Chapter 3

Chloe woke up early and saw me sitting on the couch all night.

She paused slightly, then coolly reminded me, "Once you're ready, we'll go to the registry office to file for divorce."

"Divorce is fine, but when are you going to pay back what your family owes me?"

"Owes you what? Didn't I just give you fifty thousand dollars?"

Seeing Chloe's furrowed brow, I shook my head.

I indicated that fifty thousand dollars wasn't even enough for the interest.

She looked at me in disbelief. "Do you know what you're saying?"

"You've been getting paid every month without doing anything at our company."

"Now I'm giving you an extra fifty thousand dollars, and you're still not satisfied?"

I reached out and pushed the bank card back toward her.

"That's right, it's not enough."

Chloe looked like she wanted to lose her temper, but she held it in.

She took a deep breath and asked how much more I wanted.

She reached for her phone, ready to transfer money, and I held up two fingers.

"Two hundred million. To buy me out."

This two hundred million was just the principal I invested in their fundraising.

As for my previous investments, I'd consider them feeding a stray dog.

Chloe's hand, holding her phone, suddenly froze. For a long moment, she couldn't say a word.

She stared at me silently, then laughed.

"My parents used to say you were useless, just a freeloader."

"I would argue with them and speak well of you."

"Now it seems, I was blind."

She thought I was making an outrageous demand, unaware that I was trying to help her.

If she didn't pay me, I would still be Vertex Corp.'s largest backer.

Any significant decision in the future would require my consent.

And right now, all I wanted was to cut ties with them.

"I can only give you twenty thousand dollars more at most. If you keep causing trouble, my dad won't let you get away with it."

Her tone sounded almost like a threat.

"Are you divorcing or not?"

Seeing how anxious she was, I spoke unhurriedly.

"I already said, I can divorce, but your family must give me two hundred million. It's that simple."

Chloe finally lost her patience. "Are you sick?"

"We've supported you for three years; have we spoiled you rotten?"

"Right now, it's just you and me. We can still talk this through reasonably."

"If you really blow things up, it won't be good for you!"

Yes, I had genuinely intended to divorce last night.

And I hadn't planned on asking for those two hundred million; I figured we'd just go our separate ways since her family looked down on me.

But then, in the middle of the night, when my secretary informed me of a certain truth.

My mind completely changed.

Seeing her look so helpless, I pulled out my phone and pointed to the man in the photo.

"Who is he?"

My secretary told me the Sterling family was preparing for an arranged marriage.

The match was Chloe and the man in the photo.

Only I had been like a fool, kept in the dark.

Chloe's expression shifted slightly. She said she didn't know him.

But I could see the guilt in her eyes.

"Fine. When you 'get to know him,' we can talk about the divorce again."

I stood up, pulling my suitcase, but she blocked my way.

After a brief struggle, she explained plainly.

"His name is Brandon Sterling, son of the chairman of Crossroads Holdings."

"Then what's your relationship with him?"

She gave up trying to argue. "We haven't officially established a relationship, but we're trying to date."

"Liam, can you please stop this? We're really not suitable anymore, and this alliance is crucial for Vertex Corp.'s future."

"Please, I'm begging you, just let me go, okay?"

It was the first time I'd seen her beg me, and with such sincerity.

It was ironic that it was for another man.

I went with her to the registry office and successfully completed the divorce papers.

As we came out, Chloe handed me the bank card.

"Take it. From now on, we owe each other nothing."

"Owe each other nothing," what a joke.

I didn't take it. I pulled my suitcase and walked away without looking back.

That night, Robert, learning of his daughter's divorce, hosted a grand celebration dinner.

He even decided to hold a magnificent engagement ceremony three days later, inviting all the prominent figures from both industries.

To outsiders, it was a wedding of the century.

Vertex Corp. was a rising star, newly listed after successful fundraising.

Crossroads Holdings was an established conglomerate with deep roots.

But to me, it was merely a farce for my amusement.