Chapter 3

3.

The legal department at Rhodes Corp began tackling the online rumors, shifting the narrative toward Sutton's infidelity.

The insults online finally started to die down, giving me a moment of peace.

But the next morning, Young Industries held a press conference.

In the video, Sutton held Soren's hand and made a solemn vow.

"Today, I'm announcing that Young Industries will be renamed YG Group. It's a promise I'm making to my fiancé."

"The people attacking me online were hired by Foster Rhodes. For years, I've endured his temper and his psychological control. I even had to ask permission just to have dinner with someone！"

"Only Soren has stayed by my side, supporting me. I, Sutton Young, am declaring today that I will fight Rhodes Corp until the very end！"

Immediately after, my phone exploded with messages.

【Mr. Rhodes, many of our clients and resources have been poached by YG Group！ Multiple projects are stalled！】

【Not only that, but Sutton convinced several of our shareholders to pull out and join YG！】

Those were the resources I had set up before the engagement to ensure a smooth merger.

Once we were married, the companies would have shared everything.

But she didn't even notify me. She just stole the resources I had prepared for our union！

Shaking with rage, I went straight to find her.

"Sutton, we are done. By what right are you stealing resources meant for the merger？"

"Do you realize this is commercial fraud？"

Sutton, having just finished signing the contracts for her new company, gave me a dismissive look.

"Those resources were partially mine. Why wouldn't I take them？"

"Instead of complaining, you should ask yourself why the shareholders and clients chose me over a man with a ruined reputation."

I slammed my fist onto the desk. "My reputation？！ You know better than anyone who started those rumors！"

She ignored my anger and pushed me aside.

She tucked her arm into Soren's, her voice cold.

"Are you done？ I'm going to see the new office site with my fiancé. Don't waste my time."

The way she looked at me was the way one looks at a pathetic stranger.

Soren smirked, sounding condescending.

"Why don't you come with us, Foster？ The new company is basically thanks to your help, after all."

"I have to say, you're very generous. Not just your fiancée, but all these resources... you just gave them right to us."

Fury surged from my feet to my head. I couldn't take it anymore and swung a punch.

"Soren！ I'm warning you one last time！ You have no right to talk to me like that！"

Before my fist landed, he stumbled back dramatically.

He hit a table with a loud crash and immediately started sobbing.

"I just wanted to thank you, Foster... why do you hate me so much？"

"Is it because my dad is your driver？ Am I doomed to be beneath you for the rest of my life...？"

Those words hit Sutton right in the heart.

She grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the sharp corner of a desk, slamming me into it repeatedly.

A dull, agonizing pain flared up. I felt like my spine was about to snap.

She let go of me and helped Soren up.

"Foster Rhodes！ Who gave you the right to look down on him？！ Since you think so little of him, I'm going to make you crawl before him！"

"Kneel and apologize to Soren right now！"

I clutched my aching lower back and stared her down.

"And if I don't？"

She let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Fine. You asked for this！ Did you think I forgot the dirt I have on you？"

"Call the legal team. We're having a meeting now. I have a major announcement to make！"

My heart skipped a beat as I chased after her.

Guards blocked me from the conference room. Inside, Sutton started a live-streamed press conference.

"The major news I have for everyone is this―Foster Rhodes' mother was nothing more than a homewrecker！"

"He is the son of a mistress. He has no right to be the CEO of Rhodes Corp！"

I stood there, frozen, my whole body trembling.

I had only ever told her that secret.

But I had made it very clear to her―my mother was not a mistress.

My father's ex-wife had refused to sign the divorce papers for five years just for the money.

Back then, Sutton comforted me, saying it wasn't my fault. Now, those sweet words were a blade she was stabbing into me.

Soren added fuel to the fire in front of the camera.

"Like mother, like son. A man like this probably runs his company with the same lack of morals."

"If it were me, I'd pack my bags and go back to the sticks. I wouldn't have the face to be a CEO."

Sutton looked at me through the glass, speaking into the microphone.

"From now on, YG Group will offer triple the price to monopolize every client working with Rhodes Corp."

"Anyone who works with Foster Rhodes is an enemy of mine！"

Strangely, I felt a calm wash over me. I laughed.

I took out my phone and called my assistant.

"She wants to monopolize my partners？ Let's see how much cash she actually has."

"Pull the investment from Young Industries. Now."

Five minutes later, as Sutton was crying to the cameras about their 'difficult' romance...

Her phone rang. Her face went pale instantly.

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