Book 3: Chapter 9
I opened a social media account and started live–streaming my divorce.
If Alexander had no shame, why should I give him any?
“Hey everyone, I’m the woman from that crazy story about the rich guy pretending
to be poor.”
““And now, I’m trying to divorce him.”
“But the guy thinks I’m just playing hard to get. He’s telling me to get down on my
knees and apologize, and maybe, just maybe, he’ll consider not divorcing me…”
The internet loves a bizarre story, and I was still riding the peak of the drama.
As soon as I went live, tens of thousands of viewers poured in to watch.
The chat exploded with comments, flooding the screen.
I told everyone about filing for divorce.
17:31
Book 3: Chapter 9
Some people cheered me on, while others tried to give me advice.
“Well, he’s a billionaire’s only child. If you stick around, you’ll definitely get a piece of
that fortune in the future. Maybe you should reconsider?”
“Thanks for the suggestion, but I’ve thought it through.”
“I’m planning to start my own business. I think it’s better to cut ties with someone
who’s not right for you sooner rather than later.”
“Life will be better once you leave the trash behind.”
Finally, a month later, Alexander couldn’t take the pressure anymore
He signed the divorce papers and agreed to go through with it.
“I’ll leave the $50,000 in the account for you–take it as compensation.
I scoffed. “Compensation? You’re just afraid of people dragging your name through
the mud, right?”
“We’ll split the money evenly. I don’t owe you, and you don’t owe me.”
“From now on, you go your way, and I’ll go mine.”
17:31
Book 3: Chapter 9
By this point, Alexander was a complete laughingstock.
The once–proud heir to the Carter fortune had become a public joke.
The same women who once fawned over him now couldn’t get away fast enough,
terrified of the scandal sticking to them.
Besides, even though he was married, the Carter family had been arranging blind
dates for him.
Everyone figured it out and distanced themselves from the Carters.
Because of everything I stirred up, their family’s brand took a massive hit.
Carter Enterprises‘ stock plummeted
Alexander just wanted to calm things down.
“Emma, aside from hiding the fact that I was a billionaire, I didn’t really do anything
to hurt you, right?”
“Can’t we just put this behind us and move on?”
“I’ll even share everything with you from now on–money and all!” he
17:31
Book 3: Chapter 9
said, his eyes
turning red.
I looked at him with pure disgust.
“You think it was fun for me to be your stand–in for your ex?”
“Doesn’t it make you sick? Because I feel like throwing up every time I see you!”
Alexander’s jaw dropped in shock. “How… how did you know?”
He started piecing it together, trying to figure out when things started going wrong.
Finally, he remembered that night.
“Wait, did you overhear that phone call? That’s why…”
His face darkened. “Emma Shaw, so this was your plan all along?”
“You set me up to ruin my reputation?!”
I crossed my arms, meeting his gaze evenly. “Right back at you.”
“You made me suffer for three years.
“And let’s not forget that the $10,000 you supposedly ‘lent‘ me for my
mom’s
17.31
Book 3: Chapter 9
treatment? Yeah, that wasn’t even your money. I don’t stoop as low as you do.”
After we got married, my quality of life dropped significantly.
To make sure I stayed home and took care of him, he had me transferred to a quiet,
dead–end position at work, cutting my income.
Whenever I talked about changing jobs, he’d tell me how hard the job market was
and stop me from leaving.
When I wanted to start my own business, he’d tear me down with PUA tactics, saying
I wasn’t capable.
(
The $10,000 he supposedly gave me to help my mom? That was actually my own
year–end project bonus from the company!
I only found out because a friend at work told me before I quit out of pity.
The company I worked for had a partnership with Carter Enterprises.
To control me better and make me “grateful,” Alexander kept that
17:31
Book 3: Chapter 9
money hidden.
And he succeeded.
For years, I tolerated his bad temper and terrible habits.
If I hadn’t accidentally uncovered the truth…
I would’ve been completely under his control by now.
“Alexander…”
As soon as we finalized the divorce, a delicate–looking woman walked up and clung
to his arm.
17.31