Chapter 9
Amelia never imagined in her wildest dreams that THAT WOMAN–Theo’s mistress–would turn out to be her colleague and friend. Ivy Beaumont.
If it had been anyone else, Amelia might have let it go.
After all, it was Theo who had broken their sows. She despised him but refused to stoop to fighting with his mistress–it wasn’t worth her time or dignity.
But Ivy? Ivy was her coworker. Their desks were side by side, and they saw each other every day.
They were close in age, shared similar interests, and had known each other since college
Over the years, they’d built what Amelia thought was a genuine friendship.
They’d confided in each other, chatted about life, and shared personal stories.
Amelia had even told Ivy about her happy moments with Theo.
The betrayal was gut–wrenching.
How ironic, Amelia thought bitterly. Just days ago, Ivy had put on an elaborate show, visiting Evelyn in the hospital and pretending to wish her well.
Now it was clear–Theo and Ivy were master manipulators, perfect in their deceit
The pain of their betrayal felt physical, as if the blood in her veins had turned to ice
Breathing was suddenly difficult, her chest tight with a mix of shock and fury
As Amelia sat in stunned silence, the scene on her screen grew more explicit.
The pair in the video kissed hungrily, their chemistry undeniable.
Clinging to each other as if the world didn’t exist, their actions left nothing to the imagination.
The sight made Amelia feel sick.
For a moment, she thought about storming in to catch them in the act, but she dismissed the idea.
It wasn’t worth it.
She calculated the odds–Theo never last long. By the time she got there, it would be over
Instead, she made herself watch every second of the humiliating encounter, refusing to look away.
The burn of humiliation was scaring, but she endured it, recording the entire sordid scenk and saving it to a USB drive.
The first person she showed the video to was Evelyn.
Evelyn had survived the critical phase of her illness, though her body remained fragile.
Surgery wasn’t an option until she recovered further, and the experience had softened her personality.
But despite everything. Evelyn still clung to the naive belief that Theo might forgive them and take Amelia back if she just apologized sincerely.
That belief was shattered the moment Amelia played the video.
Evelyn’s face paled, and she nearly fainted from the shock. Her idealized image of Theo as the perfect son–in–law was obliterated in an instant.
Amelia, however, remained calm. She pointed to Ivy on the screen and asked evenly. “Mom, the day you tried to take your own life, did Ivy say something to you!”
Loclyn hesitated, her brow furrowing in thought, before nodding slowly, “Yes, we had a brief conversation.
The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
Amelia hnally understood
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Chapter 9
That night. Theo and Ivy hadn’t just betrayed her–they’d wanted her and Evelyn completely out of the picture.
She also came to a stark realization: no matter how much kindness you show to malicious people, their hearts will never soften. They will always be plotting, always scheming.
At lunchtime. Theo called her with barely concealed eagerness.
He boasted that he’d stayed up all night drafting the divorce papers and insisted they meet immediately to sign them.
Amelia didn’t hesitate. She agreed and arranged to meet him at a popular restaurant near the hospital
When she walked in. Theo rose from his seat with a self–satisfied smirk.
With a theatrical gesture, he handed her the document. “Here’s our Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Hurry up and sign it.”
‘t even trying to hide it.
His arrogance was palpable–his triumphant expression, his smug grin. He wasn’t even
Amelia wasn’t in a rush. She eased into her chair, leisurely flipping through the divorce terms clause by clause.
The conditions were outrageously one–sided
a few minutes, she tapped a finger on the compensation figure and said coolly, “Add another zero here, and I’ll agree to the divorce.”
After a f
Theo’s eyes bulged in disbelief. “Ten million dollars? Are you insane? If I don’t give you a single cent now, your mom will die in that hospital. Then you can sob over her corpse!”
Amelia’s expression didn’t falter. Instead, she offered a faint smile and, without a word, reached into her bag to retrieve a thick stack of photos.
She spread them out neatly on the table. “Or we could trade these instead.”
Intrigued despite himself, Theo leaned closer to inspect the photos.
The moment he recognized the images, his face went ashen, panic s
spreading across his features.
His cheeks flushed deep red, as though someone had caught him red–handed.
The photos were frames taken directly from the scandalous video.
Each one vividly captured his explicit “moments of passion” with Ivy,
They left nothing to the imagination.
Theo was momentarily struck dumb. When he finally found his voice, he sputtered, “W–Where did you get these? You shameless gold–digger!”
Amelia’s smirk deepened, her tone dripping with mockery “And who’s the real shameless one here!
“You’ve been desperate to
TC of any marital assets because you’re afraid 111 jeopardize your company’s interests and inheritance.
“If that’s the case, you should think twice before shortchanging me on the settlement?
“Shut up!” Then snapped his temper flaring as his composure crumbled.
Amelia remained unshaken. Her voice was calm, measured. “Relax, Theo. Think carefully. If these photos were to end up in front of your oh–so- moralistic parents, what do you think would happen?
“Would they still trust you to inherit the family business? Don’t forget–you’re not their only son, and worse, not even the REAL one”
Theo’s face contorted in rage, but the words caught in his throat. The reminder struck his most vulnerable nerve–he wasn’t their biological child.
Years ago. Theo’s adoptive parents had struggled with infertility, enduring countless failed IVF attempts.
In desperation, they adopted him from an orphanage.
Bait fate had other plans.
Just a year later, Mrs. Hartwell miraculously conceived. From then on, Theo became little more than a peripheral figure in the Hartwell household.
While his basic needs were met, he was never truly embraced as part of the family, let alone considered an heir.
Instead, their biological son, Ryder Hartwell, became the pride and focus of the family.
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Chapter 9
years ago—vowing never to return–that Theo finally got
For years, Theo lived in Ryder’s shadow, It wasn’t until Ryder moved abroad three ye chance to step into the Hartwell family business:
With his adoptive parents aging. Then used the opportunity to secure a foothold at the family business
But deep down, Theo knew his position was fragile. He wasn’t blood–related, and one slip–up could cost him everything
If his parents lost faith in him, he’d be cast out as easily as he’d been brought in.
Thea clenched his fists under the table, his mind racing.
No matter how humiliating or ruthless he had to be, he couldn’t let Amelia destroy the career and future he’d fought so hard to secure.
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