Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The moment those words left my mouth, my parents exchanged a stunned glance.

My mother looked especially shocked.

Ever since I got together with Landon, she had tried to talk sense into me countless times.

Every single time, I had shut her down with a few defensive words because she knew how deeply I loved him.

She had already braced herself for the worst, expecting me to cling to him despite the humiliation.

She never imagined I would agree so easily.

She blinked in disbelief. "Sweetheart, are you really okay? Don't scare me. Are you being serious?"

I shrugged with total indifference. "Completely serious. I thought about it, and after seven years, I'm bored."

"Attractive men are a dime a dozen; he isn't anything special."

"Don't worry, Mom, Dad. I feel nothing for him anymore."

My parents stared at my calm expression, their mouths slightly open, completely speechless.

After being discharged, I found out that my public breakdown three days prior had dominated the national headlines.

Landon had even posted a passive-aggressive statement on his social media.

【We have parted on peaceful terms, wishing each other the best. I hope everyone respects my choice and refrains from causing distress to others due to uncontrolled emotions.】

The comments beneath his post were violently divided.

The general public slammed him for being an ungrateful opportunist who burned his bridges.

His dedicated fanbase fiercely defended him, preaching that true love conquered all.

I curled my lips into a faint smile, completely numb to the drama.

I suddenly realized that the System's penalty was actually a gift.

Living without the burden of emotions felt amazingly freeing.

The news that once tore my heart to shreds now seemed like a ridiculous joke.

Word of my release from the hospital spread quickly through the press.

When I arrived at Caldwell Global the next morning, reporters instantly swarmed my car again.

Unlike my previous disheveled appearance, I stepped out in an elegant designer gown, radiating absolute power and composure.

My sharp gaze made the reporters hesitate, until one of them finally gathered the nerve to speak up.

"Ms. Caldwell, could you officially comment on your breakup with Mr. Shaw?"

"Was your recent collapse at the entrance caused by excessive heartbreak?"

I took the microphone from the reporter's hand and smiled calmly at the camera.

"While the comparison might sound unrefined, would any of you collapse in grief over misplacing a pair of old shoes you wore for years?"

"Caldwell Global manages multibillion-dollar operations daily, and to be blunt, I simply don't have time to dwell on trivial nonsense."

"As for Mr. Shaw, as a proper ex, I wish him joy with his new flame."

With that, I turned around and walked inside, leaving the reporters staring at each other in utter shock.

After a long silence, one reporter muttered under his breath.

"Damn, why do I feel like Ms. Caldwell is such an absolute badass?"

Within thirty minutes, the hashtag #BillionaireRoyalty shot to the top of trending topics.

Social media users started commenting on the stark difference between high society and the entertainment industry.

【Wow, Ms. Caldwell is gorgeous, powerful, and filthy rich!】

【What is wrong with Landon's eyes? Mindy looks timid and plain; she can't hold a candle to Ms. Caldwell!】

【Hahaha, calling him an old shoe was savage! The movie star must be seething!】

【He deserves it! Who told him to cheat with a nobody? He threw away a golden ticket just to ruin himself!】