Chapter 5

When I walked out of the basement, the sky was just getting light.

Chloe was standing at the top of the stairs, I don't know when she got there. She held a cup of hot milk, not a hint of sickness on her face.

She looked down at me from above, a malicious smile playing on her lips.

"Olivia, are you going to marry that cripple?"

"Actually, Mom and Dad are doing this for your own good. After all, you know, only those who truly enjoy the finer things can rise above. Anyway, even if we weren't bankrupt now, Dad and Mom's heir could only ever be me."

She took a step closer, leaning in to whisper in my ear.

"So go on, be your crippled bride. I'll enjoy the Blackwood family's wealth and prestige for you."

She finished, covering her mouth with a triumphant giggle.

I looked at her delicate face and nodded.

"Chloe, you're right."

"Some people are born to roll in the mud."

Only, that person might not be me.

I didn't look back, rushing straight into the curtain of rain.

The cold raindrops stung my face, mixing with my tears.

I didn't hate the rain; the colder it was, the fiercer the fire in my heart burned.

An hour later, I stood beneath the Titan Holdings building.

This was Northwood City's tallest building, and the only place that could truly overlook the Blackwood Group.

Ethan Blackwood, Northwood City's notorious business madman, was also my dad's most feared arch-rival.

I barged unimpeded into the top-floor office.

Before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, a man stood with his back to me.

"Get out."

His voice was cold and sharp.

I didn't retreat. Instead, I walked forward step by step and firmly slapped the USB drive, still damp from the rain, onto his expensive office desk.

"Mr. Blackwood, I have a business proposition I'd like to discuss with you."

Ethan Blackwood turned around.

He looked at me, soaking wet, covered in mud, yet with eyes that burned with an alarming intensity, and his eyebrow slightly raised.

"The eldest Miss Blackwood? What, here to plead for your father?"

"No."

I lifted my head, meeting his eagle-sharp eyes, and a crooked smile played on my lips.

"I'm here to take him down."

Ethan Blackwood picked up the USB drive, intrigued. "What's in this?"

"The very core of Blackwood Group's operations."

My voice was hoarse, but every word was clear and strong. "Ledgers proving tax evasion, offshore money laundering schemes, and all the evidence of cut corners on the Bayview Towers project."

"Mr. Blackwood, my dad always said that a person needs to be wolf-like, to show no mercy, even to family."

"These past six months, he taught me a lot. Now, I'm here to show you what I've learned."

Ethan Blackwood scrutinized me for a long moment, then suddenly chuckled.

"If you give this to me, the Blackwood family is finished. You'll lose everything, and even bear the infamy."

"What do you want?"

Thunder rumbled outside the window.

I didn't need money, nor did I need status.

I stared at Ethan Blackwood, saying each word distinctly:

"I want them utterly ruined."