4
In the live stream, the comments had completely gone wild.
“Holy sh*t! Year’s biggest drama! Cheating fiancé + pregnant stepsister taking over + public breakup + live-streamed showdown!”
“Summary: Scumbag commits marriage fraud, green tea stepsister gets pregnant to usurp, original partner awakens and tears apart the two-timing bastards live! So damn satisfying!”
08:32 Mon, 1 Sept
77%
“Wasn’t Julian Sterling the city’s elite heartthrob? His perfect image? Utterly shattered!”
Julian clearly hadn’t expected me to be so direct, but he reacted quickly, immediately and carefully supporting Chloe’s waist, his face a picture of deep affection and self-reproach.
“Chloe, didn’t we agree to keep it quiet for the first trimester? You’re too naive.”
He turned to his parents, his expression more determined than ever.
“Dad, Mom, Chloe is pregnant with my child. I must take responsibility for her and the
baby! I can’t let a Sterling heir be cast aside!”
Mrs. Sterling’s chest heaved violently with anger. She pointed at him and snapped, “You fool! Our Sterling family will never acknowledge this child of dubious origin! Your wife can only be Cassie Hayes! Without her to stabilize the company’s public image, do you think your investment projects would have gone so smoothly?”
“Now, for an utterly unsuitable woman, you’ve destroyed our alliance with the Hayes family! Are you trying to ruin the company too?!”
Julian’s face darkened.
“Business alliances are outdated! I believe in my own abilities!”
He suddenly changed tack, looking at me with a condescending, pitying gaze.
“Cassie Hayes, I know this has been unfair to you. But what’s done is done.”
“How about this, even though our engagement is off, our cooperation can continue. Your ability to live stream and sell products is impressive. In the future, my company’s products can be prioritized for you to promote. As long as you stay in your lane, I guarantee you’ll be comfortable for the rest of your life.”
Hearing this, Chloe’s face went white. She nervously tugged at his sleeve.
“Julian…”
Julian patted her hand, then looked at me with cold eyes.
08:32 Mon, 1 Sept
<
ཊཱི 77%
“What? Don’t you love money most? Now I’m practically giving it to you, and you’re not
happy?”
His utterly shameless, matter-of-fact expression made me laugh in anger.
“You want me to work for you? Julian Sterling, you’re not good enough.”
I looked at the camera, a brilliant smile on my face.
“Alright, my dear followers, that’s it for today’s appetizer.”
“For those who want more drama, for those who want to see how these two-timing
bastards get their comeuppance, remember to hit follow. My new show, ‘Truth Live,’ is launching soon.”
I placed the empty USB drive on the table and gently pushed it toward him.
“Mr. Sterling, you might want to have someone check this ‘parting gift. There might be a
surprise inside.”
With that, I picked up my handbag and, heels clicking, walked out amidst the complex gazes of the entire room.
Behind me, I heard my parents’ furious roars.
“Cassie Hayes! If you walk out that door today, we disown you!”
“You won’t break up Julian and my relationship! He won’t believe your lies!”
I didn’t look back.
Just as I exited the hotel, a discreet black Bentley pulled up in front of me,
The car window lowered, revealing a handsome face with a hint of sharpness,
“Miss Cassie Hayes?”
The man spoke, his voice crisp and clear, like mountain spring water.
08:32 Mon, 1 Sept⚫
<
“That live stream just now? Very impressive.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“And you are?”
“Liam Vance.” He handed me a business card. “A poor soul who got banned from every platform, now planning to launch a new one. I watched your live stream, and I think you’re
exactly who I’ve been looking for.”
The business card design was minimalist: just a name, a phone number, and the logo for
an emerging live-streaming platform – “TRUTH.”
I looked at him, and he looked back at me.
His eyes held no pity, no disdain, only pure admiration, like a master craftsman finding the perfect uncut jade.
I was about to speak when my phone suddenly vibrated wildly.
It was Julian Sterling’s assistant, a senior executive at his company, his voice filled with
unprecedented panic.
“Mr. Sterling! It’s bad! Our largest overseas investor just watched Cassie Hayes’s live
stream. They’re accusing us of serious corporate image issues and have unilaterally
terminated all further investment in the ‘Starlight Ocean’ project!”
The “Starlight Ocean” project was Julian’s make-or-break venture, one he’d gambled his
entire fortune on, the crucial piece to establish his business empire.
Through the phone, I seemed to hear the sound of something shattering.
Immediately followed by Julian’s voice, his rage barely suppressed, almost unrecognizable:
“Cassie Hayes! Get back here! Issue a retraction immediately! Name your price!”
I curved my lips.
περι
<
Hung up, blocked the number, all in one fluid motion.
Then, I opened the car door and sat beside Liam Vance.
“Mr. Vance, a pleasure to work with you.”
So-called curses sometimes don’t need ghosts or gods.
Cutting off your money supply is the most vicious curse for a capitalist.
