###5
I walked straight out of The Carrington Estate without a backward glance, leaving behind the echoes of Eliza Monroe’s and Julian Hart’s
shouting.
Eliza hadn’t signed the divorce papers yet. She knew that once she did, it would be the end for her. But I had my ways to make sure she would.
I called Douglas and Vivian Monroe and demanded the return of the bride price. Otherwise, they could expect to receive a court summons.
They thought I was still the same easy prey they could manipulate. They didn’t take me seriously and even threatened that without more money, they wouldn’t stop Julian at the next wedding.
Next wedding? The audacity.
I used to believe that parents capable of raising such a sweet girl must be honorable people. But they were nothing more than greedy jackals.
I didn’t argue further. I cut off all their financial access and revoked their positions at Carrington Holdings.
With no source of income, Eliza’s family crumbled almost immediately. They had always been parasites, clinging to me in the name of love.
When I decided to cleanse myself of everything dirty and toxic, they were the first to be purged.
Not long after, they appeared at the entrance of Carrington Holdings, desperate and disheveled, only to be stopped by the security team I’d posted there.
I watched from my office, eyes on the surveillance monitor.
“Good afternoon, this is private property. Non–employees are not allowed past this point,” the guard stated firmly.
Eliza snapped, bristling like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
“Do you know who I am? I’m the wife of your company’s CEO!” she yelled.
just a guard dog How dare you block me? Le me in right now, or I’ll have you fired!”
The guard remained unbothered, gripping his haton, staring at the three of them.
Her parents chimed in, their entitlement showing.
“Hey, where did you even come from? How dare you stop us? We used to work here, and even the CEO respected us. We’re his in–laws!”
“Let us through now, or you’ll regret it!”
They acted as if they were royalty, expecting everyone to bow and scrape before them.
They seemed to forget who truly held power here. They were the parasites, and I was the host.
Watching their grotesque display, I thought back to that little girl in the princess dress–the angel who had once smiled at me.
How could such people have raised someone so pure? But Eliza, too, had changed. Money and power had turned them all into something
monstrous.
They no longer deserved to be called my family.
I was done.
I left my office and walked to the front entrance. Their eyes lit up when they saw me. Vivian and Douglas Monroe straightened up, trying to appear dignified, while Eliza wore an innocent, pleading expression.
In the past, I would have taken her into my arms and asked what was wrong.
Now, I barely acknowledged her.
“What’s all this noise? Why are you here?” I asked coolly.
Eliza stepped forward, speaking in that familiar, syrupy voice.
“Blake, your security guard was so rude. We just came to bring you lunch.”
“Blake, did you eat? I even asked Mom for her special recipe for this chicken soup,” she said, lifting the container with a smile meant to charm.
I knew it was a ploy. I opened the container, only to see chunks of meat with bites taken out of them and a note floating inside: For Julian, with love.
It was meant for Julian, a twisted joke to disgust me.
I slammed the container down, spilling its contents. Eliza and her parents stared in disbelief. They couldn’t fathom that I would do something so final, so defiant.
Eliza’s mask slipped for a moment, but she caught herself, trying again.
“Blake, don’t you love me anymore? Why did you throw it away?”
Her act was nauseating.
I pointed at the container. “Read the note, Eliza, and then ask me that again.”
Her face fell as the memory came back, and she said nothing more.
I took out the divorce papers and threw them on the ground.
“You have two choices: sign these papers and I’ll let you keep the bride price. Or, I’ll take you to court and make sure you pay back every penny you owe me. My legal department doesn’t sit idle.”
“And don’t beg. You didn’t speak up when your daughter ran off with Julian.”
Eliza opened her mouth as if to argue, but her parents forced her down to sign.
I picked up the signed papers, turned on my heel, and told the guard, “If you ever see these three again, escort them out with no hesitation.”
