Everyone at the party was stunned. As they watched the video playing on the large screen, disbelief spread across their faces. None of them could believe that a woman could commit such an atrocity.Even Ava herself was shocked to the core. She slowly turned to Liam, who was standing beside her, and glanced at him. At that moment, her eyes asked only one question.How was this video released? Who released it?Of course, Ava had to wonder. The last time she checked, she had never recorded herself having sex. If she didn’t make the video, then who did?“Oops! Isn’t that Miss Lugards? How is she the one in that video?”“That woman is really shameless! How could she do such a thing when she’s already married?”The guests had already begun forming their own opinions. Murmurs spread across the hall as everyone whispered among themselves, most of them speaking negatively about Ava.Unable to bear their stares, Ava lowered her head in shame, hiding her face from the crowd.Just then, Ethan sc

Hearing what Michaela had just said, Ava’s heart seemed to stop.She turned to her mother in shock, her expression hollow, as though something deep within her had been forcefully stripped away.What did this mean?That the contract was truly over?Ava shook her head, refusing to accept it.She had worked too hard to secure that contract. She had sacrificed so much—far more than anyone knew—just to make sure she landed the deal with Murfers Empire.The memory hit her vividly.When she had asked Liam for help in getting the contract, he had made his condition clear—he wanted her body.She had given in.After all, they were in a relationship… or so she had believed.And now, after everything, the contract was being terminated?Panic surged through her.“No… no!” Ava cried, rushing toward Michaela. “Miss Murfers, you can’t do this to me. You don’t have to believe whatever Ethan told you. He’s lying—he has always been a liar! Everything he said is false!”Michaela stepped back, putting dis

“Good job, Ethan. You did an amazing job today. I never expected you to play that video in front of everyone at the party.”Inside her car, Michaela lifted a hand to her hair, brushing it back slowly as satisfaction settled deep in her chest. After Liam, Ava, and Katherine had walked out in humiliation, she felt fulfilled. This was exactly what she had promised Ethan—and she was glad she had made part of it a reality.Even after the party ended, Ethan had thanked her sincerely. He knew she had done a lot for him. Then, for reasons best known to her, Michaela had offered him a ride home.Ethan hadn’t been in a position to refuse, even though several unanswered questions still lingered in his mind.Now seated in the car, with the engine humming softly, Michaela turned slightly toward him, her lips curving into a faint smile.“You really outdid yourself tonight, I didn’t expect that from you.”Ethan cleared his throat, momentarily distracted by her beauty before forcing himself to focus

Immediately after hearing that Joshua was back in the country, Ethan’s lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile. So, someone from the Wong household had finally returned?Joshua Wong… the son of his uncle, Darlington. The very son of the man who had killed his mother.Wasn’t this supposed to be good news?Ethan turned to Mr. LeVert. “This news calls for a celebration.”Hearing Ethan’s response, Mr. LeVert was visibly taken aback. He had expected shock—perhaps even concern. At the very least, some hint of caution. But instead, Ethan sounded almost… pleased.Trying to confirm what he had just heard, LeVert spoke again.“My Lord… are you not threatened by your cousin’s return? He didn’t come back for no reason. He heard that his grandfather has already transferred the company to someone else. He’s here to take it back—from you.”Ethan’s smile didn’t fade. If anything, it sharpened.“And you think I should be afraid? That his return will somehow ruin things for me?” he asked. “That is t

Seriously, if Michaela had known the answer to that question, she would have told Ethan immediately. She wouldn’t have wasted a second before mentioning the person’s name—perhaps even adding why they had come.But she didn’t know. She had no idea who her father could possibly be referring to, and she wished desperately that she did. Her mind tried to suggest someone, but she instantly brushed it aside.“No way! It’s definitely not him!”Rejecting the thought completely, Michaela turned to Ethan.“I don’t know either. I have no idea why this person came to our house. But I believe when we get there, we’ll find out the truth.”That was what she told him, and Ethan believed her.What had happened that night felt like a glimpse into what lay ahead for him. Yet, he hadn’t found it shocking to hear that Liam was behind it—sending those men to harm him. Of course… who else could have done such a thing, if not him?He let the night pass without dwelling on it, and before long, a new day a