The door slammed shut, and I turned to face Calvin with ice in my eyes.
“Explain yourself, Calvin.”
He rushed forward, his tone desperate. “Violet, there’s nothing between us, I swear! The girl’s family is extremely poor, but she’s incredibly hardworking and determined. I was moved by her perseverance, that’s the only reason I sponsored her.”
I let out a cold laugh.
“It makes sense to sponsor her when she was in high school and couldn’t earn money. That’s not the issue. But she’s a college student now, perfectly capable of working. Starting next month, you’ll only cover her tuition–not a penny more for living expenses.”
“I’ll contact the school to arrange a part–time position for her in the library that won’t interfere with her studies.”
Then I looked him straight in the eyes, laying down my final terms.
“You will cut off ALL contact with her, including this so–called sponsorship. From now on, money will be transferred directly to the school from my personal account.”
“And,” I stared at him pointedly, “everything you’ve given her–whether it’s the dress, the necklace, or any other luxury items–must be returned without exception.”
“She’s a scholarship student, not some princess waiting to be pampered!”
Calvin’s face fluctuated between ashen and flushed before he finally nodded in defeat and left the room.
Years ago, the Blackwell family had carefully groomed Calvin as their perfect heir and presented him to me, hoping to break into our
elite social circle.
He was gentle, attentive, and undeniably handsome. Though I wasn’t particularly interested in romance, I thought such a power alliance made sense, so I agreed to the arranged marriage.
After we married, we actually connected well and enjoyed several years of enviable bliss. Though our feelings had grown less intense in recent years, we maintained a respectful relationship.
I understood that marriages eventually settle into routine, but I would never tolerate betrayal.
The next day, Calvin returned with everything as promised. The dress and necklace were carefully placed in velvet boxes before me.
“Violet, I’ve made everything clear to her. There won’t be any contact between us going forward,” he vowed with raised hand.
Seeing his compliant attitude, my anger subsided somewhat, and I didn’t press the issue further.
Shortly after Calvin left, a friend request notification popped up on my phone-
It was from Naomi Winters.
I wondered how she’d gotten my contact information as the request appeared a second time.
Assuming she wanted to discuss the sponsorship issue, I accepted, intending to keep our conversation strictly business.
But before I could type a single word, her messages flooded my screen:
03:44
Bankrupt My Cheating CEO? Done! And Demoted Him to lanitert
Chapter 2
[Ms. Reid, for someone who’s just a parasite living off her husband’s money, don’t you think you’re overstepping? What right do you have to take back the gifts Mr. Blackwell gave me?]
[Those things were bought with HIS money. They’re HIS property to give to whoever he wants.]
[Some big–shot CEO’s wife you are–bullying a student just to prove what? How powerful you are?]
I stared at these provocative words, a cold smile forming on my lips.
Not an innocent lamb after all, but a venomous snake ready to strike.
I typed my reply with deliberate calm:
[Calvin and I are legally married with shared assets. My spending his money is perfectly legitimate.]
[But every penny he spends on you comes from our marital property.]
[If I choose, I could sue you for malicious appropriation and force you to return everything with interest!]
[Ms. Winters, is this how a scholarship student speaks to her benefactor?]
[Clawing your way from some backwater town to a university education? That’s no small feat. So stay in your lane and don’t destroy your own path with your bare hands.]
[I’ll overlook this because of your youth and inexperience, but next time, I’ll withdraw everything–your tuition, your part–time job, everything.]
The chat went silent. She didn’t send another word.
I wasn’t particularly concerned. After all, I’d seen too many girls like her–trying to climb the social ladder by latching onto powerful men. Most ended badly.
Just then, my phone rang sharply-
It was my father.
03:44
