The CEO’s Final Reckoning

I’m a female CEO. I earn enough to support the whole family. My wonderful husband cheats on me and gets another woman pregnant. My mother-in-law calls me a slut who spends all day fooling around outside, leaving her son home alone. My sister-in-law kidnaps my child and tries to extort money from me. They eat my food, wear my clothes, and still act like ungrateful wolves! If a dog can’t be trained, then get out of my life! Inside the largest hotel in the city, I raised glasses with a group of business tycoons. This project was extremely important. It would determine whether my new company could expand into the international market. I picked up my wineglass and was about to toast Mr. Wan across from me when a violent pain suddenly tore through my lower abdomen. I clutched my stomach, trying to endure it. A moment later, my throat filled with the metallic taste of blood, and I threw up right there at the table. The dinner had to end. At the hospital, the doctor told me I had a stomach hemorrhage. Years of drinking had caused it. He warned me to stop drinking. How was that possible? The company was at a critical stage. These were extraordinary circumstances. I couldn’t afford to collapse. Besides, only by taking the company to the next level could I raise enough money to fulfill Adrian’s dream of holding a worldwide art tour. Holding art exhibitions had been Adrian’s dream since childhood. I was determined to make it happen. Soon, my secretary, Fiona, called and told me there was an urgent matter at the office that required my attention. I tossed the medical report into the trash and was about to call Adrian to tell him not to wait for me for dinner. That was when I saw him. Adrian was walking with a young woman clinging intimately to his arm. Her stomach was slightly rounded. They chatted and laughed together. Every gesture showed how much Adrian cherished her. I froze. After hesitating for a second, I followed them. Their conversation was painfully clear. “Adrian, who do you think our baby will look like after it’s born?” Adrian stared at her without answering, as if he were thinking carefully. The girl continued on her own. “I hope the baby looks like you. Tall and handsome.” “Then I’ll have two people to spoil me.” Her face was filled with happiness. Adrian answered dotingly, “All right, sweetheart. Whatever you say goes.” They looked exactly like newlyweds. I couldn’t listen anymore. I stood there, completely frozen. I couldn’t believe Adrian had betrayed me. I used to think every man in the world would cheat, except Adrian. But when I saw him with another woman, I wasn’t so sure anymore. Now I knew for certain. Adrian had cheated on me. But after all the years we had spent together, I decided to give him one chance to explain. So, I didn’t return to the office. Instead, I had my driver take me home. The moment I stepped inside, before I had even sat down, Adrian’s mother, Valerie Cole, started in on me. “You finally remember that you have a home! You might as well move into your office.” “I’ve told you before. Women shouldn’t be out showing themselves off all day, drinking with a bunch of men.” “Do you know what people say about Adrian behind his back? You’ve completely humiliated him!” I ignored her because I knew I couldn’t win an argument with her. If I said one thing, Valerie would have ten waiting in response. More importantly, I respected her as my elder and as Adrian’s mother.My silence only encouraged her. “And another thing, Claire. Don’t contact Mr. Wan anymore. I already called him and rejected the deal for you.” “What?” This time, I couldn’t stay seated. Valerie could insult me all she wanted, but this deal concerned the future of my company. I had built everything from nothing. I had suffered more than anyone knew to get the company where it was. I wouldn’t let anyone stand in my way. “Tell me, did you sleep with him? Otherwise, why would he agree to work with you?” “Oh, my poor son. He’s so kind. He wakes up early every day to make breakfast for a slut like you.” “And your body was probably given away to someone else long ago!” I finally snapped. “Mrs. Cole, this is my company. You don’t get to interfere.” “And you keep calling me immoral. Where’s your proof? Show me some evidence!” “Do you really need proof? You spend an entire morning alone with another man.” “We were discussing a contract, Mom. Not everyone is as filthy-minded as you.” I glared at her. Dressed all in black and standing in ten-centimeter heels, I looked even more intimidating. “Mom, I hadn’t planned on telling you this. But do you know what your precious son has been doing behind your back?” “What has he been doing?” Valerie shot back. But she didn’t dare meet my eyes, and her voice dropped several notches. “Your precious son has been cheating. His mistress is already several months pregnant.” Instead of being shocked, Valerie became even more aggressive. “It’s your fault for never coming home! My son has needs, so of course he had to find another woman. What’s so strange about that?” No wonder Adrian had turned out this way. He and his mother were exactly alike. His cheating had everything to do with her. Seeing that Valerie had no shame, I realized there was nothing left to say to her. All she cared about was herself and her son. She had never once seen how much I had sacrificed for this family. I turned around and prepared to leave. This home was completely impossible to endure. But Valerie grabbed me and refused to let go. I instinctively pulled away. She lost her balance and crashed into the table. At that exact moment, Adrian came home and saw everything. He rushed over and shoved me aside. Then he helped Valerie onto the couch and immediately turned on me. “Claire, even if Mom did something wrong, you can’t push her!” “She’s older than you. She’s your elder.” “How could you treat her like that?” “I—” Before I could speak, Adrian interrupted me. “And don’t bring your business attitude home. We’re not your employees.” He attacked me without asking a single question. Just like his mother, he only believed what he wanted to believe. I stopped holding back. I walked over and slapped him across the face. “Adrian, don’t push me.” “Everything you eat, everything you wear, everything your mother eats and wears, everything you have now…” “I gave it all to you.” “And I haven’t even asked you about that girl yet! What’s going on between you two?” Adrian’s expression shifted again and again. “What girl?” “Stop pretending. I saw you taking that woman to the obstetrics clinic.”Adrian knew the truth was out. He abandoned Valerie on the couch and scrambled toward me. “Claire, it’s not what you think. That night, I accidentally got drunk.” “And then… when I woke up…” “Smack!” I slapped him again. “Adrian, are you scared now? Ha!” “This isn’t over!” I dropped those words and walked out. Inside the enormous house, only Adrian and Valerie remained. “Why are you so scared?” Valerie demanded. “Mom, how can you be so clueless?” “We can’t make Claire angry! My art exhibition hasn’t even opened yet! And remember that limited-edition handbag you wanted? What are we supposed to do without her?” “You’re right, son. We can’t offend her!” “Quick, quick! Go bring her back.” “She loves you more than anything. Go after her!” “Mom, it isn’t that simple.” Adrian frowned deeply, trying to figure out how to make me forgive him. “How is it not simple? Just do what you did back then…” “Then go pick Lily up from Tessa’s place. With Lily there, Claire will definitely come back.” Adrian’s eyes lit up. “You’re right, Mom. I’ll go get Lily.” “Forget it. I’m coming with you. I don’t trust you to handle this yourself.” The moment I left the house, tears began falling. I couldn’t hold them back anymore. I crouched on the ground, covered my face, and burst into tears. I cried over my own grievances. I cried over everything I had done for this family over the years. Only in the middle of a crowded street could I let myself fall apart. Everyone was busy with their own lives. No one cared what I was doing. Besides, everyone had their own problems. No one would think my breakdown was strange. I walked for a long time. When I looked up again, I found myself outside my parents’ neighborhood. Since I was already there, I decided to visit them. As I walked to their door, I thought about so many things. I imagined my parents preparing a table full of food, then greeting me excitedly when I walked through the door. They would fill my plate and ask whether I had been working too hard, whether I had been eating properly. I wondered if Adrian would come looking for me, apologize, and explain what had happened with that woman. Deep down, I still loved him. The feelings we had shared through all those years of marriage had been real. So had the love we’d had when we were young, and the passionate years that followed. And Lily was still so young. A divorce now might affect her development. When it came down to it, I still had feelings for Adrian. A loud crash interrupted my thoughts. Something had broken. Then I heard voices. “That useless girl Claire still hasn’t sent the money.” “Go call her. Tell her to transfer more. I didn’t even have enough money to play cards with Steve and the others yesterday.” “Got it. Go eat. I’ll call her in a minute.” It was a woman’s voice. “Old man, what do you think of the guy I told you about last time? He’d be perfect for Claire!” “He’s over fifty and already has a teenage son,” the man mumbled between bites. “So what? The important thing is that he’s rich.” “And if Claire gets divorced, she’ll only be a little younger than him. What else matters?” “Besides, a divorced woman with a child is already worth less.” The man’s eyes lit up at the mention of money. “Exactly. You’re right. We’ll call Claire over and let them meet.” “But will Claire agree?” “We’ll trick her into coming first. Then…” “We’ll make sure she can’t refuse.” I stood outside the door, my hand hovering in the air. Was this really my mother?