A Mother's Reckoning

The moment my son set foot back in the country, he demanded I step down from the company and divorce the wife I had married him to in a proper ceremony.

My gaze turned cold as ice.

"Freeze all his accounts. Seize every property and vehicle. Issue a company statement cutting all ties with Gavin Ashford."

"Let's see what a worthless leech detached from the Ashford family can actually accomplish."

01

The air in the Ashford villa was thick enough to choke on.

I stared at Gavin, my voice frigid. "Say that again."

He lifted his chin, gripping the woman beside him tightly. "Mom, I want a divorce. I've found my true love. I'm going to marry Jade—"

I narrowed my eyes, letting them rest on the woman.

She wasn't old, and her face wasn't bad. A white dress, dressed to look youthful and fresh. But the vulgarity at the corners of her brows and eyes couldn't be hidden no matter how hard she tried.

One glance, and I knew exactly what she was.

I let out a cold laugh. "You want to divorce Summer to marry a socialite?"

Gavin hadn't expected me to see through Jade's background in an instant. His face darkened. "Mom, don't you dare insult her! She took care of me all those years I was abroad. I can't betray her. Besides, Jade's feelings for me are real. Summer's only with me for our family's money!"

Before he could finish, I saw my daughter-in-law's face go pale. I snapped, "Shut up!"

After all these years in power, I rarely lost my temper. Gavin was stunned into silence.

My face was like frost. "The only reason you had such a comfortable time at that school abroad was because Summer asked her senior to pull strings for you. You think that famous professor of yours would have looked twice at a waste like you?"

I swept a contemptuous glance over Jade. That cheap, seductive air about her—anyone could see she was a veteran of the pleasure circuit. How else could she have turned my idiot son's head so completely?

My voice cut like a blade. "Three years you were abroad. Three years Summer waited for you at home, hoping for you. And this is how you repay her? With trash like this? A cheap woman who throws herself at a married man, and you're singing her praises? Are you blind, or just brainless?"

Rage boiling over, I hurled my teacup at Gavin's feet.

Seeing how upset I was, Summer quickly stood up, rubbing my back to soothe me. "Mom, don't be angry. Gavin's just confused for a moment—"

But that only made things worse. Gavin shot her a look of pure disgust and laughed coldly.

"I'm not confused. I know exactly what I want. Mom, I don't care what you say. I'm done with Summer, and I'm marrying Jade."

Summer was the daughter of my best friend, the heiress of the Hart family. After her parents died in a plane crash and her relatives fought over the inheritance like vultures, I brought her home.

She was smart and capable. She was already mid-level management at Ashford Group. Marrying my son was, in my opinion, a step down for her.

But my idiot son couldn't see his own good fortune and had to stir up this kind of mess.

I frowned deeply. "Gavin, you've lost your mind."

He sneered, straightening his back with the air of a man who had burned his bridges.

"Mom, agree or not, my mind's made up. Even if you say no, I'll post on social media cutting ties with Summer. She'll be the one humiliated then."

I looked at him, my gaze like a knife. "Are you threatening me?"

"I'm just being clear."

A flash of triumph crossed his eyes as he grinned arrogantly. "Dad told me before he died that he'd left a will. I'm supposed to inherit Ashford Group when I turn twenty-five. Mom, it's time for you to step aside."

02

Seeing him so smug, my heart felt frozen solid, squeezing the breath out of me.

He took two steps forward, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared at me.

"You never cared about me growing up. You only ever forced me to do things I hated. The moment Dad died, you shipped me abroad just to keep me away from the company so I couldn't fight you for control. But I won't let you win."

In that moment, we weren't mother and son. We were mortal enemies.

A chill seeped into my bones.

Decades of sacrifice, and all I got was my son's hatred.

I took a deep breath, clenching my fists. "I sent you abroad because the corporate infighting was too dangerous. I was afraid someone would use you as leverage to hurt you. I never imagined you'd think that way about your own mother."

Seeing how pale I'd gone, Gavin hesitated.

Then Jade swayed her hips forward, smiling sweetly. "Auntie, that sounds lovely. But now that you've got the company under your thumb, why won't you let Gavin come home? If he hadn't sneaked back, who knows how long you'd have kept him trapped overseas."

I whipped my head around to stare at Jade, finally understanding. I laughed coldly.

"So that's it. I was wondering why Gavin would throw away his diploma to come home. You were the one whispering in his ear."

Without that diploma, three years of study meant nothing. I'd wanted him to at least have that credential to give him some standing with the employees. I could mentor him, and in a few years, hand the company over to the young couple with confidence.

I never expected this to be twisted into something sinister.

All my careful planning, undone by a few words from a woman.

All those years of hard work suddenly felt like a cruel joke.

"It's not manipulation. It's the truth. I don't trust you anymore."

One sentence from me, and Gavin was already rushing to defend Jade.

I stared expressionlessly at the pair before me. "Gavin, your father left no will. I earned this position myself. If you want to fight me for it, I'll be waiting. But—"

I glanced at Jade. "If you want to marry her, get out of the Ashford family."

03

Gavin frowned. "What do you mean?"

I met his gaze, my voice flat. "I'm being very clear. From today on, you have nothing to do with the Ashford family. And nothing belonging to the Ashfords has anything to do with you."

His face twisted with rage. "The Ashford family is my inheritance from Dad! How can you say it has nothing to do with me? If anyone should leave, it's you!"

I laughed coldly. "Then call the police."

I held forty-five percent of the shares. I wasn't worried.

Seeing how unyielding I was, Gavin's eyes flickered. Jade whispered something in his ear, and suddenly he smiled, smug and arrogant.

"I'll get Grandpa to talk to you! The company will be mine!"

With that, he shot Summer and me one last contemptuous look, grabbed Jade's hand, and walked out without looking back.

Watching them disappear, I let a flicker of exhaustion show in my eyes.

Summer helped me sit back down, her brow furrowed. "Mom, that woman has really gotten to Gavin. What do we do?"

I kept my face calm. "I misjudged him. He seemed clever enough as a child, but in the end, he's just mud that won't stick to the wall. I'm sorry you got caught up in this, Summer."

She shook her head. "Mom, without you, I'd have nothing. I chose this willingly."

Seeing how understanding she was only made my heart ache more.

She added, "Maybe I should try talking to him."

"No need. He's been abroad too long. He's forgotten who really runs the Ashford family."

I laughed coldly. "Freeze all of Gavin's assets. Seize the houses and cars. Issue a company statement cutting all ties with him."

Summer nodded, hesitating as if she wanted to say more.

I clapped my hands, my eyes cold and hard.

"Let's see what a worthless leech detached from the Ashford family can actually accomplish."

04

Half an hour later, Jade's entire file was laid out before me.

Parents divorced. She went to America with her father. He remarried, but went bankrupt and killed himself five years ago. Jade ended up living with her stepmother.

The story about a wicked stepmother was just a cover. The truth was, she was a gold digger who worked the party circuit, hooking rich boys, faking pregnancies, and walking away with hefty payoffs.

Everyone in the expat circle avoided her. But my idiot son fell for her after just a few sweet words.

And now he was turning against me for her.

Was arrogance and stupidity hereditary in the Ashford bloodline?

I pressed a hand to my forehead in exhaustion.

Just then, two men pushed past the security guards and stormed into my office.

The old man at the front started in immediately. "Claire, you kicked my grandson out of the Ashford family? Who gave you the nerve! Don't forget, this company belongs to the Ashfords, not to you."

I looked up to see my father-in-law and Gavin standing there.

I stared at them both, saying nothing.

Seeing that aggression wouldn't work, the old man softened his tone. "It's just a divorce. No need to make such a scene. He's my son's heir, your own flesh and blood. He'll take over the company one day! No matter how much you love Summer, when you're old, it'll be your son who takes care of you. You need to think about the bigger picture!"

Gavin stood behind him, smug and triumphant, like he'd found his champion.

"Mom, if you'll just accept Jade and let me inherit the company, I'll forget everything and still take care of you."

Forget everything?

I let out a sharp laugh, unable to stop.

The old man and Gavin stared at me, bewildered.

I stood up, walking slowly toward my father-in-law, a smile on my face. "When your son cheated on me, you told me to think about the bigger picture. Did I compromise then?"

His face changed.

I raised a finger and wagged it. "I didn't then. And I won't now."

05

Gavin's face went dark. He hadn't expected me to be so unyielding, not even bending to what he thought was his trump card—his grandfather.

I smiled at the two of them, unable to resist a bitter observation. "You two really are cut from the same cloth. Both of you fall for cheap, flashy women. Keeping a wife at home while playing around outside—must be a family tradition, passed down through the generations."

My father-in-law had taken a mistress thirty years younger while my mother-in-law was still alive. She bled him dry, and my mother-in-law died of a broken heart.

Gavin's father, Harold, had built the company with my help, then started flirting with his secretary. The old man even tried to convince me to leave with nothing.

But I wasn't my mother-in-law. I wouldn't waste away in depression or die young. I'd make his life a living hell.

It took me three years to buy up every scattered share and become the majority shareholder. I kicked Harold out of the company and made him watch as I purged every one of his old cronies.

Including his precious little secretary.

He turned to drinking. A few years later, he was gone.

On his deathbed, he cursed me with venom in his eyes. I paid it no mind.

But maybe the curse came true after all.

My son had become exactly the kind of scum I hated most.

Gavin looked deeply offended. "How can you talk to Grandpa like that? And Jade isn't some mistress. She's the woman I love. In a marriage, the one who isn't loved is the real third wheel!"

He spoke with such passion, like a knight defending his true love.

I almost wanted to applaud.

Seeing that I was unmoved, he softened his tone. "Mom—"

I cut him off. "I'm not your mother anymore. We're done. And—"

My eyes landed on the old man. "I provide for you out of duty, not so you can make my life harder. I can throw you out of the Ashford family anytime. Understood?"

His face reddened with fury as he pointed a shaking finger at me. "Claire, you—"

I was done with both of them. I signaled the security guards, who "politely" escorted them out.

As he was dragged away, Gavin shot me one last defiant look. "I'll make you regret this! The company will be mine!"

Regret?

I was already regretting it. Regretting bringing such a creature into the world to torment me.

06

Within a minute of posting the announcement cutting ties with Gavin, the internet exploded.

The company account even pinned the statement, making sure no one missed it.

A wealthy family's dirty laundry—exactly the kind of gossip the public loves.

Everyone was speculating about what had happened. Some media outlets tried to dig into the Ashford family's past for more dirt.

When I heard, I loosened the reins a little and let a few things slip.

Soon enough, they uncovered the old man's and Harold's sordid histories.

And Gavin and Jade's scandalous life abroad.

In no time, the internet was flooded with private photos of the two of them at wild parties, and even nude shots.

The shy, clever image I'd carefully crafted for Gavin crumbled overnight.

At the same time, the rich boys Jade had scammed came forward, posting evidence of her past schemes along with photos.

I scrolled through the pictures. Jade was wearing nothing but a few strings of rope, posing in various… "provocative" positions.

I felt sick.

Then my phone rang. It was Gavin.

He was furious. "You did this, didn't you! You think this will make me apologize? It won't! Your methods are disgusting!"

I rolled my eyes, speechless.

Yes, I'd helped fan the flames, but I hadn't exaggerated or fabricated anything.

He did the deeds himself. Getting exposed wasn't my fault.

Typical double standard.

My voice was cold. "Gavin, you'd better have proof for that accusation. Otherwise, I can sue you for slander."

He snorted contemptuously, like he was making a solemn vow. "I will never bow to you!"

Then he hung up with a sharp click.

I smiled faintly.

Good. Don't give in. I'd rather have raised an ungrateful wretch than have him surrender. Surrender would make this game boring.

07

Over the next few days, the scandal slowly died down. But then Gavin dropped a bombshell of his own.

He teamed up with my brother-in-law and the old man to hold a press conference.

Gavin tearfully accused me of years of control and oppression. He even hinted that I was involved in Harold's death.

He was so convincing—a poor, trusting son betrayed by his own mother. And with my brother-in-law and father-in-law backing him up, plus that old secretary adding her own embellishments, the whole performance was flawless.

The reporters' cameras flashed like crazy.

I had become the villain—a scheming woman who killed her husband and imprisoned her son for money.

They wanted to crush me with public opinion. It was a cheap trick, but effective.

The tide of public sentiment turned overnight. I became the target of everyone's outrage.

I didn't care about the舆论 itself, but I couldn't let hidden competitors use this as an opportunity to attack the company.

The head of PR looked grim. "Ms. Ashford, what do we do?"

"If they want to be ruthless, I can be too."

I laughed coldly, a glint of amusement in my eyes.

"Anyone can hold a press conference."

But I wouldn't just talk. I had evidence.

I contacted the company's lawyers and sued Gavin and his accomplices.

The charge: defamation of character.

At my own press conference, I produced years of Harold's medical records, along with a detailed account of how much money that little secretary had swindled from him.

Most importantly, I showed the notarized document proving my forty-five percent shareholding.

They could cry on camera. So could I.

"Ashford Group was built by Harold and me through years of hard work. I originally held twenty percent of the shares. But when Harold had his affair, he tried to force me out with nothing, using Gavin as leverage. I refused to accept that, so I quietly bought up the company's scattered shares and became the majority shareholder. Because of Harold's misconduct, the board voted to remove him.

"In the beginning, the company was in turmoil. I sent Gavin abroad for his own safety. But he didn't apply himself. He failed his courses year after year. I had no choice but to extend his studies. I never imagined it would be twisted into imprisonment and oppression.

"Maybe my parenting was wrong.

"But I was betrayed by my husband. I hate nothing more than a man who betrays his wife. That's why I kicked him out—to give him time to cool off and think.

"Today, I see I was gravely mistaken. He won't change. He won't admit he was wrong.

"As Gavin's mother, I hereby declare that I am cutting all ties with him, effective immediately."

08

One press conference and a court summons cleared my name completely.

I became the pitiable woman who had sacrificed everything for decades, only to be betrayed by her husband and son.

The company's e-commerce platform sold out overnight as netizens rushed to support me.

And because I hadn't fallen into depression or wasted away from the betrayal, but instead lived freely and confidently, I became a role model for modern women.

Many wives going through marital crises took me as their inspiration and found the strength to rebuild their lives.

In my spare time, I received countless private messages. I answered each one, offering what guidance I could.

I pinned a post on my personal account:

"I don't encourage everyone to follow my path. But I support every woman in living more for herself. Not for her husband. Not for her children. For herself."

For a time, I was more popular than some celebrities.

Gavin, on the other hand, was in even worse shape.

If falling for Jade could be excused as bad judgment, conspiring with outsiders to slander his own mother was unforgivable. Even strangers spat on him for it.

I'd taken back his houses, cars, and money. He had less than two thousand dollars to his name.

Soon, he was kicked out of his five-star hotel for not paying. He and Jade ended up in the cheapest motel they could find.

He tried to find a job, but who would hire him in this climate?

Every door was closed. He was completely trapped.

One day, Summer and I were walking through the parking lot, laughing and talking, when a dark figure suddenly lunged at us.

I gasped. Summer stepped in front of me protectively.

"Who's there!"

The figure froze, then spoke after a long pause. "Mom, it's me."

That voice. I knew it.

I looked closer. The man before me was ragged and haggard, his face gaunt, dark circles hanging nearly to his chin.

It was Gavin.

Only two weeks had passed, and he looked like a wreck.

Clearly, life hadn't been kind to him.

My face was expressionless. "I'm not your mother."

His face stiffened. He stammered, "Can't I just apologize? I've broken things off with Jade. Please, let me come home."

09

I blinked and exchanged a glance with Summer.

He was giving up?

That was fast.

I had my doubts, but he'd already broken my heart.

I walked past him without a word, ignoring him completely.

But then he dropped to his knees with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mom, after everything that's happened, I finally see that you're the only one who's ever been good to me. I was wrong. I'm so sorry. Please, let me come home. I have nowhere else to go."

What kind of game was this now?

I frowned. "Gavin, we've already cut ties. What happens to you is none of my business."

He hung his head low, looking deeply remorseful, his voice thick with tears. "Mom, I'm your own son. How can you be so heartless?"

Heartless?

He hadn't thought about heartless when he held that press conference, trying to crush me with public opinion.

I glanced at him, stepped around him, and walked away.

Once we were in the car, Summer looked out the window. Gavin was still kneeling on the ground. She hesitated. "Mom, maybe he really has changed? Maybe we should give him another chance."

I raised an eyebrow and started the engine.

"I already did. He didn't take it."

As we drove past him, I didn't spare him a single glance.

I could tolerate an ungrateful wretch. But I wouldn't let a starving wolf back into my home.

One day, I was in a meeting when I got a call from the hospital.

Summer had been in a car accident.

I ended the meeting immediately and rushed to the hospital.

When I pushed open the door, I saw Summer with a bandaged leg.

I hurried to her side. "Summer, are you all right?"

Her fair face was marked with a few scratches. She smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry."

I wasn't convinced. I asked the doctor for details. It was a rear-end collision that caused a rollover. The car in front had a fuel leak and caught fire.

If Summer hadn't gotten out in time, it would have been much worse.

Just hearing about it made my heart race. I pulled her into a tight hug.

"You scared me to death, sweetheart."

She laughed, patting my back. "Mom, I'm fine. It's all thanks to—"

Before she could finish, someone pushed the door open. He paused when he saw me.

"Mom, you're here."

I looked up. It was Gavin.

10

He was pale. His suit was torn in several places, and his hands were covered in cuts and bandages.

It was a shocking sight.

My heart clenched. Without thinking, I asked, "Gavin, what happened to you?"

Both Gavin and Summer looked startled by my reaction.

I felt a little awkward too. I'd been so harsh before, and now here I was, worried.

That's what mothers are like. No matter how badly their children mess up, they still care instinctively.

I was no different.

Summer took my hand and explained, "Mom, Gavin saved me."

I looked from Summer to Gavin, frowning slightly.

Summer glanced at him, then gently squeezed my hand. "Mom, maybe we should give him another chance."

I was silent for a long moment. Finally, I nodded.

"Fine."

Everyone deserves a second chance. And Gavin's mistakes were partly my fault too.

But the fact that he'd saved Summer showed me there was still goodness in him. Besides, Summer was pleading for him. I couldn't interfere too much in their relationship.

One more chance couldn't hurt.

Gavin's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Mom. I won't let you down."

I looked at him, my voice stern. "But you have to promise me. No more contact with Jade. Ever. If you break that promise, I won't lift a finger to help you again."

His expression turned serious. He nodded. "I understand, Mom. I know now who truly cares about me. I won't make the same mistake again."

He sounded like a man who had truly seen the light.

I studied him in silence for a moment, then let out a sigh.

"I hope so."

11

Gavin moved back into the Ashford villa. Every day, he stayed home, either reading or studying via video in the study.

Sometimes he'd even forget to eat dinner because he was so focused on his studies.

The housekeeper reported this to me faithfully.

I was surprised. Gavin had always been at the bottom of his class. I'd signed him up for countless expensive tutoring sessions, but nothing ever worked.

I'd eventually given up pushing him, not wanting to rob him of his childhood. I lowered my expectations.

Children should be happy, I told myself.

I never expected that after everything, he'd finally developed a thirst for learning.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Seeing this, I felt a small measure of comfort.

I had a camera installed in the study while he was out. It would protect his privacy while letting me monitor his progress so I could plan his next steps.

As for Jade—once Gavin lost his value to her, she went abroad to resume her old trade.

And Summer, bless her, seemed to have forgotten Gavin's past transgressions. Their relationship was actually warmer than before.

When I got home, I found them laughing and talking together.

Seeing me, Summer smiled and pulled me over to the sofa. "Mom, you're back."

Gavin gave me a nervous smile.

I looked at them both. "What's got you two so cheerful?"

Summer's eyes sparkled. "Mom, I've noticed Gavin has some really good ideas about business management. Why don't we let him try working at the company?"

"Is that so?"

I looked at Gavin, who was watching me with hopeful eyes. "Is that what you want?"

Before I'd even finished speaking, he jumped to his feet, nodding eagerly. "Yes!"

So eager, it was like he was afraid I'd change my mind.

When he saw me looking at him, he realized he'd overreacted. He sat back down and added, "If you'd give me this chance, Mom, I'd treasure it."

I glanced at him, then looked away. "Fine. Get ready. I'll arrange your onboarding tomorrow."

His face lit up with barely contained excitement. He couldn't even focus on his reading anymore and soon retreated to his room.

I stood at the top of the stairs, watching his retreating back with cold eyes.

His behavior didn't look like a man eager to prove himself. It looked like someone who had finally achieved something he'd been waiting for.

12

The next day, Summer and I took Gavin to the company.

When he saw the position, his face fell.

"A technician?"

A technician role matched Gavin's major and kept him away from the corporate gossip. In my opinion, it was perfect.

I looked at him. "Gavin, are you unhappy with my arrangement?"

"I…" He looked at me, forcing a smile. "No, I'm happy. Just happy to have a job."

I smiled lightly. "Then do your best."

With that, I left him in the tech department and walked away with Summer.

Back in my office, Secretary Liu knocked and handed me a hard drive. "Ms. Ashford, this is the study's surveillance footage from the past week."

I kept Summer with me and played the footage. A familiar female voice came through.

I smiled faintly.

"Just as I thought."

The housekeeper had been right. Gavin spent every day in the study. But not for studying.

He was video-calling Jade.

Gavin lounged in his chair, reporting everything he'd done, along with every move Summer and I made.

He bragged about how easily he'd fooled us, how stupid we were, how he had us wrapped around his finger.

I looked at Summer, worried about how she'd take it. But her face was calm.

Seeing my surprise, she burst out laughing. "Mom, I've known for a while."

I was stunned. "You knew?"

"A starving wolf can pretend to be a dog, but a wolf is still a wolf."

Her eyes glittered as her smile faded. She looked at me coolly. "But Mom, you can guard against a thief for a thousand days, not every day. If he's a thief, we send him where he belongs."

I looked at her, and for a moment, I saw myself from years ago—proud, defiant, refusing to lose.

This was the child I'd raised.

Proud, confident, mature, composed.

My heart swelled with pride. I smiled brilliantly. "What do you have in mind?"

"Mom, I'll follow your lead."

Her eyes held a hint of worry.

I felt a warmth in my chest. I understood her concern. She was afraid I'd hesitate. After all, Gavin was my own flesh and blood.

But he had shattered my heart beyond repair.

There was no warmth left for him.

I took her hand and spoke each word clearly.

"A thief belongs where thieves go."

13

But before we could make our move, Gavin acted first.

One afternoon, he brought a young man home.

"Mom, this is my friend Vance. He lost his job and came to Seabrook to clear his head. Can he stay with us?"

The young man was handsome—white shirt, black pants, clean and neat. He had that fresh, youthful look about him. Easy on the eyes.

I nodded. "Of course."

Bringing a man home out of nowhere. Was he trying to tempt Summer into making a mistake?

But I'd underestimated Gavin's shamelessness.

Late that night, I was in the study preparing documents for an upcoming project.

The company was about to partner with Nova Group on an S-level project. I was handling it personally. The board was watching closely. Any mistake could undermine my authority.

I was deep in my work when the study door creaked open, revealing a handsome face.

Vance smiled warmly. "Auntie, it's so late. You're still working?"

I frowned, irritated. "Didn't Gavin tell you? No one enters my study without permission."

His face crumpled with panic. "I'm so sorry, Auntie. I just got up for water and saw the light on. I wanted to bring you a glass. I'm really sorry for disturbing you."

His eyes even reddened slightly, like he was so ashamed he could die on the spot.

With his white shirt, he almost looked pitiful.

Diligent, wasn't he?

I narrowed my eyes slightly, softening my tone. "Leave the water. Next time, knock."

He blinked, then broke into a bright smile. "Of course! You work so hard, Auntie. Tomorrow I'll make you my specialty—walnut and almond soup. It's good for the stomach and warms you up."

He set the glass beside my hand. Whether by accident or design, his fingers brushed against mine, sending a faint tingle.

After he left, Summer stepped out from behind the curtains, a teasing smile on her face.

"Mom, looks like you've caught someone's eye. And here I thought he was for me."

I hadn't expected Gavin to try a honey trap on me.

With this.

It was an insult!

I laughed coldly and tossed the entire glass into the trash.

"With tactics like that, he thinks he can take me on?"

14

Back at the company, I told my secretary, "Get Derek Chen in here."

A moment later, a man in a deep blue suit walked in, looking every inch the gentleman.

Until he opened his mouth.

"Ms. Ashford, to what do I owe the honor of being summoned today?"

I rubbed my forehead in exasperation.

I'd known him for over twenty years. He dressed like a peacock every day, desperate for everyone to notice how good-looking he was.

He spotted Summer and smiled. "Summer, you're here too."

She smiled back. "Uncle Derek."

I never stood on ceremony with him. "How's Gavin been doing lately?"

At the mention of Gavin, he rolled his eyes dramatically, his face screaming "I need to vent."

"Claire, you really know how to dump a problem on someone. You left your son with me and washed your hands of it. Let me tell you, his heart's not in it. He keeps asking how to become your secretary. He wants to 'serve you faithfully.'"

My secretary. The person closest to me, with access to all company movements and my own thoughts.

I laughed coldly. "I don't think he wants to serve me. I think he wants to serve whoever's pulling his strings."

Derek blinked, then looked at me like I'd finally caught on. "So you knew. Perfect timing, actually. I came to give you something good—"

He sent me a video, then promptly left, sticking to his policy of staying out of family drama.

I opened the video. Vance and Gavin were talking in a corner of the company.

The gist of it: Vance was supposed to seduce me, get me into bed, film it, and use the footage to force me out of the company.

I'd known about Gavin's plan, but hearing it with my own ears still made me sick to my stomach.

"Since they're in such a hurry, I'll give them a gift they won't forget."

15

Over the next few days, Vance was constantly hovering around me, bringing me food and drinks, acting like he was afraid I'd overwork myself.

Gradually, I started sharing little frustrations about work with him. He listened patiently, always saying the right things.

A soothing flower.

I had to admit, if I were still a young woman, having a man like that around would be hard to resist.

But I wasn't.

So when I looked at Vance, all I saw was a very good actor.

So one day, I brought him into the company. Overriding all objections, I appointed him as my personal secretary.

The joy on his face nearly cracked his gentle, loving mask.

His eyes were soft, but there was a hint of pity and contempt underneath.

Contradictory. He probably thought I'd really fallen for him.

When Gavin heard the news, he stormed into my office, furious. "Mom, why would you make an outsider your secretary? I'm your own son!"

I looked at him expressionlessly. "Because I want to."

His face twisted. "You like him? He's just a—"

But before he could finish, Vance, who was tidying up some files, accidentally knocked over my glass.

It shattered with a sharp crack.

The sound jolted Gavin back to his senses.

His face was still twisted with hatred, but he forced a smile. "Mom, if you like him, I support you."

He looked grotesque and fake.

I couldn't stand to look at him.

I sent him out. A moment later, Vance followed.

I opened the surveillance feed I'd had installed.

Vance was leaning against the stairwell railing, his eyes no longer soft. His whole demeanor had shifted to something lazy and casual.

Gavin was fuming. "Vance, don't think just because that old woman likes you, you've turned into a phoenix. I'm telling you, she doesn't even care about her own son. If I tell her what you're really up to, you'll end up worse off than me!"

Vance's expression flickered. He stared at Gavin. "Are you threatening me?"

Gavin froze. Vance grabbed him by the throat and lifted him slightly, sneering. "Young Master Gavin, right now you need me, not the other way around. As for what you're threatening to tell her—you won't. You're the one who plotted against your own mother. If that gets out, you're finished."

Gavin's face was red, his hands clawing uselessly at Vance's arm.

Vance held him in the air for a moment, then let go.

*Thud!*

Gavin hit the ground hard, crying out in pain.

I couldn't help but smile.

Good. That's how you deal with a brat—beat him black and blue!

In the end, Gavin submitted to Vance's authority. Their roles reversed: Gavin went from employer to servant.

Vance demanded two million dollars. If Gavin couldn't pay, they were done.

Gavin was furious, but he had no choice.

Jade must have emptied her savings to cover it.

After all, Vance was their last hope.

16

Over the next few days, I noticed Vance hovering near me whenever I opened the safe. At night, he'd come to me more boldly.

Sometimes he'd wear just a white shirt, his muscular legs bare.

Sometimes his chest was open, showing off his abs and pecs.

But his face remained innocent.

I smiled on the outside, but inside I was disgusted.

I was a powerful woman, but not every powerful woman falls for a delicate flower.

Especially one with muscles!

So I decided to speed things up.

I pretended the surveillance was broken and let Vance see the safe's combination. Then I left him alone in the office, saying I needed to find a technician.

In reality, I went straight to the security room.

I watched as he carefully opened the safe, pulled out a few documents, and calmly walked out.

One of those documents was the data I'd just compiled—the key to the Nova Group partnership. I hadn't even entered it into the computer yet.

I called the president of Nova Group.

"Old classmate, I need a favor."

Nova Group had been an S-level client even before I took over the company. But no one knew that its president, Zane Zhao, was an old schoolmate of mine. Otherwise, he'd never have worked with a useless man like Harold.

Since I took over, our companies had grown even closer.

That's why he trusted me to handle this partnership, which could make or break both companies.

But Zane was a man of few words.

He didn't like small talk.

When I asked, he simply said, "Fine."

I was delighted. But then he added, "With compensation."

I laughed. "What kind of compensation?"

His deep voice came through the line. "Have dinner with me."

I laughed again.

Just as I expected. I'd known him for ten years. Every time I asked for a difficult favor, he'd ask for compensation. And the compensation was always dinner