Chapter 5 On the day the plane took off, I wasnât on the flight to the UK.
Instead, I left the airport dressed as the stand in bride.
I even passed Ethan, but he didnât notice me.
I went to Hudson Corporation.
I struck a deal with its CEO, Daniel Hudson:
I would provide Fordâs secrets, and he would help me take down Ford Enterprises.
Of course, how far we wentâwhether it was just a warning or total destructionâdepended on the quality of the information I provided and how the plan unfolded.
The results were better than expected.
Daniel and I were both pleasedâin just three months, Ethan was left reeling.
Over half of Fordâs key employees had been poached by Hudson.
Many of them had worked for my father, so Daniel made me a general manager.
I didnât want to be in the spotlight, so Daniel gave me an office with oneâway glass.
I could see everyone, but they couldnât see me.
They started calling me âthe Witchâ behind my back.
Gradually, my days were filled with work.
My hatred fueled meâI wanted to destroy Ethan, to make him feel the pain my father had felt when his company collapsed.
The once broken, suicidal Emily was gone, replaced by a woman driven by vengeance.
Sometimes, I felt Daniel watching me.
40 The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights 76.9%
hapter 5 But when I looked up, his gaze would shift.
As Ford Enterprises teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, Hudson began buying up Fordâs core assets and patents at rock bottom prices.
An hour before Ford announced its cash flow crisis, Ethan showed up at Hudsonâs office, begging Daniel to back off.
Daniel shrugged.
âMr. Ford, the takeover wasnât my idea.â
âI tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldnât listen.â
Ethanâs eyes flickered: âThen... who is she? Can I meet her?â
Daniel glanced toward my office.
âShe doesnât want to see you. Iâm sorry, Mr. Ford. Maybe weâll cross paths again someday.â
Ethan looked defeated, but not over Fordâs impending collapse.
It was the fact that the mastermind behind it all refused to see him.
After Ethan left, Daniel came into my office.
âEmily, I heard you and Ethan are still married.â
âHis bankruptcy wonât do you any good.â
I smirked: âThen weâll both suffer. If Iâm going to hell, Iâm taking him with me.â
The tension finally got to me, and I fainted.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital.
Daniel was standing by the window, lost in thought.
Seeing me awake, he said gently.
âThe doctor said youâve been under too much stress. You need to relax, stop pushing yourself so 10:43 The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights 77.1%
Chapters hard.â
He handed me a file.
âTake a look at this when youâre feeling better.â
âIt might change your perspective on some things.â
Just as I was about to open the file, the hospital room door creaked open.
Ethan stood there, unshaven, his eyes bloodshot.
âEmily, itâs really you! Iâve been looking everywhere for you!â
He rushed forward, trying to hug me.
I raised my arm to block him.
âKeep your distance, Ethan. Iâve already filed for divorce.â
The joy on his face faded, replaced by bitterness.
âYouâre right. Iâm not good enough for you anymore.â
âI canât give you the life you deserve.â
I had almost forgottenâI had just seen the news of his bankruptcy on my phone.
âYes, soon creditors will be chasing you all over the city. I hope you can handle it.â
I continued coldly: âAnd youâre dirty. You and Olivia belong together.â
Ethan didnât get angry. Instead, he smiled faintly.
âItâs good to see you like this, Emily.â
âYouâre not the broken little bird anymore. Youâve become a feisty little hedgehog.â
His words brought back painful memories, and my expression turned icy.
âIf you have nothing else to say, you can leave.â
Velvet Nights 77.4%
Chapter 5 He clenched his jaw, struggling to speak.
âEmily, I know you hate me. Iâm sorry for everything Iâve done to you.â
âI came here to apologize. I was wrong, and I made you suffer.â
With that, he seemed to relax, as if a weight had been lifted.
He turned and opened the door, adding.
âIâll sign the divorce papers and send them to you. Emily, I wish you happiness.â
The door closed softly behind him, and for some reason, my heart ached.
It felt empty, sour.
I had been so determined to destroy him, but seeing him like this... why did it hurt?
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