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She became a pariah,despised by all.
At first,she fought back online,claiming the unloved one was actually the mistress.
But one person couldn't possibly argue with countless netizens.
She soon disabled comments.
On the day of Ethan's trial,I attended.
With ironclad evidence,he was sentenced to over a decade in prison.
His mother,unable to cope,had a heart attack in court and was rushed to the hospital.
Once stabilized,she was ready to save Caldwell no matter what.
But Lila had siphoned nearly all their funds.
With her reputation in ruins,she faced constant scorn.
Unable to bear it,she fled abroad with all the money.
The Caldwells reported her,but she was long gone.
Learning this,Ethan's mother,enraged,had one more heart attack, this time it was fatal.
I attended her funeral.
Seeing the once-arrogant woman reduced to a small photo felt...satisfying.
Thrilling,even.
I pinched my palm to stay composed,resisting the urge to smile in front of everyone.
Ethan,due to good behavior,was allowed to leave the prison temporarily to attend the funeral.
Our eyes met.
His was now bald,his arrogance gone.
I on the other hand was wearing a designer dress,with flawless makeup on my face,my accessories worth a year of his prison expenses.
His eyes held awe,guilt,and more,but I had no interest in deciphering them.
I submitted my resignation.
Nathan Brooks,reluctant,cried in his office,holding my hand in his.
"Claire,I can't lose you.The company can't.Don't go."
"You unhappy with anything?We can fix it."
I pulled my hand back,consoling,"I'm just starting my own business.No need for this."
He looked at me,all teary,voice aggrieved.
"Will you still want me when you succeed?"
I sighed,patting him.
"Don't worry,I'll come back."
He let me go,reluctantly.
I kept my word,returning—as a partner.
Through relentless effort,my company grew to rival Nathan's,and I myself became one of his major clients.
A dream for anyone,and I'd achieved it.
Years later,I never expected to hear about Ethan again.
After his release,he tracked Lila down.
After months outside her house,he caught her returning from abroad.
He showed no mercy—28 stabs,each one was lethal.
He severed her head,then dug out her heart.
When neighbors called the police,he resisted with a homemade bow,only to be shot dead on the spot.
