Chapter 4

Summer's POV

Looking at Chloe's fake, innocent face made my stomach churn.

In my past life, it was this exact fragile act that fooled everyone and pushed me off the edge of a building.

"Admit my mistakes?" I sneered, taking a step forward and backing her into a pillar. "And what exactly did I do wrong? Was it being blind enough to love a piece of trash like Ethan, or was it not tearing down a fake snake like you sooner?"

Chloe's face turned pale. She took a step back, her eyes instantly filling with tears. "Summer, how can you say that? I only came here to help you..."

"Help me?" I cut her off ruthlessly. "By bringing Ethan's pity to rub in my face? Chloe, drop the act. This is Sterling Tech, not your personal stage. Get the hell out."

"Summer, don't you dare push your luck!"

A furious roar echoed from the entrance.

Ethan stormed into the lobby, pulling Chloe behind him. He glared at me. "Chloe came here out of the goodness of her heart, and you're acting like a psycho! I'm telling you, you will sign this buyout contract today, or you can get ready for bankruptcy and prison!"

Ethan slammed a hostile takeover agreement right in front of my face.

I didn't even look at it. I grabbed the papers, ripped them into shreds, and threw them into the air.

The white pieces drifted down like snow.

"Ethan, do you really think you've won?" I asked, my eyes cold and fearless.

"Oh, I know I have," Ethan laughed. "I have your core data. Your investors are gone. What do you have to fight me with? Summer, kneel down, beg me, and apologize to Chloe. Maybe then I'll leave you with some dignity."

"Kneel to her?" I laughed as if he had lost his mind. "Ethan, did you hit your head this morning?"

"You!" Ethan's face flushed with rage. He raised his hand, aiming to slap me.

But before his hand could descend, a powerful grip caught his wrist mid-air.

Adrian had appeared behind me. His eyes were like deadly daggers, his entire aura radiating a terrifying, suffocating anger.

"Ethan, who gave you the right to touch what's mine?"

Adrian shoved him back. Ethan stumbled, nearly crashing to the polished floor.

"Adrian..." Ethan's voice shook, his face turning pale as he stared at his uncle. "You're going against me for this woman?"

"She is my legal wife," Adrian said, his voice deadly quiet. "Who are you to yell at her in her own building?"

Ethan clenched his fists, staring at me with a mix of shock, anger, and a strange, bitter jealousy.

In all the years I had known him, I had never seen that expression on his face. He looked like someone had stolen his most prized possession, leaving him utterly humiliated.

"Fine! Great!" Ethan laughed bitterly. "Adrian, if you want to protect her so badly, don't blame me for what comes next. Let's see how you save a bankrupt, empty shell of a company!"

With that, Ethan grabbed Chloe and stormed out.

The lobby fell into a tense silence.

I turned to Adrian. "You just..."

"I told you, I'll handle the fallout," Adrian interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll have my finance team transfer enough funds to cover Sterling Tech's deficit. As for the mole who leaked your data, I'll have them hunted down."

Looking at him, a complex wave of emotion hit my chest.

"Adrian, why are you doing all this for me?"

Adrian looked at me, a deep, unreadable emotion swirling in his dark eyes.

"Because," he murmured, his voice low and commanding, "you are Mrs. Mercer now. And my woman only stomps on others. She doesn't get stomped on."