The Heir's Downfall

On the day of my son’s return home, instead of a warm family reunion, I was met with demands to hand over control of the group and abandon the daughter-in-law I cherished.

My gaze was as sharp as a blade.

“Freeze all his bank accounts. Seize every property and vehicle. Have the company issue a public statement severing all ties with Gavin Warrington.”

“Let’s see how far a useless brat without the Warrington name can flounder.”

01

Inside the Warrington estate, the air felt frozen solid.

I stared straight at Gavin, my voice icy. “Say that again.”

He lifted his chin, clutching the woman beside him tightly, and declared loudly, “Mom, I want a divorce. I’ve found my true love. I’m going to marry Ivy.”

I narrowed my eyes, letting my gaze fall on the woman.

She was young, not bad-looking, dressed in a simple white dress that made her appear fresh and vibrant. But the frivolity between her brows was impossible to hide.

One glance, and I knew exactly what she was.

I let out a cold laugh. “You want to leave Sylvia for a socialite?”

Gavin hadn’t expected me to expose Ivy’s background so bluntly. His face darkened as he snapped, “Mom, I won’t let you slander her! I’ve been abroad all these years, and Ivy took care of me. I can’t betray her. And Ivy’s feelings for me are genuine—unlike Sylvia, who only married me for the family’s money!”

Before he could finish, I saw my daughter-in-law’s face turn deathly pale. I cut him off sharply. “Shut up!”

Having been in power for so long, I rarely lost my temper. Gavin froze on the spot, terrified.

My expression was like ice. “The reason you had it easy at that school abroad? Sylvia asked her senior to pull strings for you. Otherwise, do you really think that prestigious professor would have looked twice at a failure like you?”

I cast a contemptuous glance at Ivy. That seductive air about her—she was clearly a veteran of the nightlife. How else could she have so thoroughly bewitched my foolish son?

My voice was as cold as shards of ice. “You spent three years abroad, and Sylvia waited for you at home for three years. She hoped for you for three years. And you use trash like this to humiliate her? A woman who knowingly throws herself at a married man, and you’re singing her praises? Do you have no eyes or no brain?”

In my fury, I hurled the teacup in my hand at Gavin’s feet.

Seeing me so agitated, Sylvia quickly stood up, soothing me while urging, “Mom, don’t be angry. Gavin is just confused for a moment…”

But that only provoked Gavin further. He shot Sylvia a disgusted look and sneered.

“I’m not confused. I’ve never been clearer! Mom, I just don’t like Sylvia. I have to marry Ivy.”

Sylvia was the daughter of my best friend, a heiress of the Ashford family. After her parents died in a plane crash and her relatives fought over the inheritance, I took her in.

She was intelligent and capable, now a mid-level executive at Warrington Holdings. Marrying my son was, in my eyes, a compromise for her.

But my foolish son couldn’t see his good fortune and had stirred up this mess.

I furrowed my brows. “Gavin, you’ve lost your mind!”

Gavin laughed coldly, straightening his back with a look of reckless determination.

“Mom, whether you agree or not, I’ve made up my mind. Even if you say no, I’ll post on social media to announce my separation from Sylvia. When that happens, it’ll be Sylvia who’s humiliated.”

I lifted my gaze, my eyes like knives. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m just stating the facts.”

A glimmer of triumph flashed in Gavin’s eyes as he grinned arrogantly. “Before Dad died, he told me he’d made a will. I’m supposed to take over Warrington Holdings when I turn twenty-five. Mom, it’s time for you to step down.”

02

Seeing his smugness, my heart felt frozen, and I could barely breathe.

He stepped forward, his eyes filled with hatred as he stared at me.

“You’ve never cared about me since I was a kid. All you did was force me to do things I hated. As soon as Dad died, you shipped me abroad just to keep me away from the company so you could hold onto power. But I won’t let you have your way.”

At that moment, we weren’t mother and son—we were mortal enemies.

A chill ran through my heart.

Decades of hardship and sacrifice, and all I got in return was my son’s hatred.

I took a deep breath, clenching my fists. “I sent you abroad because the company was in the middle of a power struggle. I was afraid someone would use you as leverage to hurt you. I never thought you’d see me this way.”

Seeing my face pale with anger, Gavin’s expression wavered slightly.

Then Ivy swayed her hips forward, smiling sweetly. “Auntie, you sure talk pretty. But now the company answers only to you. Why won’t you let Gavin come home? If he hadn’t sneaked back, who knows how long you’d keep him trapped abroad?”

I whipped my head around to glare at Ivy, finally understanding. I let out a cold laugh.

“So that’s why Gavin dropped out without even getting his diploma. You put him up to it.”

Without that diploma, those three years were wasted. I had planned for him to get the certificate first—it would give him leverage over the subordinates. Then I could teach him the ropes, and in a few years, I’d feel confident handing the company over to the young couple.

I never expected this to be twisted into something sinister.

All my painstaking guidance, undone by a few words from a woman.

I felt like all the bitterness of those years was nothing but a joke.

“I’m not manipulating him. It’s the truth. I won’t believe you anymore.”

The moment I said one word, Gavin rushed to defend Ivy.

Expressionless, I stared at the pair and said coldly, “Gavin, your father never made a will. I got to where I am on my own. If you want to fight me, I’ll be waiting. But—”

I glanced at Ivy. “If you want to marry her, get out of the Warrington family.”

03

Gavin frowned. “What do you mean?”

I stared at him, my face blank. “I’m being clear. From today, you have nothing to do with the Warrington family. Everything that belongs to the Warringtons has nothing to do with you.”

Gavin’s face changed, and he glared at me furiously. “The Warrington family is Dad’s legacy to me. How can it have 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 afraid in the slightest.

Seeing my unyielding stance, Gavin’s eyes flickered. Then Ivy whispered something in his ear, and he suddenly broke into a smug, arrogant grin.

“I’ll get Grandpa to come talk to you! The company will be mine!”

With that, he shot a contemptuous glance at Sylvia and me, grabbed Ivy’s hand, and walked away without looking back.

Watching them disappear, a flicker of exhaustion crossed my eyes.

Sylvia helped me sit back down, her brow furrowed. “Mom, Gavin is really bewitched by that woman. What do we do?”

I kept my expression calm. “I misjudged him. I thought he was clever when he was young, but in the end, he’s just mud that won’t stick to the wall. I’m sorry you have to go through this, Sylvia.”

Sylvia shook her head. “Mom, without you, I wouldn’t be here. I did this willingly.”

Seeing her so understanding only made my heart ache more.

Sylvia added, “Maybe I should talk to him.”

“No need. He’s been abroad too long. He’s forgotten who really runs the Warrington family.”

I laughed coldly. “Freeze all accounts under Gavin’s name. Reclaim all houses and cars. Have the company issue a statement cutting ties with Gavin.”

Sylvia nodded but seemed hesitant.

I clapped my hands, my eyes cold and distant.

“Let’s see how far a useless brat without the Warrington name can flounder.”

04

Half an hour later, I had Ivy’s entire background laid out before me.

Her parents were divorced. She followed her father to the U.S., where he remarried. But he went bankrupt five years ago and killed himself. Ivy ended up living with her stepmother.

The sob story about a cruel stepmother? It was all a lie. She was just greedy for luxury, mingling at parties to hook rich men, then getting pregnant to extort huge settlements from wealthy heirs.

Everyone in the expat circles avoided her. But my fool son? All it took was a few sweet words from Ivy, and he went running.

Now he was turning against me for her.

I wondered if the Warrington family’s arrogance and stupidity were genetic.

I pressed my hand to my forehead, exhausted.

Just then, two men barged past security into my office.

The older one started demanding, “Claire, you kicked my grandson out of the Warrington family? Who gave you the nerve? Don’t forget, this company belongs to the Warringtons, not you, Claire!”

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

I stared at them both, saying nothing.

Seeing that intimidation didn’t work, the old man shifted to a gentler tone. “Is a divorce really worth all this drama? He’s my son’s heir, your own son! He’s supposed to take over the company! No matter how much you love Sylvia, when you’re old, it’s your son who’ll take care of you. Think about the bigger picture!”

Gavin stood behind him, smug and triumphant, as if he’d found his champion.

“Mom, if you accept Ivy and let me inherit the company, I’ll let bygones be bygones. I’ll still take care of you.”

Let bygones be bygones?

I couldn’t help but laugh. I laughed until I couldn’t stop.

The old man and Gavin stared at me, bewildered.

I stood up, walked slowly to the old man, and smiled sweetly. “When your son cheated, you told me to think about the bigger picture. Did I compromise then?”

At that, the old man’s face went pale.

I raised a finger and wagged it. “I didn’t. And I won’t now.”

05

Gavin’s face twisted in frustration. He hadn’t expected me to be so unyielding—not even his trump card, Grandpa, could sway me.

I smiled at the two of them and couldn’t help but remark, “You two really are cut from the same cloth. You love flashy women. Keeping a wife at home and a mistress on the side—is that a family tradition passed down through generations?”

The old man had taken a mistress thirty years younger, who swindled him out of everything and drove my mother-in-law to an early grave.

Gavin’s father, Harold, built the company with my help, only to flirt 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 wither away or die young. I’d make him suffer.

It took me three years to buy up all the company’s scattered shares, making me the largest shareholder. I kicked Harold out of the company and made him watch as I systematically purged his former underlings.

Including his precious secretary.

He turned to drinking, and within a few years, he was done for.

On his deathbed, he cursed me bitterly. I didn’t care.

Now, it seemed the curse might have come true.

My son had become the very scum I despised most.

Gavin, however, looked deeply offended. “How can you insult Grandpa like that? And Ivy isn’t a 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 love.

I almost wanted to applaud.

When he saw I wasn’t moved, he softened his tone. “Mom—”

But I cut him off. “I’m not your mom. We’ve already cut ties. And—”

My gaze landed on the old man. “I support you in your old age out of obligation, not so you can make trouble for me. I can kick you out of the Warrington family anytime. Understood?”

The old man’s face turned red with rage as he pointed at me. “Claire, you—”

But I couldn’t stand to see them any longer. I signaled the security guards, who “politely” dragged them out.

Before he left, Gavin shot me one last defiant look. “I’ll make you regret this! The company will be mine!”

Regret?

I already regretted giving birth to such a creature to torment myself.

06

Within a minute of the company’s announcement cutting ties with Gavin, social media exploded.

The company account even pinned the statement, making sure everyone saw it.

Family feuds among the wealthy were exactly the kind of juicy gossip netizens loved.

Everyone speculated about the backstory. Some media outlets tried to dig up the Warrington family’s past for clues.

When I heard about it, I told my people to loosen the reins and let a few things slip.

Soon, they uncovered the old man’s and Harold’s dirty deeds.

And Gavin’s scandalous life abroad with Ivy.

Before long, private photos of their wild parties and explicit bedroom shots were all over the internet.

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

At the same time, the wealthy heirs Ivy had extorted in the past posted her history online, complete with photos.

I scrolled through the pictures. Ivy was wearing nothing but a few strings, posing in all sorts of “seductive” positions.

I felt sick to my stomach.

Then Gavin called, 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, utterly speechless.

Yes, I had fanned the flames, but I hadn’t exaggerated or fabricated anything.

He did the deeds himself. When they came to light, it was somehow my fault.

The hypocrisy was staggering.

I said coldly, “Gavin, you need evidence for accusations like that. Without it, I can sue you for defamation.”

He snorted dismissively, then declared, “I won’t give in to you!”

He hung up with a click.

I smirked slightly.

Good. Don’t give in. I’ll just treat it as raising an ungrateful wretch. If he gave in, the game wouldn’t be fun anymore.

07

Over the next few days, the buzz died down. But then Gavin dropped a bombshell.

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 suppression. He even hinted that I might be responsible for Harold’s death.

He wept and wailed, playing the part of a trusting son betrayed by his mother.

With my brother-in-law and father-in-law backing him up, and even the old secretary adding fuel to the fire, the performance was convincing.

The reporters’ cameras flashed nonstop.

I was painted as a venomous woman who killed her husband, imprisoned her son, and stole the family fortune.

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

The narrative flipped overnight. I became the target of widespread condemnation.

I didn’t care about the舆论, but I couldn’t let hidden competitors target the company now.

The head of PR looked grim. “Ms. Warrington, what do we do?”

“Since they’re being ruthless, don’t blame me for returning the favor.”

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

“Who says I can’t hold a press conference?”

But I wouldn’t just talk. I’d bring proof.

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

The charge: defamation of character.

At the press conference, I presented Harold’s medical records from over the years and a detailed account of the money the secretary had swindled from him.

Most importantly, I showed the authorization certificate for my forty-five percent stake in the company.

They could cry and play the victim. So could I.

“Warrington Holdings was built by Harold and me through years of hard work. I originally held twenty percent of the shares. But when Harold cheated, he tried to force me out with nothing, using Gavin as leverage. I refused to back down and quietly bought up the company’s scattered shares, becoming the largest shareholder. Because of Harold’s misconduct, the board voted to remove him.

“At first, the company was in turmoil. I sent Gavin abroad for his safety, but he wasted his time, failing his courses year after year. I had no choice but to extend his studies. And that was twisted into imprisonment and oppression.

“Maybe my parenting was wrong.

“But I was betrayed by my husband. I hate men who betray their wives more than anything. That’s why I kicked him out—to give him time to cool down.

“But today, I see I was gravely mistaken. He won’t change. He won’t admit his mistakes.

“As Gavin’s mother, I hereby announce that I am severing all ties with him.”

08

The press conference, along with the court summons, cleared my name completely.

I was now the pitiful woman betrayed by her husband and son after decades of sacrifice.

The company’s e-commerce platform saw its inventory sell out overnight as netizens rushed to support me.

Even more, because I didn’t wallow in depression or bitterness despite the betrayal, I became a symbol of empowered women.

Many wives facing marital crises looked up to me and found the strength to rebuild their lives.

In my spare time, I received countless private messages and took the time to offer guidance.

I posted a pinned message on my account:

“I’m not encouraging 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.”

Overnight, my popularity rivaled that of A-list celebrities.

Gavin, on the other hand, fared far worse.

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

I had taken back all 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. Gavin and Ivy ended up in the cheapest motel.

He tried to find a job, but with the current backlash, no one would hire him.

He hit dead ends everywhere.

One day, as Sylvia and I were walking to the parking lot, laughing and chatting, a shadow suddenly lunged at us.

I jumped back, and Sylvia quickly stepped in front of me.

“Who’s there!”

The shadow froze, then spoke after a long pause. “Mom, it’s me.”

That voice was familiar.

I looked closely. The man before me, ragged and haggard, was Gavin.

It had only been two weeks, but he was gaunt, with dark circles practically dragging to the floor.

Clearly, he was in a miserable state.

I kept my expression flat and said coldly, “I’m not your mom.”

His face stiffened. He stammered, “I’m… I’m apologizing, okay? I’ve cut ties with Ivy. Please let me come home.”

09

I paused and exchanged a glance with Sylvia.

Was this surrender?

That was fast.

I was skeptical, but he had already broken my heart.

I walked past him coldly, ignoring him.

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

“Mom, after everything, I finally realize you’re the only one who truly cares about me. I was wrong. I’m so wrong. Please let me come home. I have nowhere else to go.”

What kind of stunt was this?

I frowned and said coldly, “Gavin, we’ve already cut ties. What happens to you is none of my business.”

He hung his head low, looking genuinely remorseful, his voice choked with tears. “Mom, I’m your own son. How can you be so heartless?”

Heartless?

He hadn’t thought about that when he held that press conference to turn public opinion against me.

I glanced at him, then walked around him and strode away.

Once I was in the car, Sylvia looked out the window and saw Gavin still kneeling on the ground. She hesitated. “Mom, maybe he really has changed. Should we give him another chance?”

I raised an eyebrow and started the engine.

“I already did. He didn’t take it.”

As I drove past Gavin, I didn’t spare him a glance.

I could tolerate an ungrateful wretch, but I wouldn’t keep a starving wolf by my side.

10

One day, during a meeting, I got a call from the hospital.

Sylvia had been in a car accident.

I immediately adjourned the meeting and rushed to the hospital.

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

I hurried over. “Sylvia, are you okay?”

Her fair face had a few scratches, but she smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry.”

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

If Sylvia hadn’t gotten out in time, the injuries would have been far worse.

Just hearing about it made my heart race. I hugged Sylvia tightly.

“You scared me to death, sweetheart.”

Sylvia laughed and patted my back. “Mom, I’m fine this time, thanks to—”

Before she could finish, the door opened and someone walked in. He paused when he saw me.

“Mom, you’re here.”

I looked up. It was Gavin.

11

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

It was a shocking sight.

My heart clenched, and I asked instinctively, “Gavin, what happened to you?”

Both Gavin and Sylvia were startled by my reaction.

I felt a bit awkward. I had been the one to cut ties, and now I was the one worrying.

That’s just how mothers are. No matter how badly their children mess up, they can’t help but care.

I was no different.

Sylvia took my hand and explained, “Mom, Gavin saved me.”

I looked from Sylvia to Gavin, my brow furrowing.

Sylvia glanced at Gavin, then gently squeezed my hand. “Mom, maybe we should give him another chance.”

I was silent for a long moment before finally nodding.

“Alright.”

Everyone makes mistakes. Gavin’s mistakes were partly my fault too.

But the fact that he saved Sylvia showed me he still had a good heart. And since Sylvia was pleading for him, I couldn’t interfere too much in their relationship.

So I gave him one more chance.

Gavin’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Mom! I won’t let you down.”

I looked at him sternly. “But you have to promise me—no more contact with Ivy. If you break that promise, I won’t care what happens to you.”

Gavin’s expression turned serious, and he nodded. “I understand, Mom. I know now who truly cares about me. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

He seemed genuinely reformed, like a lost soul who had found his way back.

I stared at him silently for a moment, then sighed. “I hope so.”

12

Gavin moved back into the Warrington estate. He stayed home every day, either reading books or studying via video calls in the study.

Sometimes he even forgot to eat dinner because he was so focused.

The housekeeper reported this to me.

I was astonished. Gavin had always been at the bottom of his class. I had spent a fortune on tutoring, but nothing ever worked.

I had eventually given up pushing him, deciding that as long as he was happy, that was enough.

I never expected that after everything, he would finally develop a love for learning.

It was a classic case of “a blessing in disguise.”

Seeing this, I felt a little relieved.

I had a camera installed in the study while he was away. It would protect his pride while allowing me to monitor his progress and plan his next steps.

As for Ivy, once she realized Gavin had lost his value, she went abroad to return to her old ways.

And Sylvia, as if forgetting Gavin’s past behavior, seemed to grow closer to him.

When I came home one day, I found them laughing and chatting together.

When Sylvia saw me, she smiled and pulled me to the sofa. “Mom, you’re back!”

Gavin gave me a nervous smile.

I looked at them. “What’s so funny?”

Sylvia said excitedly, “Mom, I’ve noticed Gavin has some really good ideas about management. Why not let him try working at the company?”

“Is that so?”

I looked at Gavin, who was also eager. “Do you want to?”

Before I could finish, he jumped to his feet, nodding frantically. “Yes!”

His eagerness was almost as if he was afraid I’d change my mind.

When he saw me watching him, he realized he had overreacted and sat back down, adding, “If you give me this chance, Mom, I’ll treasure it.”

I glanced at him and then looked away. “Alright. Get ready. I’ll arrange your onboarding tomorrow.”

He was so overjoyed that he couldn’t focus on his studies anymore and soon went to his room to rest.

I stood at the top of the stairs, watching his retreating back coldly.

His reaction seemed less like he was eager to prove himself and more like he had finally achieved something he had been waiting for.

13

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

When he saw his position, his face fell.

“A technician?”

It was a role that matched his major and kept him away from the company’s gossip. I thought it was perfect.

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

“I…” He forced a smile. “No, I’m happy just to have a job.”

I smiled lightly. “Then do your best.”

With that, I left him at the tech department and walked away with Sylvia.

Once we were in my office, my secretary, Cedric, knocked and handed me a hard drive. “Ms. Warrington, this is the surveillance footage from the study this week.”

I kept Sylvia there and opened the footage. A familiar female voice came through.

I smirked.

“Just as I thought.”

As the housekeeper had said, Gavin spent every day in the study. But not for studying.

He was video-calling Ivy.

Gavin lounged in his chair, reporting everything he had done, as well as every move Sylvia and I made.

He boasted smugly about how he had fooled both of us, calling us stupid and easy to manipulate.

I looked at Sylvia, worried about how she might react. But she was completely calm.

Seeing my surprise, she let out a soft laugh. “Mom, I already knew.”

I was stunned. “You knew?”

“A wolf can pretend to be a dog, but it’s still a wolf.”

Her eyes sparkled as she met my gaze calmly. “But, Mom, you can guard against a thief for a thousand days, but you can’t be a thief for a thousand days. Since he’s a thief, we should send him where he belongs.”

I looked at her and saw a reflection of my younger self—proud, defiant, and unyielding.

This was the child I had raised.

Proud, confident, mature, and composed.

A surge of pride filled my heart, and I smiled brightly. “What do you want to do?”

“Mom, I’ll follow your lead.”

Her eyes held a hint of concern.

My heart warmed. I understood her worry—she was afraid I might hesitate because Gavin was my biological son.

But he had already shattered my heart.

There was no warmth left.

I took her hand and said firmly, “A thief belongs where thieves go.”

14

But before we could act, Gavin made his move.

One afternoon, he brought a young man home.

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

The young man was handsome, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, clean and polished. He had a youthful, student-like charm that was easy on the eyes.

I nodded. “Of course.”

Bringing a man home out of the blue—was he trying to tempt Sylvia into making a mistake?

But I had underestimated Gavin’s lack of shame.

Late that night, I was still in the study working on documents for an upcoming project.

The company was about to partner with Zenith Holdings on an S-level deal. I was handling everything personally, and the board was watching my every move. Any mistake could undermine my authority.

As I was reading, the study door opened, revealing a handsome face.

Vance smiled warmly. “Auntie, it’s so late. You’re still working?”

I frowned, annoyed. “Didn’t Gavin tell you? You’re not allowed in my study without permission.”

Vance’s face immediately fell into a flustered, apologetic expression. “I’m so sorry, Auntie. I just got up for some water and saw the light on. I wanted to bring you a glass of water. I’m really sorry for disturbing you.”

As he spoke, his eyes even reddened slightly, as if he was so ashamed he could die on the spot.

With his white shirt, he looked almost pitiful.

Diligent, wasn’t he?

I narrowed my eyes slightly and softened my tone. “Leave the water. Next time, knock.”

He paused, then beamed. “Of course! Auntie, you work so hard. Tomorrow, I’ll make you my specialty—walnut and almond soup. It’s good for your health and warms the stomach.”

He set the water down beside me, and whether by accident or design, his fingers brushed against the back of my hand. It tickled slightly.

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

“Mom, looks like you’ve caught someone’s eye. And he’s meant for you.”

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

With someone like this.

It was an insult!

I laughed coldly and tossed the glass of water into the trash.

“Is that the best they’ve got?”

15

Back at the office, I instructed my secretary, “Get Cedric in here.”

Soon, a man in a deep blue suit walked in, looking every bit the gentleman.

But the moment he spoke, the illusion shattered.

“Ms. Warrington, what’s the occasion? You’ve summoned me?”

I rubbed my forehead, exasperated.

I’d known him for over twenty years. He dressed like a peacock every day, as if afraid people wouldn’t notice how handsome he was.

When he saw Sylvia, he smiled. “Sylvia, you’re here too.”

Sylvia smiled back. “Uncle Cedric.”

I never bothered with pleasantries with him. “How’s Gavin been doing lately?”

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

“Claire, you really know how to dump a problem on me. You left your son in my hands and washed your own clean. Let me tell you, your son’s heart isn’t in the tech department. He’s been asking how to become your secretary. He wants to ‘serve you well.’”

My secretary?

That was the position closest to me, giving access to the company’s动向 and my intentions.

I laughed coldly. “He doesn’t want to serve me. He wants to serve the people behind him.”

Cedric blinked, then looked at me as if I’d finally caught on. “So you knew. Good. I actually came to give you something good today.”

He sent me a video.

True to his policy of staying out of family drama, he left the office immediately.

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

The gist of it was: Vance was to seduce me, record the act, and use the video to blackmail me into stepping down.

I had already known about Gavin’s plan, but hearing it still made my blood run cold.

“Since they’re in such a hurry, I’ll give them a gift they won’t forget.”

16

Over the next few days, Vance appeared in front of me constantly, bringing me food and drinks, as if afraid I’d overwork myself.

Gradually, I started sharing some of my frustrations about the company, and he never tired of comforting me.

Everything he said and did was perfectly timed.

A soothing flower.

I couldn’t help but think that if I were still a young woman, having a man like this around would make it hard not to fall for him.

But I wasn’t.

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

So one day, I brought him into the company. Overruling all objections, I promoted him to my personal secretary.

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

His eyes were soft but held a trace of pity and disdain.

It was contradictory. He probably thought I had really fallen for him.

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

I looked at him expressionlessly and said simply, “Because I want to.”

His face twisted. “You like him? He’s just a—”

Before he could finish, Vance, who was tidying up some documents, accidentally knocked over my glass.

The sharp crash jolted Gavin back to his senses.

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

He looked grotesque and hypocritical.

Just looking at him made me sick.

I told him to leave, and soon after, Vance made an excuse to follow.

I turned on the hidden camera I had installed.

Vance was leaning lazily against the stairwell railing. His eyes were no longer soft—his whole demeanor had shifted to something casual and indifferent.

Gavin, on the other hand, was furious. “Vance, don’t think you’re some kind of phoenix just because that old woman likes you. I’m telling you, she doesn’t even care about her own son. If I tell her what you’re up to, you’ll end up worse than me!”

Vance’s expression darkened. He stared straight at Gavin. “Are you threatening me?”

Gavin froze. Then Vance grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up, sneering. “Mr. Warrington, you’re the one begging me to do your dirty work. And as for telling her—you wouldn’t dare. You’re the one who conspired with an outsider to frame your own mother. If that got out, you’d be finished.”

Gavin’s face turned red as he clawed at Vance’s arm.

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

*Thud!*

Gavin hit the ground hard, letting out a pained cry.

I couldn’t help but smile.

Good. That’s what a spoiled brat deserved—a good beating.

In the end, Gavin caved to Vance’s intimidation, going from employer to lackey.

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

Gavin was furious but had no choice.

Ivy must have emptied her savings to cover it.

After all, Vance was their last hope.

17

Over the next few days, I noticed Vance lingering around whenever I opened the safe. At night, he became even bolder, coming to see me.

Sometimes he wore only a white shirt, showing off his muscular legs.

Other times, he left his chest bare, displaying his abs and pecs.

But his face always wore that innocent expression.

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

I was a powerful woman, but not every powerful woman was into delicate flowers.

Especially not one with bulging muscles.

So I decided to speed things up.

I pretended the security camera was broken and let Vance see the safe’s password. Then I left him alone in the office, saying I was going to find a technician.

Instead, I went to the surveillance room.

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

One of those documents was the data