Lewis's net worth was easily in the billions . By walking away with nothing , I was undoubtedly giving up a fortune . Even Victoria and Lewis looked visibly shaken . And around the conference table , several board members suddenly perked up as well . I wasn't sure who left the room first , but one by one , the others followed suit and quietly exited . These people were closely tied to Lewis and Victoria . They weren't going to take sides with an outsider like me . In fact , they were probably thrilled that I was willingly to give up my right to the assets . Without me around to claim part of Lewis's wealth , his position in the company would be that much more secure . And Victoria could finally focus all her energy on Lewis - and on the business . One of them paused near the door and said , " I'll step out and leave you two to talk . " But Lewis reached for Victoria's hand and said , " No need . Stay . We've got nothing to hide . " Nothing to hide ? It was disgusting . I had prepared myself for this moment . But watching the two of them hold hands so openly - so shamelessly - still cut into me like a knife . I took a deep breath , doing everything I could to keep my emotions from spilling over . Then I pushed the signed divorce agreement across the table . Lewis didn't even bother to look at it . He handed it straight to Victoria . " Take a look . Is it good to go ? " Chapter 5 15.63 % She accepted the document with barely concealed satisfaction . Her lips curled into a subtle , triumphant smile . After a few minutes of reading , she nodded and said to Lewis , " It's a clean break . She's giving up everything . This version is good . " She handed him a pen , but Lewis didn't take it . Instead , he looked at me . " Are you really sure you want a divorce ? " I met his eyes . " What do you think ? I'm not a garbage dump - I don't take in trash . " " You should think it over , " he said . " Remarried women rarely get high - quality partners . Victoria ... she was never out to push you aside . " I almost laughed . Was he serious ? It was absurd . I turned to Victoria , whose expression had stiffened . " Someone who ' never meant to push me aside ' couldn't even give me a damn internship certificate . " Victoria forced a smile , clearly trying to come up with a response . But I didn't give her the chance . " I get it . I know what you're both thinking . Just make me the villain , fine . Call me the third wheel in your relationship - I don't care . All I want is what I earned . That certificate represents three months of hard work . That's it . " As for the two of them ? I hoped they disappeared from my life forever . Victoria's eyes shimmered , as if she were about to cry , but Lewis finally picked up the pen and signed . We made an agreement to officially file the divorce after a three - month cooling - off period . Two copies of the divorce papers were signed . He also handed me the internship certificate I'd fought so hard for , stamped with the company Chapter 5 15.63 % seal himself . With that , I turned to leave . But Lewis called out after me , " Emily , you were acting on impulse today . I'll transfer twenty million to you . Think of it as compensation . " I replied calmly , " Thanks . But let's call it a wedding gift for you two . Don't say I'm stingy . " Victoria , seeing that the divorce was really happening , grew bolder with her words . " Emily , twenty million is enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life . Don't be so petty . " I smiled and said , " If all I wanted was a comfortable life , I wouldn't be getting divorced... but based on what you just said , maybe I shouldn't go through with it after all ? " Victoria froze , clearly panicked by the possibility . She shut her mouth immediately Lewis took a deep breath , his voice heavy , " Emily , you're too young ... I've spoiled you for too long . " I looked at him without a trace of emotion . " Exactly . I'm young , so I can afford to take risks . " A divorce ? It wasn't the end of the world . After all of this - I was still only 21 . The journey ahead was long . And from here on out , I'd walk it any way I pleased . Chapter 6 When I returned home , Andrew was too busy to spend time with me , so my sister - in - law , Sophia , took me traveling instead . We wandered around , shopping and sightseeing , and slowly my heart began to settle . If Lewis hadn't shown up at my family's house , I might have almost forgotten him altogether . From the upstairs window , I saw him standing at the door with gifts in his hands . A dull ache still flickered in my chest . Sophia noticed and explained gently , " Since your brother cut off Lewis's suppliers , that woman Victoria has been coming around , trying to negotiate discounts and profits . But she knows her place . She never comes to the house , only tries to stop him at the office , and your brother rarely agrees to see her . Now it looks like Lewis's company is in trouble , so he's here himself . Do you want me to let him in ? " She must have seen something in my expression , which was why she asked . I shook my head . " No. My brother isn't rash . If Lewis could offer him something greater than anyone else , then maybe he would consider it . Otherwise , why would he bother ? " Sophia nodded and added softly , " Your brother only worries you haven't let go yet . " " There's nothing to let go of . Since the divorce papers were signed , Lewis hasn't called me once . That says everything . If I'm not in his heart , why should I keep him in mine ? Don't worry , Sophia . I'm fine . Whatever Andrew decides to do , it's his choice . " She smiled faintly and sent Lewis away . But the next day , Lewis came again . This time , he brought different gifts . He was thoughtful , attentive to details , the kind of gestures that made him appear warm and dependable . For a whole week , he came every single day . When he couldn't see my brother , he waited at the door . Sometimes he stayed there from morning until night . Chapter 6 16.67 % Honestly ... if he had been there to ask me for another chance , I might not have had the heart to turn him away . But he was only there for business . In the end , Sophia called Andrew and asked him to deal with it , not wanting me to keep running into Lewis and feeling miserable . Andrew handled it well . He didn't expose our family connection , but instead sent someone to Lewis's company with a clear message : his company was no longer the best option , and here were the reasons why . Lewis accepted it without protest . After that , he stopped showing up at our door . But fate had its way of throwing people together . At Andrew's company's product launch , countless business elites were invited . I had nothing better to do , so I tagged along . Sophia suggested I dress up , but I didn't want the trouble . I wore simple casual clothes , planning to eat and leave . Halfway through my meal , someone shoved me from behind . The soda in my hand spilled all over a well - dressed lady . I quickly apologized . Before she could respond , a familiar voice chimed in . " Mrs. Smith , that dress must be expensive . I suppose it'll cost quite a lot to replace , won't it ? " The voice was all too familiar . I turned and saw Victoria in a striking red dress . It had been a while since I last saw her , and she was even more annoying than before . " I'm so sorry , Mrs. Smith , " I said quickly . " How much was the dress ? I'll pay for it . " Mrs. Smith was blotting at the stain , ' about to reply , when Victoria cut her off with a sneer . " This is a limited -edition haute couture dress . It cost well over a hundred thousand . Do you really think you can afford that ? " Chapter 6 16.67 % Mrs. Smith frowned , then pulled me behind her protectively . " Victoria , I'm not blind . You pushed her , which is why her drink spilled on me . I never said Emily should pay . Why are you butting in ? " Her voice was sharp , and people nearby turned to watch . toria froze , not expecting to trap herself so easily . tood to the side , lips curling into a cold smile . She thought I was just a powerless little girl . But rs . Smith was Sophia's close friend - she had seen me countless times since I was young . Even if it weren't for my brother and sister - in - law , Mrs. Smith would never take Victoria's side . Victoria swallowed and forced a smile . " I was just greeting her , I didn't push ... " Mrs. Smith let out a short , cold laugh . " I know what I felt . Don't worry , I'm not asking you to pay for this dress . I also know you're sticking to a man with no official status , and his company's on the brink of collapse - you must be short on money . " Victoria bit her lip , her eyes glistening red as Mrs. Smith's words cut deep .