Chapter 4

I froze for a second, then rage shot through me.

"Julian, what game are you playing!"

I grabbed my bag and chased after him, blocking his path.

"Are you insane? You signed the papers, you brought me here, and now, at the finish line, you're backing out?"

Julian looked down at me, his eyes as deep and lifeless as stagnant water.

"I changed my mind. Is that not allowed?"

His righteous attitude made me laugh in anger.

"Why? If you care about Serena so much, why won't you divorce me to make room for her? Keeping me as your legal wife, forcing her to be a mistress in the shadows her whole life. Is that your love for her?"

"Shut up." Julian roared, a vein throbbing faintly on his temple. "Serena and I don't have that kind of relationship. I promised to take care of you for life, and I won't break my word. The position of Mrs. Thorne can only be yours."

Take care of me for life?

That declaration, which once moved me to tears, now sounded utterly chilling.

"Your 'care' is treating me like a trophy wife, then pouring all your emotions and energy into another woman?" I looked at him coldly. "Julian, I don't need your pity. I'm divorcing you, no matter what."

I didn't bother with him anymore, turning to walk towards my car.

Since an amicable divorce wasn't possible, I would have to sue.

The next morning, I went straight to my lawyer and filed a divorce petition with the court.

I thought this would be a long, drawn-out battle.

But I underestimated Julian's methods, and I overestimated my own leverage.

On the third day after filing the lawsuit, Apex Tech ran into trouble.

The company's largest supplier suddenly announced a unilateral termination of our contract. Immediately after, two investment firms that had agreed to fund us simultaneously pulled out, and even the bank froze our loan facility.

In just one day, the company's funding completely dried up.

My partners were frantic, calling me one after another.

"Ms. Hayes, what's going on? The supplier is even willing to pay the breach of contract penalty; they're determined to cut ties with us!"

"The investors said they received a 'message from above' and couldn't fund us anymore."

I sat in my office, looking at the continually flashing red numbers on my computer screen, feeling a chill run through me.

In this industry, only one person had such immense power and could precisely squeeze Apex Tech's lifeline.

Julian.

He didn't even bother to conceal his actions, openly telling me: he could crush me as easily as an ant.

I grabbed my car keys and sped all the way to Thorne Corp.

This time, I didn't knock; I pushed open the door to the executive office directly.

Julian was sitting behind his large desk, a cup of coffee in his hand, casually reading a document.

Seeing me rush in, out of breath, he didn't even lift an eyelid.

"Julian, you're despicable!" I charged to his desk, slamming my hands on the surface. "How dare you mess with my company?"

Julian put down his coffee cup, leaned back slightly, and looked at me calmly.

"I merely reclaimed the resources I once provided. You know perfectly well whose help Apex Tech owes its success to."

His voice was devoid of emotion, yet every word stung.

Yes, Apex Tech had survived back then because of Thorne Corp.'s investment.

Over the years, many partners had given us preferential treatment out of respect for Julian.

I thought my career was something I had built through my own hard work and struggle, but it had always been under his wing.

He could take it all back at any time.

"What do you want?" I asked, gritting my teeth.

"Withdraw the lawsuit," Julian said, his long fingers lightly tapping the desk. "Then move back home. As long as you're obedient, Apex Tech will be back to normal tomorrow."

He looked at me as if I were a pet throwing a tantrum.

Cut off my food supply, and I'd surely return to my cage.

I glared at him, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, using the pain to maintain the last shred of my sanity.

"What if I don't?"

Julian let out a faint laugh, but his eyes were chillingly cold.

"Then Apex Tech won't survive this week. Your partners, those seniors who started the company with you, will be saddled with massive debts and never recover. Audrey Hayes, can you bear to drag them down with you?"

He knew me too well.

He knew I was loyal, knew I couldn't sacrifice others' hard work for my own marital problems.

He had me completely trapped.

My chest felt like it was stuffed with waterlogged cotton, making it hard to breathe.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and when I opened them again, only the dead calm of compromise remained.

"Fine, I'll withdraw the lawsuit," I heard my voice, hoarse and unfamiliar. "I'll move back today."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Julian's eyes.

"That's better, isn't it?" He stood up, walked over to me, and reached out to touch my hair.

I turned my head, avoiding his touch.

His hand froze in mid-air, his face slightly darkened.

"Don't touch me," I said coldly. "Julian, you won. But I'm telling you, you've only kept a shell."