiced ease, igniting sensations he had long since given up hope of experiencing with her.

"I want you.." she murmured against his ear seductively.

Hearing this, Antonio couldn't help himself any longer.

He rolled over and pinned her down.

Every inch of her wrapped around him in a hot way that was both exhilarating and completely disorienting.

Elaine screamed as she reached her climax, and Antonio was right behind her.

Just as it exploded, he heard Elaine moan a name.

"Harry!"

The name cut through the haze like a blade, and Antonio instantly stiffened with his entire body turning to ice on her.

Harry Gibson?

The name Elaine moaned belonged to the man she had loved before their marriage—the one she had broken up with years ago and who had just returned yesterday.

Antonio felt like he had been stabbed from the inside.

After they got married, Antonio handed over the management of his business empire to others so that Elaine could focus on building her own career.

He shifted his priorities to their family.

And to all to protect her pride, he supported her from behind the scenes while ensuring her company thrived without her ever knowing the extent of his help.

But his sacrifices, his patience, had all been in vain!

Tonight, Elaine hadn't come to him out of love.

She had come to him because she had mistaken him for someone else.

Because, in her mind, she was with Harry Gibson!

Antonio's heart sank.

He looked at her and felt nothing but disgust.

Without a word, he turned and walked out of their bedroom.

***

Antonio, asleep on the living room couch, was jolted awake by a splash of water on his face.

Elaine's sharp voice cut through the silence.

"You asshole—! What did you do to me?!" She screamed.

Antonio wiped the water off, staring in confusion at his "dear" wife.

"You drugged me, didn't you?!" Elaine spat.

Her voice choked with fury as she clutched her head. "You forced yourself on me while I was unconscious!"

Antonio felt like he had been slapped.

"What the hell are you talking about?" His voice was low and dangerously steady, "Do you even hear yourself? You came to me last night! You climbed into my bed, you touched me, you—!"

"Impossible!" she shot back.

Antonio exhaled sharply. "If I was the monster you're painting me as, why would I have waited three years? Have I ever forced you? Even once?!"

She didn't buy it. "Maybe you've just been waiting to take advantage of me all these years. So stop playing innocent!"

Antonio let out a sharp, humorless laugh.

"You completely forgot about last night, didn't you? So you don't remember moaning another man's name either?"

Elaine sucked in a breath.

"Tell me, Elaine…" Antonio's gaze was ice-cold. "When exactly did I drug you? Before or after you were calling out for Harry?"

Elaine's face went pale.

For the first time since their marriage, she looked genuinely caught off guard.

But the next second, she grabbed the glass in her hand and hurled it at him.

Antonio dodged just in time, and the glass shattered against the wall.

"You lying bastard!"

Elaine glared at him, panting, her eyes filled with nothing but disdain and contempt.

"I don't believe any single word you say! You went to such great lengths to deceive me, all because you wanted to have a child with me, didn't you? Did you really think having a baby would make me love you?"

"Forget it. Let me tell you- I already took emergency contraception!"

She swept her gaze over Antonio from head to toe, a twisted, furious smile curling on her lips.

"I would never have a child with a worthless man like you!"

"No child of mine would ever inherit defective genes like yours."

"You're unbelievable," Antonio muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.

"After everything I've done for you, this is still how you see me?"

Elaine let out a cold laugh. "And what exactly have you done? Other than playing the obedient dog at home, have you ever been useful?"

"At least Harry has money. He can bring real benefits to my company. And you? You're nothing."

Antonio exhaled sharply, stepping back.

"If you said so, Elaine." He said in an eerily calm voice, "Let's get a divorce."

The words hung in the air and Elaine's face twisted in disbelief.

"What did you just say?"

Then she just burst into laughter.

"Don't think I'll take you seriously, you piece of shit. How dare you divorce me?"

Chapter 2

"You're only saying this just because you want to provoke me, don't you?" Elaine sneered, rolling her eyes.

"Don't act like some emotional little girl, throwing around divorce just because you're jealous? It only makes you look pathetic."

She genuinely believed Antonio would never actually divorce her.

A loser like him? Who was he without her? Nothing!

Being married to her was the best thing that had ever happened to him. What more could he possibly want?

So even though she called out another man's name in bed, so what? It wasn't a big deal. That was normal… right?

But Antonio didn't react the way she expected. He didn't even flinch.

He simply threw a stack of papers on the table. Papers he had spent the whole night preparing.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were dead serious.

"These are the divorce papers."

Elaine searched Antonio's face, expecting to see hesitation or fear. But there was nothing.

His cold, distant eyes stared back at her, void of any warmth.

Elaine frowned slightly, then let out an exaggerated laugh.

"Oh, come on. You even prepared a real paper to scare me?"

She scoffed.

"You should be grateful that I even let you be in my life for these past three years. I'm the only reason you're now living in luxury!"

"The only reason I married you was because Harry broke up with me. Now that he's back, you should be thanking me for not divorcing you on the spot! And you dare to threaten me?!"

Antonio chuckled, but there wasn't a trace of humor in his voice.

"I thought you married me for love. Just like you said you did."

"All these years, I supported you from the shadows without a single complaint. I helped secure resources for your company behind the scenes."

"When you worked late into the night, I brought you food, massaged your tired shoulders."

"I never cared about living in luxury. If I wanted that, I could have had it any time. What I cared about was you."

He said, shook his head.

Elaine had never even come close to the level of wealth he possessed.

He had intended to reveal his true identity to Elaine soon, believing that as his wife, she deserved to know so he could give her the life she desired.

But of course, now, that was no longer possible.

Elaine looked at him with pure disdain, her expression twisted with mockery.

"Still talking big? All the reasons you marry me aren't just for money?!"

She snatched the divorce papers off the table and scribbled her name carelessly.

"Here you go, darling. Everything's prepared." She pushed the papers toward Antonio with a look of triumph. "Let's see if you're really as dead set on divorce as you pretend to be."

"After all, you won't get a penny if you divorce me, right?"

Her face lit up with triumph, convinced he was bluffing—that he'd back down at the last second.

But to her shock, Antonio didn't even blink. He picked up the pen and signed his name in bold, precise strokes.

Elaine stared at him, stunned, waiting for hesitation, for regret, for anything. But he didn't falter. Not once.

"It's done," Antonio said calmly as he finished signing. "We're officially over."

Elaine stood frozen in place, unable to process what had just happened.

She never thought he'd actually go through with it.

A strange uneasiness crept in her chest. She found herself recalling all the moments Antonio had cared for her over the past three years.

After a long second of silence, Elaine tried to salvage her pride.

She sneered—but her voice, for some reason, came out rough and trembling.

"You made a huge mistake! Don't think you can blackmail me for this divorce!"

"You'll come crawling back, begging for another chance back to this richness! You'll regret it!"

Antonio didn't flinch. His gaze remained steady, piercing through her arrogance like a blade.

"I don't want a penny from you."

"And Elaine, you're the one who will regret it."

He turned around and walked away without looking back.

He had no idea that behind him, Elaine stood frozen, still trembling ever so slightly, wondering if she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.

Antonio stepped out of the house, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.

"I'm ready to go home," he said.

Less than five minutes, a sleek, limited-edition luxury limousine pulled up in front of him.

The car door opened, and an elderly man, flanked by two suited bodyguards, stepped out.

The elderly man wore a simple black suit. But the cut and the fabric all screamed money and power in the quietest, deadliest way possible.

Even more striking was the presence he carried. Every movement radiated unshakable authority. Didn't need to know his name to understand one thing, this man was someone people didn't say no to.

As he approached Antonio, something unexpected happened.

A glint of emotion flickered in the man's eyes. Something softer.

And suddenly, the weight of his power dropped away. He bowed. Deeply to Antonio.

"Young Master Antonio, it's been too long. Welcome home."

Antonio didn't say a word. He just gave a small nod.

The suited man straightened up and reached into his inner jacket pocket.

From it, he produced a sleek, black platinum card. He offered it with both hands like it was a holy relic.

"This card contains a balance of thirty billion dollars," he said. "Your assets and accounts have been fully reinstated. The family board has been informed. You're back in control."

Chapter 3

"Yes, Charles, it has been a while." A faint, nostalgic smile played on Antonio's lips as he looked at his old butler.

His fingers brushed against the edge of the black platinum card as he drifted into deep thought.

Three years ago, as the sole heir to the Morris family empire, Antonio had once been hailed as a genius.

His grandfather had entrusted him with the family's massive fortune early on, putting him through every trial to sharpen him into a true leader.

But none of it mattered the day his mother died.

It was sudden and unexplained.

The official reports claimed it was an accident, but Antonio had never believed it.

There were too many loose ends and too many details that didn't add up.

The kind of inconsistencies that only screamed one thing—someone had silenced her.

So he came to Gelrith City for the truth, where he met Elaine.

Elaine had been like a fire.

A woman who had made him believe in a different life.

For her, Antonio walked away from Vena City and everything the Morris name stood for.

He used his brilliance to build her up.

She and her family thrived under his unseen hand.

He never asked or needed for credit.

His grandfather had never tried to stop him, just left him with a single promise:

"If you ever change your mind, the family will be waiting."

Antonio had once thought he would never need to return.

But now?

Now, he knew he had been living in an illusion.

Elaine had never loved him.

She had only used him as a replacement when Harry had left.

And the cruelest joke was that she believed he'd married her for money.

As he stood in silence, Charles finally broke it.

"Young Master, shall I make arrangements for your return to Vena City? The family is ready for you to take your seat again."

Antonio shook his head slowly.

"No, not yet."

His investigation into his mother's death had revealed something chilling.

His mother's killer wasn't some outsider.

It was someone inside the family.

Yet, he still didn't know who this person was.

Returning too soon would only tip them off.

"I will stay in Gerilth City for a while." Antonio said.

He didn't explain, though he suspected Charles already had an idea.

Because Charles just simply gave a slight nod, then discreetly signaled to a bodyguard, who stepped forward and presented a thick envelope.

Charles handed it over personally.

It was a new contract.

"Young Master," Charles said, "since you've decided to remain in Gerilth, the Morris Group's Gelrith City branch is now under your control."

Antonio took it, and Charles motioned toward the car.

"Shall I take you to the office?"

Antonio shook his head.

"No. I'll walk."

He needed air to clear his mind.

The divorce, the betrayal.

It all still hung heavy on his shoulders.

Charles hesitated for a beat, then nodded with a trace of concern.

"Understood, sir."

He returned to the car, and within seconds, the vehicle slipped away from the curb in silence, vanishing like it had never been there at all.

Antonio hadn't taken more than a few steps when he suddenly heard the unmistakable roar of another engine.

A fancy sports car screeched to a halt just a few feet away.

The driver's door swung open, and to Antonio's surprise, it was Harry Gibson who stepped out!

Upon seeing Antonio, Harry let out a loud, mocking laugh.

"Look who we have here! The shameless husband!"

"You're still here clinging on? Don't you find yourself disgusting?"

Antonio frowned slightly, his expression unreadable.

Elaine might be fooled by Harry, but Antonio had his own ways of finding out the truth of this guy.

Harry was a gambling addict—through and through.

That so-called business abroad a few years ago? Just a cover story.

The real reason he left the country was because he was on the run from debt collectors.

Antonio had no interest in wasting his breath on a pathetic fool like Harry Gibson.

He didn't bother responding.

Instead, he stepped around Harry, ready to leave.

Some people weren't worth a second of attention, and Harry was the perfect example.

He was just a worthless, washed-up loser grasping at straws to feel important.

But Harry followed him like an annoying fruit fly.

The playboy smirked, hands stuffed in his pockets as he swaggered closer.

"When are you gonna stop leeching off her like a damn parasite?"

"If Elaine hadn't taken pity on you, you'd still be curled up on a park bench!"

"I came back to save her from the mess! And trust me, I'm counting the days till she wakes up and boots your sorry ass out of her life for good. It won't take long."

Chapter 4

Antonio narrowed his eyes without meaning to.

It sounded like Harry had planned this all along.

He stopped in his tracks, studying the guy closely.

His gaze sharpened as it landed on a faint bruise along Harry's jawline.

Antonio's frown deepened as Harry's injuries became more apparent.

His swollen cheekbone, the faint bruising under his eye, and the slight wince as he shifted his stance.

He halted. A smirk on his lip when he turned to Harry.

"Looks like someone had a tough night," Antonio remarked, tilting his head.

"Let me guess, debt collectors finally caught up with you?"

Harry stiffened.

"What are you talking about?"

"I came back this time to close a deal with the Bellagio Group!"

He tried to sound calm, but Antonio could see right through the act.

Antonio let out a low smile, shaking his head in mock pity.

"A deal with Bellagio? No way."

"You really think no one would find out you're just a gambling addict drowning in debt?"

"Are you really back for Elaine… or for her money?"

"Think about it. What do you think she'll do when she finds out? You still think you'll get what you came for?"

Harry clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with a mix of fury and malice.

He took a step forward, fists tightening at his sides, like he was one second away from throwing a punch.

But then, just as quickly, a glint of cunning flashed across his face.

He forced a smile.

"So what? You think Elaine's going to believe you?"

"She's going to believe a worthless nobody like you… or the perfect man standing in front of her?"

Before Antonio said anything, the very next second, out of nowhere, Harry let out an exaggerated scream of pain.

"Ahh!"

What the hell?

Antonio frowned hard, clearly confused.

Just then, a sharp voice sliced through the tension in the air.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

Harry doubled over, clutching his face dramatically.

Antonio turned his head and saw Elaine storming out of the house.

She looked shocked and furious, striding toward them with quick, angry steps.

Oh.

It was clear Harry had seen Elaine coming out of the house before anyone else did—and decided to put on a show.

Before she could even say a word, Harry stumbled a little, wearing an expression so pitiful it was almost laughable.

"Elaine..." Harry's voice trembled as he touched the side of his face.

"I dropped by to see you... and I bumped into your husband here."

"I was just trying to say hi, but he just suddenly punched me!"

"W-Why is that? Does he always treat you like this? Is that what you've been suffering, Elaine?"

Elaine's eyes widened as she turned to Antonio.

"You did what?!"

Antonio scoffed.

"Are you actually believing this nonsense?"

"You're seriously trying to say you didn't hit him?! Are you telling me Harry's the kind of guy who would just make something like this up?" Elaine shot back.

She walked up to Harry.

Her expression twisted with concern and guilt as she gently cupped his face, trying to check for injuries.

But Harry recoiled dramatically, flinching as if she might hurt him too.

Well, how could he let her look at it?

Anyone with eyes could tell the bruises weren't fresh.

A closer look and it'd be obvious.

He let out a weak, dramatic sigh and pressed his fingers against the bruise like he was on the verge of tears.

"I'm fine, Elaine. Don't worry about me. "

"Maybe you should go check on your husband. He punched me pretty hard. Who knows, maybe he hurt his hand too."

Harry added, all innocent-like, as if he actually gave a damn.

Antonio just stared at him, honestly impressed Harry had the nerve to dive that deep into shamelessness.

Is that seriously how he plays innocent in front of Elaine?

And she actually bought it?

"He's not my husband anymore. We're divorced!" Elaine hissed through clenched teeth.

"Divorced?" Harry echoed, his lips twitching in what he tried to hide as surprise.

But it was a giddy, barely-contained triumph.

Perfect. Now he could finally put his plan into motion.

But Elaine didn't notice the flicker of joy on Harry's face.

All her attention had already shifted to Antonio.

Her fists clenched, eyes burning with fury as she marched toward him.

"I can't believe you hit Harry! This is between you and me! Why did you do that!"

"Did I?" Antonio asked, "He says a word, and you just believe it?"

"Of course! Or who else I believe? You? Don't be ridiculous!"

Elaine pointed at him fiercely.

"You know what? I was actually thinking of being nice to you, maybe even giving you some sort of compensation because of our history!"

"But you've gone too far! Way too far! You're just gonna take out all your anger on an innocent person like that?!"

"Innocent?" Antonio let out a cold laugh. "Why don't you ask him yourself just how innocent he really is?"

Chapter 5

"Enough!" Elaine snapped. "I don't want to hear another word out of you!"

Out of Elaine's sight, Harry's eyes flickered with a flash of real panic, like he was genuinely worried his little scheme might get exposed.

But he quickly smoothed it over, slipping right back into that fake, pitiful expression.

"It's okay, Elaine," Harry said, his voice full of forced compassion.

"He's probably just furious about the divorce, lashing out because he's got nowhere else to dump all that anger."

"After all, he won't be able to spend your money or live off you anymore."

"If he wants to accuse me, let him. If he wants to hit me, fine. As long as he takes it out on me and not on you, I can deal with it!"

Antonio locked his eyes on Harry.

This guy was downright disgusting.

"Accuse you?" He said to Harry, letting out a cold chuckle. "Hit you？"

Antonio shook his head in resignation.

Then, in one fluid motion, he struck.

Fast, clean, and brutal.

PUM—

His fist slammed straight into Harry's nose.

"AHHH!"

This time, Harry let out a scream that was all too real.

A sickening crack echoed through the air as his nose snapped like dry wood, blood gushing down his face in streams.

"Now," Antonio said coolly, slipping his hands back into his pockets and taking two casual steps back, a faint smile tugging at his lips,

"That's what it looks like when I actually hit you."

Harry collapsed to his knees.

In that instant, the coward who'd been playing innocent finally snapped, eyes wild like he wanted to rip Antonio apart with his bare hands.

But... he hesitated.

The fear flickered in his eyes.

Deep down, he knew he couldn't take Antonio.

Hell, he hadn't even seen the punch coming.

Elaine let out a high, panicked scream and lunged forward, phone already in hand.

"How dare you do that in front of me!" she hissed. "Harry, we can't let this lowlife get away with it—I'm calling the police!"

"And you, Antonio! Seems like you won't rest until you're taught a lesson. Hope you're ready to rot in prison!"

Antonio narrowed his eyes, arms crossed, completely unfazed.

He didn't move an inch.

The one who panicked instead was Harry.

"No, no, no, that's not necessary!"

"Elaine, let's just let it go," Harry said quickly. "It's just a scratch. Not worth the trouble."

"Your lowlife ex is probably just lashing out because he couldn't handle sucking your blood. I don't blame him."

There was no way Harry could let this go to the cops.

If she really made that call, he'd be the one in serious trouble.

All his debts would be laid bare right in front of the police and Elaine!

His top priority now was to stop Elaine from dialing.

But Elaine misunderstood.

She thought he was being noble and forgiving.

"Are you sure, Harry? We should teach this snake a lesson!"

"It's really no big deal, Elaine," Harry said smoothly. "After all, I'm about to close a deal with the Bellagio Group. That'll elevate me to a whole new level. Arguing with him would just be beneath me."

"You done?" Antonio asked flatly. "Because if so, I'm leaving."

Elaine stepped in front of him.

"You're not going anywhere! You think this ends here? Harry's too good to stoop to your level, but I will stand up for him."

"Apologize to him. Now!"

"Apologize?" Antonio gave a cold, joyless laugh. "To him? Not a chance. He doesn't deserve it."

"You—!" Elaine's fury boiled over.

She raised her hand and—

Slapped Antonio hard across the face!

"I never imagined you'd be this vile," she spat, her voice shaking with rage. "I thought you were just poor, but at least decent."

"You hid it well, didn't you? You've been pretending this whole damn time! "

"From everything you did last night and just now, I finally see you for who you really are! The real you is even worse than I imagined!"

"You're despicable, pathetic, disgusting!"

Antonio touched his cheek where the slap had landed.

For a second, he looked stunned.

Then his expression shifted into something bitter and ice cold.

"If you'd rather believe in your 'precious perfect Harry', then go ahead." he said quietly, his eyes locked on Elaine's.

"Just don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.

Behind him, he heard Elaine shout:

"Best you disappear for good! You lying bastard!"

Antonio didn't waste a second on a reply.

He had better things to do.

Not long, Antonio arrived at the Vena City branch of the Bellagio Group.

The building was iconic.

Its towering glass skyscraper gleamed in the sunlight, a symbol of power and prestige.

Despite being just a branch company of his family, it was already one of the city's top enterprises.

That's exactly why Antonio found it laughable when Harry claimed he was working with the Bellagio Group.

Because this was his turf.

Antonio pushed through the grand revolving doors and stepped inside.

At the front desk, a young woman sat behind an immaculate marble counter with her polished nails tapping against the keyboard.

She glanced up briefly, and her gaze swept over Antonio's cheap, wrinkled clothing.

He had no mood to change it after what it had been today.

Disdain immediately flickered in her eyes.

"Can I help you?" she asked impatiently.

"I need to see the general manager," Antonio replied simply.

The receptionist scoffed.

"Seriously? Look at you. We have a dress code. Our janitors dress better than you."

Antonio remained unfazed. "Just give her a call, she'd be glad to see me."

The receptionist let out a dry laugh, shoved the keyboard aside, and gave him a slow once-over, eyes dripping with disdain.

"This is Bellagio Group! Do you think you can just walk in and demand a meeting with the general manager?"

"Security, escort this garbage out! We don't let beggars loiter around here!"

Chapter 6

Just as the two burly guards began to step forward, Antonio didn't flinch.

Clearly, they had no idea who he was.

If they did, they'd be bowing, not barking.

He casually extended a hand, stopping the guards.

Clara watched with a mocking smile, but to her surprise, the guards actually froze in place.

"What the hell...?" Clara frowned slightly.

What she didn't realize was that, in that brief moment, a powerful aura had erupted from the man, so overwhelming that the guards didn't dare to disobey.

Calmly, Antonio turned to Clara again.

"You'd better contact your general manager right away," Antonio said. "If I'm the one who ends up calling her, it might be too late. And that won't be good for you."

Clara arched a brow and a faint smirk tugged at her lips.

The audacity! A man dressed like that, still insisting on seeing her boss?

She didn't know who he was, but she was sure of one thing.

He couldn't be much different from the drifters she passed on her way to work.

"Hilarious! Who do you think you are?!" Clara said, staring at Antonio as if he were a lunatic.

Antonio took a step forward, unbothered.

"Antonio. Just tell her my name. She'll want to hear that."

Upon hearing the name "Antonio", Clara was surprised.

That name rang a bell.

She remembered that her cousin, Harry, had once mentioned the name "Antonio" to her.

She tried to take a closer look at Antonio.

Wasn't he the husband of Elaine, the rich woman Harry was always talking about?

Harry had mentioned that she could give him a ton of money and help his whole family live the good life again—except for one small problem: her husband.

Oh, right, the guy standing in front of him now.

"Antonio. Oh. You. " Clara sneered.

Now it clicked.

Clara gave Antonio another once-over, from head to toe, barely hiding her amusement.

No idea what Harry's so worried about.

How could Antonio be even a problem.

Hell, he wasn't even in the same league as Harry. Not even close.

"For god's sake! I don't know how a woman like Elaine puts up with trash like you."

"But hey, it won't be long now. My cousin's coming back! Elaine's gonna drop you the moment she sees what a real man looks like."

"Your cousin? Harry?"

Antonio raised an eyebrow.

The realization clicked into place.

He'd heard Harry had a cousin.

It looked like entitlement ran in the family.

Clara flashed a sly grin.

"Damn right. Harry's my cousin."

"Oh, and just so you know, he's about to close a massive deal with Bellagio Group."

"Once that's done, he'll be soaring to the top, so am I… while you languish in that pathetic hole you came from."

Hearing this, Antonio let out a cold chuckle.

"You're awfully confident in Harry, right?" Antonio said, tilting his head slightly. "Are you sure he can secure this partnership?"

"Who else can? You? " Clara scoffed, "You're not even worthy of wiping your face with the rugs in this place."

How could she even know, Antonio held the final say in Bellagio Group's affairs.

She only spoke so boldly about a deal he alone had the power to approve.

"Interesting," Antonio murmured with a smirk, "Let's see how he secures the contract, and how you soar to the top."

"I just have a piece of advice to you: Better watch your mouth."

"Keep talking recklessly, and you might find yourself out of your job."

Clara's smile vanished.

"Are you threatening me?"

Antonio didn't flinch.

"I don't make threats. I state facts."

"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Clara smacked her lips in annoyance, then turned and shouted at the security guards who had already gathered.

"Hey! Get this clown out of here," she snapped. "This worthless pest is disrupting the peace and dignity of this company!"

More guards arrived on the scene, eyed Antonio with clear disdain.

None of them recognized Antonio.

Why would they?

He'd always kept a low profile, handling company matters remotely through emails and calls, never setting foot in the building.

The guards were about to grab Antonio by the arms when his phone rang.

Unfazed, Antonio reached into his pocket and calmly answered the call.

"Antonio, you're late! Where are you?"

A familiar female voice came through the speaker.

Professional, yet laced with a playful edge that made Antonio's lips curl into a faint smile.

"I'm downstairs,"

Antonio replied in his usual composed tone.

"The receptionist won't let me up."

"What?... Don't worry, I'll be right there."

Antonio ended the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket as if nothing had happened.

Clara scoffed loudly.

"Wow. Really? Are you faking a call? Who were you pretending to talk to?"

Antonio slid his hands into his pockets, glancing at her sideways, and then he said flatly,

"The CEO of Bellagio Group."

At this, Clara burst into loud laughter.

"The CEO of Bellagio Group?? Do you even know who she is?!"

She turned to the security guards.

"Guys, did you hear that? He says he's talking to the CEO of Bellagio Group?!"

"Oh my god, he shouldn't just be kicked out. This guy has delusions! He should be sent straight to a mental hospital!"

The security guards laughed along with her.

Clara waved her hand impatiently.

"Just get this trash out of here as soon as possible, before he causes more trouble."

Just as the guards were about to push Antonio out, the clicking of high heels echoed through the lobby.

A woman entered—tall, poised, and breathtakingly elegant.

She was dressed in an impeccable navy-blue suit with her long, dark hair flowing smoothly down her back.

Her sharp, captivating features carried an air of authority that made everyone instinctively straighten up.

The woman was Cynthia Morris, the CEO of Bellagio Group!

Chapter 7

The moment Clara saw Cynthia, she sprang to her feet and bowed respectfully.

She couldn't have asked for a better timing.

The CEO's arrival was perfect! She would handle Antonio in the most fitting way!

Wasting no time, Clara gestured toward Antonio as if exposing a criminal.

"Miss Cynthia! This man refuses to leave the premises and has been making threatening statements. I was just about to have him thrown out."

Jack and the other security guards straightened up, nodding in agreement.

They were confident Cynthia would issue an even stricter order against Antonio without hesitation.

Cynthia's piercing eyes flickered over Clara before settling on Antonio.

Then, to everyone's shock, her expression softened with warmth as she smiled,

"Mr. Antonio, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."

A stunned silence filled the room.

Clara looked stunned.

Was the CEO missing something?

This idiot had been causing a scene just moments ago, and now she was apologizing to him?

Clearly, she didn't know who he really was.

Clara felt compelled to set the record straight.

"Miss Cynthia, you must be mistaking this man for someone else!"

"You don't know him! He's a complete nuisance who's been causing a scene since before you came down."

"He's just some clueless lowlife who probably snuck in off the streets. That's why I told the guards to throw him out—before a real client walks in and sees him!"

"Oh, really?" Cynthia said coolly.

Clara straightened, nodding quickly.

The security guards behind her did the same, clearly backing her up.

Cynthia's expression remained unreadable as her eyes fixed on Clara.

"So… you're the one who stopped him from going upstairs?"

Clara lifted her chin, smiling proudly.

"Yes, ma'am. That was me. I couldn't just let him tarnish the company's image."

She beamed, clearly expecting praise.

Maybe even a promotion for doing this.

"I see," Cynthia said quietly.

Then her eyes turned icy cold.

The next second, a sharp slap landed hard across Clara's face.

"How dare you talk to him like that?!" Cynthia's voice is sharp like a blade.

"Antonio is so nice. He can tolerate your nonsense, but I can't!"

"Apologize to him!"

The color drained from Clara's face as she clutched her cheek in disbelief, the spot already starting to swell.

"Wait—what?!"

Cynthia's sharp gaze snapped to her.

"Am I not clear? Apologize to him! Now!"

Clara's smugness crumbled into desperation.

She couldn't believe her ears.

"Miss Cynthia, you don't understand! This man…He's a nobody! He's just some fraud! Did you mean to say—"

SMACK!

Another slap on Clara's face.

Clara didn't dare say another word now.

She saw Cynthia's glare, felt like it could sew her mouth shut.

She dropped to the floor, trembling as she faced Antonio.

"I... I'm sorry..."

Cynthia shifted her gaze to the security guards and pointed directly at Clara.

"She's fired. Throw her out!"

Clara turned to Antonio with her eyes wide with disbelief.

She couldn't believe Antonio was someone important.

She collapsed at Cynthia's feet and her fingers clutched desperately at the hem of her sleek designer heels in panic.

"No Ma'am! This must be a mistake! You can't fire me over him! I'm Harry Gibson's cousin!" Clara's voice shrieked in desperation but Cynthia barely spared her a glance.

Clara believed that Harry's upcoming partnership with Bellagio Group would boost her standing and help her gain favor.

If Cynthia knew Clara was connected to Harry Gibson, her attitude might just shift.

After all, the deal with Bellagio Group was nearly finalized.

It was just a matter of time.

"Who cares?" Cynthia replied coldly.

Those shocked security guards, now fully aware that Cynthia meant every word, stepped forward without a hint of hesitation.

Their firm hands latched onto Clara's arms, hoisting her up as she kicked and squirmed.

"Please, ma'am," she sobbed. "Forgive me...I don't know! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry! Antonio! Please!"

But her pleas shattered against Cynthia's cold indifference.

The guards didn't stop, and her protests faded as she was forcibly removed from the building.

After she had been successfully kicked out, Cynthia turned to Antonio with a professional smile.

"Shall we?"

Antonio gave a slight nod, and together they walked past the stunned security guards, heading toward the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed behind them, Cynthia's composed demeanor melted into enthusiasm.

"Antonio!"

She didn't bother with a handshake—she threw her arms around him instead. "It's really you! Took you long enough. I've missed you so much."

Antonio chuckled as he returned the hug. "I missed you too, troublemaker."

She pulled back slightly, grinning up at him. "If I'd known you were coming today, I would've marched down and dragged you up myself. Come on— we have so much to catch up on."

As they walked toward the elevator, Cynthia clung to Antonio's arm like a child who had finally reunited with an older brother after years of separation.

Cynthia had been adopted into Antonio's family when she was young and she had always looked up to him.

To her, Antonio was more than just a brother—he was her role model, her protector, and the only man who had ever truly mattered to her.

But to Antonio, she was just his little sister.

Antonio glanced at her with his expression softening. "I know. I should've come back sooner."

Cynthia pouted. "You should have! Do you know how boring it is here without you? No one to tease me, no one to look after me…"

Antonio chuckled, patting her head. "You've been doing just fine without me."

She shook her head. "No, I haven't." Then, suddenly, she brightened. "But that doesn't matter now! I have a surprise for you."

Antonio raised an eyebrow.

"A surprise?"

Chapter 8

Within seconds, Cynthia strutted out holding a stunning outfit draped over her arm.

"I had this tailored just for you," she said, beaming like she'd just won an award.

Antonio eyed the outfit.

The tux was sharp.

Jet-black with subtle gold embroidery, paired with a crisp white shirt and polished black dress shoes.

"Tonight, you're coming with me to the Bellagio Group's charity gala,"

Antonio raised an eyebrow, smiling.

"You know these events aren't really my scene."

And he wasn't wrong.

This wasn't just any party.

It was THE party.

The Bellagio Group's events were where the city's elite gathered.

Getting an invite was like being handed a golden ticket.

Antonio didn't care for the spotlight.

Especially not the blinding kind that came with a red carpet and paparazzi.

"Come on," Cynthia pleaded, eyes wide. "Just be my plus one, pretty please?"

Antonio sighed.

Cynthia was like a little sister to him.

He could never say no when she turned on the charm.

Against his better judgment, he gave her a nod and reached for the tux.

When he stepped in front of the mirror, even he had to admit - damn, he looked good.

The tailored tux hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, accentuating his sharp features and his undeniable aura of authority.

His dark hair was neatly styled, and the golden embroidery shimmered under the light, making him look like a man born for power.

Cynthia practically lit up beside him.

"You look gorgeous," she said, eyes wide with pride.

Antonio ran a hand through his freshly styled hair with a half-smile.

"A jacket and jeans suit me better."

They left the company and stepped into a luxury car which headed to Celestine Hall, one of the most extravagant event venues in Gelrith City.

The hall was renowned for hosting the grandest social events, and tonight was no exception.

The event was meticulously organized by Bellagio Group's Elite Events Department, the company's specialized division that handled luxury functions.

The hall was adorned with glittering chandeliers, red carpets, and golden floral arrangements that screamed wealth and prestige.

As their car pulled up, the flashing lights of paparazzi cameras filled the air.

Reporters eagerly surrounded the entrance, capturing the arrivals of the city's elite.

Just as Antonio was about to step out, his eyes caught sight of another luxury car arriving in front of them.

The doors opened, and a stunning woman stepped out.

The crowd gasped.

The woman was Elaine, Antonio's ex-wife.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, dressed in an off-shoulder crimson gown that hugged her figure perfectly.

Her long, flowing hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her red lips curved into a practiced, elegant smile.

The cameras flashed wildly, capturing every angle of her dazzling appearance.

Most of the guests were already aware of Elaine's divorce, as she had publicly announced it on her social media shortly after signing the divorce papers.

"Did you see the post? It's all over Insta—#ElaineUnchained. Divorce confirmed just hours ago!"

"Oh, really? I can see she is now finally free and glowing!"

Shortly after, another figure stepped out beside Elaine—tall, confident, with a smug smile playing on his lips.

It was Harry Gibson.

The moment people recognized him, the atmosphere shifted instantly.

The murmurs turned into a roar of excitement.

"Harry Gibson! That's him!"

"The man who's about to seal the deal with Bellagio Group!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

The rumours were already everywhere that Harry was just about to seal a deal with Bellagio Group.

"Look who's by his side… Elaine Greene. I mean, look at them! Power couple goals!"

"Elaine really upgraded, huh? From that loser to this?"

And just as the cheering reached its peak, another car pulled up behind them.

The door opened, and Antonio stepped out.

There was a brief silence before it was quickly drowned out by murmurs—this time, not of admiration.

"Wait a second… is that…?"

"Oh my god. That's her ex-husband."

"No way. He had the nerve to show his face here?"

"Unbelievable. What's he even doing here? Looking for scraps?"

"Maybe he's working tonight—probably valet or something."

"No, no. He's dressed too well for that. Maybe they hired him to pour champagne."

"Ha! Whatever it is, it's definitely beneath everyone else here."

The mocking grew louder, more pointed with laughter echoing.

"I'll bet he came to see what real success looks like. Must hurt watching someone else shine in his place."

"He's probably hoping someone will pity-invite him inside. Poor guy."

Antonio heard most of the gossip but he didn't flinch.

He calmly adjusted his cufflinks and took in the scene with cool detachment, his expression unreadable.

Then, his gaze locked onto a pair of familiar faces.

It was Elaine and Harry.

Their smiles faded in an instant.

The confident glimmer in their eyes flickered into confusion… then disbelief.

Elaine blinked as if her mind was playing tricks on her.

She leaned closer to Harry, whispering in his ear, "What the hell is that loser doing here?"

But even as she said it, something deeper twisted in her chest.

She saw the confidence in Antonio's eyes, the dignified poise in his step.

And then—Cynthia.

When Antonio turned to the car behind him and extended his hand, a tall, elegant woman stepped out, and the world seemed to pause for Elaine.

Cynthia stepped out with grace, placing her hand in his.

Her heels clicked softly against the pavement as she emerged, her elegant presence turning heads.

Gasps echoed through the gathering.

"Who's that with him?"

"She's gorgeous…"

"Wait—isn't that Cynthia Morris, the CEO of Bellagio Group?"

Murmurs into her ears, Elaine's heart pounded.

What the hell?

Antonio, that loser…is with…Cynthia Morris?

The incredible female CEO of Bellagio Group?

Chapter 9

Elaine's lips parted and her chest rose with a shallow breath.

She clenched her fists slightly.

Antonio had been a loser, nobody clinging to her for support!

She thought he would be groveling after the divorce, devastated and broken.

Yet here he was…

Dressed in a tailored tux, calm as ice, with the most unattainable woman in the city on his arm.

How's that possible?!

How dare he?!

Rage flooded Elaine's veins.

She couldn't stand being replaced so fast.

Made her feel like the lesser woman in front of Antonio.

"Antonio!"

Elaine called as she stormed across the room, heels clacking like war drums, and came to a halt in front of them.

"Antonio!"

Antonio stopped, but he didn't turn or flinch and his expression remained unreadable.

"What the hell are you doing here?!"

Elaine's eyes flicked to Cynthia, then back to Antonio.

"How the hell did you convince Miss Cynthia to show up here with a nobody like you?"

She sneered, arms crossed.

"Is this some kind of pathetic stunt? What? Did you really think showing up with a woman would make me jealous?"

Antonio almost laughed out loud.

Instead, he glanced at her with a look colder than the winter sea.

"Not everything is about you, Elaine."

Cynthia raised a brow.

"He's my plus one, if that wasn't obvious."

Elaine's lips twitched in disbelief.

"Plus one?" Her voice sharpened. "Why would someone like you bring him?"

Cynthia's smile didn't reach her eyes.

"That's simple. Mrs.—oh, sorry, Miss Elaine."

Cynthia put extra weight on the word "Miss".

Her eyes casually raking over Elaine from head to toe, unimpressed.

"Just because you didn't see Antonio's value, doesn't mean the rest of us are blind."

The words struck like a slap.

Elaine's fists clenched at her sides.

Her whole body tensed.

But she didn't dare snap at Cynthia, no matter how much jealousy, bitterness, and rage surged in her chest like a rising storm.

Not when Cynthia was the CEO of Bellagio Group, and Elaine's company was still dreaming of sealing a deal with them.

So instead, she spun on Antonio and let all her fury pour out on him.

"Oh, I get it now! So you were cheating on me this whole time, huh?!"

"You're suddenly dating someone just hours after we're divorced? Really?"

"Or was it going on before the papers were even signed? Is that it?!"

"That's why you were so damn quick to walk away! Because you already had someone lined up!"

Antonio turned to her with a cold expression.

"It's none of your business, Elaine."

"We're divorced, remember?"

"Who I'm with now isn't your concern. You lost that right the moment you signed the paper."

Elaine's breath caught and her chest tightened.

Just then, another voice slithered into the conversation.

"Cynthia, my dear CEO." Harry Gibson said, stepping forward with a smug smirk, "I can't. believe it! I thought you're smarter than that."

Elaine turned, eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

Harry radiated confidence in his sharp gray suit.

Compared to Antonio, he was the epitome of power and wealth.

At least, that's what Elaine told herself.

"You've been misled, Cynthia." Harry continued, "This Antonio? He's just a parasite,"

"First he clung to Elaine, now he's latched onto you!"

"It's his pattern. He survives by leeching off powerful women."

Cynthia let out a cold laugh.

"Are you done?"

Harry ignored her, eyes gleaming.

"You should know, Cynthia, you shouldn't argue with us because of this nobody."

"After all, you're not really the one pulling the strings at Bellagio. Everyone in the industry knows who's really in charge."

"A man no one's ever seen… The true heir of the Morris family!"

The crowd buzzed.

Antonio tilted his head slightly.

Now he was paying attention.

Harry smiled wider, sensing the shift.

"And my company? We're about to sign a deal with him—the real boss of Bellagio."

He was bragging, completely clueless about who the real boss behind the Bellagio Group was.

But he'd heard the rumors.

And he was convinced he'd get close to that person eventually.

"Once that deal goes through, Cynthia… I'll be the one calling the shots. Not you."

"And as for this good-for-nothing fool..." Harry sneered at Antonio. "Well, I'll make sure this city never sees his face again."

Murmurs spread through the crowd, with people pitying Antonio for overstepping his bounds and trying to appear important.

"That guy is about to regret crossing paths with Harry Gibson," someone whispered.

"Harry's about to seal that deal with Bellagio Group, and the lowlife would be kicked out of the City. What a pity?"

"He should have just stayed in his lane."

Most of the crowd agreed—it was bound to be a nightmare for Antonio!

Elaine's breath hitched.

She looked at Harry with something close to admiration.

That was the kind of man she always wanted.

Dominant, capable, connected.

But just as Harry was basking in his imagined victory, a quiet voice broke through.

"That's impossible."

Everyone turned.

It was Antonio.

Harry narrowed his eyes. "What did you say?"

Antonio took a slow step forward. "You said you're closing a deal with Bellagio Group's real owner?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "That's right."

Antonio smiled. "No, you're not."

Harry's expression twitched.

"You think I'm bluffing?"

Antonio slipped one hand into his pocket.

"I know you are, Harry."

"Because the person behind Bellagio Group... is me."

"And you will never secure a partnership with Bellagio Group!"

Chapter 10

For a heartbeat, there was silence as heads turned in the direction of the voice.

Then, there was sudden laughter.

It erupted from the surrounding guests with their voices blending in a chorus of amusement and mockery.

It rolled through the crowd like a wave.

Someone near the front nearly doubled over.

"Isn't that Antonio, Elaine's ex-husband?"

"Did he just say that?"

"He must be out of his mind!" another scoffed.

"He's really standing here, in that same cheap suit, telling Harry Gibson he's not getting the partnership? Delusional doesn't even cover it!"

"Well, would you blame the guy? After all, he's now Miss Cynthia's boytoy. I guess that's where he's getting his confidence from."

Harry let out a loud bark of laughter.

"Antonio, my man, you need to stop reading fairy tales."

"You? The person behind Bellagio Group? That's the funniest thing I've heard all year."

Antonio stood motionless, eyes calm, expression unreadable.

Amid the crowd's jeering, he radiated an unsettling stillness, the kind that didn't need to shout to be heard.

He had long learned that fools loved to ridicule what they couldn't comprehend.

"I'm not claiming anything," he said flatly. "I am the president. I don't need your belief for it to be true."

The room roared louder at that.

Elaine clenched her fists.

At first, she had been furious, embarrassed that Antonio, her ex-husband, would have the audacity to come here and humiliate her like this.

But now, a thin sliver of doubt pierced through her certain ty.

Morris.

She knew that was Antonio's last name.

It wasn't exactly common, and now that she thought about it…

He'd never once talked about his family, his past, or where he came from.

She had always assumed it was because he was just...nobody.

But what if—?

No.

She shook the thought away.

There's no way!

If Antonio really was from the Morris family, the hidden giants of Bellagio Group…

How could he have tolerated living in her house, being mocked by her family, treated like trash by everyone?

Impossible.

Embarrassment flushed her cheeks as the laughter around her deepened.

She stepped closer, lowered her voice to a hiss only them three who were near her could hear.

"Antonio, stop this nonsense. You're making a fool of yourself, and me!"

Antonio didn't even look at her.

"Funny. That's exactly what your old friend Harry has been doing all night."

Harry smirked.

"He's still mad I took his wife. Don't worry, Elaine. It's what he does! Spins lies. He's been lying to you since day one."

Antonio turned, eyes boring into Harry's.

"And what about you, Harry? How long have you been lying to her?"

Elaine's stomach twisted.

"Antonio, just stop! You drugged me last night, you hit him this morning."

"We haven't even pressed charges yet. Keep making a scene, and I will call the police!"

"I'm serious this time!"

"I have a better idea." Harry interjected with a mocking grin.

He waved at a pair of security guards at the edge of the room.

"I'll have him dragged out right now."

But Antonio didn't flinch.

Instead, he calmly pulled out his phone and held it out to Elaine.

"You still want to call the police?" he said. "Fine. But before you do, take a look at this. Let's make sure they arrest the right man."

Elaine hesitated.

The phone glowed in Antonio's hand like a trap, but the cool and absolute in his voice, made her reach out and take it.

Almost immediately, her face drained of colour.

Elaine's breath hitched as she scrolled through the documents.

There were rows upon rows of financial records, bank statements, and legal documents.

And Harry's name was everywhere.

He was practically drowning in debt.

Billions of dollars worth!

It was like staring into a financial graveyard.

The man she thought was strong and successful… was buried in a mountain of debt.

Harry was a walking corpse propped up by borrowed money and fake smiles.

Her stomach twisted as she continued scrolling, only to come across a recording.

With shaky fingers, Elaine pressed play.

A muffled voice came through, unmistakably Harry's.

"Make sure you slip it into her drink before she leaves the bar. She needs just enough to lower her inhibitions, nothing too strong."

Elaine's heart pounded.

"Then, send her to the hotel I told you about. I'll be waiting."

The floor beneath her felt like it was collapsing.

The scene from last night replayed in her mind……

Her body burning with an unnatural heat, her mind foggy, unable to think clearly.

She had been drugged!

A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

Harry had orchestrated everything!

He had called her to meet him, but the driver had mistakenly brought her back to the villa instead of the hotel.

That was why she had acted so irrationally, why she had thrown herself onto Antonio, begging him to touch her.

A wave of nausea surged through her.

She had been manipulated by Harry!

Elaine's head snapped up, her gaze locking onto Antonio's cold, unreadable expression.

And then, slowly, her eyes shifted to Harry.

Harry's confident smirk faltered the moment he saw the look on Elaine's face.

"Elaine? What's wrong? You look pale."

But Elaine didn't answer.

Her hands trembled as she held the phone, the weight of the truth crushing down on her.

Everything made sense now.

Harry's sudden return.

His insistence on meeting her last night.

The way her body had betrayed her, the fog in her mind.

And Antonio…

Antonio had tried to tell her.

He'd tried to warn her about Harry, but she'd been too blinded by her own assumptions to listen.

"You…" Elaine's voice came out as a whisper, barely audible. "You drugged me."

Harry's eyes darted to the phone in her hands, panic flashing across his face.

"Elaine, whatever you think you saw—"

"Don't." Elaine's voice cracked, tears threatening to spill. "Don't you dare try to lie to me again."

The crowd around them began to notice the shift in atmosphere.

Conversations died down as people turned to watch the drama unfolding.

Harry took a step closer, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper.

"Elaine, you don't understand. Those documents could be fake. He could have fabricated everything to turn you against me."

But Elaine was no longer listening to him.

She was staring at Antonio, seeing him clearly for the first time in years.

The man she had called worthless.

The man she had accused of drugging her.

The man she had slapped and humiliated.

And he had known the truth all along.

"How long have you known?" she asked Antonio, her voice barely above a whisper.

Antonio's expression remained unreadable.

"Long enough."

Cynthia, who had been watching the exchange with growing anger, stepped forward.

"Are you starting to see the kind of man you chose over Antonio?" she said coldly.

Elaine's composure finally cracked.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as the full weight of her mistakes hit her.

She had thrown away the one person who had truly cared for her.

For a lie.

For a man who had manipulated and used her.

Harry, realizing his game was up, made one last desperate attempt.

"Elaine, don't let them poison your mind against me. We can work through this. We can—"

"Get away from me," Elaine said, her voice stronger now, filled with disgust.

"Don't ever come near me again."

Harry's mask finally slipped completely.

The charming smile vanished, replaced by something ugly and desperate.

"You'll regret this, Elaine. Without me, without the Bellagio deal, your company will crumble."

Antonio stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"There is no deal, Harry. There never was."

"And now, there never will be."

He turned to address the crowd, his voice carrying easily across the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to formally introduce myself."

The room fell silent.

"My name is Antonio Morris. I am the heir to the Morris family empire and the true owner of Bellagio Group."

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

People began pulling out their phones, some frantically googling, others taking pictures.

"And I want everyone here to know that Harry Gibson will never, under any circumstances, have any business relationship with any company under the Morris umbrella."

Harry's face went white as a sheet.

The implications hit him like a freight train.

Without the Bellagio deal, without Elaine's connections, he had nothing.

Less than nothing.

He was millions in debt with no way to pay it back.

"You can't do this," Harry said, his voice breaking. "You can't destroy me like this."

Antonio's smile was cold and merciless.

"I'm not destroying you, Harry. You destroyed yourself."

"I'm simply making sure everyone knows who you really are."

Security guards began moving toward Harry as Antonio nodded to Cynthia.

"Escort Mr. Gibson out. And make sure he understands he's no longer welcome at any Morris Group property."

As Harry was led away, still protesting and making threats, the crowd buzzed with excitement and shock.

The revelation that Antonio Morris, the mysterious heir they'd all heard whispers about, had been hiding in plain sight was the biggest scandal of the year.

Elaine stood frozen in the middle of it all, still clutching Antonio's phone.

She watched as people began approaching Antonio with newfound respect and deference.

The same people who had mocked him minutes earlier were now practically bowing.

She had lost everything.

Her marriage to the most powerful man in the city.

Her chance at happiness.

Her dignity.

And it was all her own doing.

Antonio approached her slowly.

"My phone," he said simply, extending his hand.

Elaine handed it back, her fingers brushing his for just a moment.

"Antonio, I—"

"Save it," he said quietly. "We're done, Elaine. We've been done for a long time."

"I was just too blind to see it."

He turned and walked away, Cynthia at his side, leaving Elaine alone in the crowd of people who now looked at her with mixture of pity and disdain.

The woman who had thrown away Antonio Morris.

The woman who had chosen a fraud over a king.

As the party continued around her, Elaine finally understood the true weight of her choices.

And it was far too late to take any of it back.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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The moan tore through the dark bedroom—low, desperate, already spiraling out of control. My eyes snapped open. Elaine was on top of me, skin slick, lips parted, riding a wave I thought I’d never feel. For three years, she refused to touch me. Now, she was grinding against me like she’d been starving.

"Elaine… what are you doing?"

She didn’t answer. Just kissed my jaw, whispered, "I want you," and tightened around me like fire. I lost myself. Until she screamed.

"Harry!"

The name hit like ice. Harry Gibson. Her first love. Back in town yesterday. And now… she’d mistaken me for him?

I froze. Every sacrifice—handing her my resources, vanishing from the public eye, building her empire from the shadows—shattered in an instant. She hadn’t come to me. She’d come to a fantasy.

I stood, walked out without a word.

Hours later, water slapped my face.

"You drugged me!" Elaine screamed, trembling. "You forced yourself on me!"

I wiped my face, stunned. "You came to me. You touched me. You—"

"Impossible!"

"Then explain why you called out Harry’s name."

Her face went pale.

She didn’t remember.

And in that moment, I knew: our marriage was a lie. One more act of humiliation.

But the next words would change everything.

"Let’s get a divorce."

She laughed.

She actually laughed.