Chapter 7

Lily's POV

Through the clouds of dust, the security guards tossed me to the roadside like garbage.

My knees and elbows were scraped raw, blood mixed with dirt running down. I watched Sebastian drive away in his luxury car, laughing, watched the bulldozers crush the last traces of my mother.

I didn't cry. I'd run out of tears yesterday.

I dragged my stiff body back to that cramped apartment, step by step. I opened my laptop and began organizing all the commercial endorsements and competition prize money I'd earned for Payton Corporation over the years.

Payton thought I was just an athlete who could only skydive, but he forgot that over these seven years, to help him solidify Payton Corporation's market share in the sports industry, I'd been exposed to many core confidential matters.

If Sebastian dared to take over the facility, he would definitely use Payton Corporation's resources for money laundering and illegal financing.

I dialed an encrypted number. "Help me check Sebastian's recent fund flows, especially any connections with Payton Corporation's overseas accounts."

A low male voice came from the other end. "Lily, you're finally willing to contact me."

That person was Jace Payton. Payton's half-brother, the child of the Payton family who'd always been exiled abroad. He was also the one who, years ago in that rainstorm, had actually paid the first installment of my mother's surgery fees. But later Payton appeared, forcefully took over everything, drove Jace out of the country, and became my "benefactor."

"Jace, help me." My voice was hoarse.

"Alright. Three days." Jace didn't ask a single question and hung up directly.

For those three days, I didn't leave the apartment. Payton didn't look for me either. My phone was filled with news about Sophia and Payton preparing their wedding of the century.

On the third night, Jace sent me an encrypted email. Inside was not only evidence of Sebastian using the facility for money laundering, but also evidence of Sophia's early involvement in illegal gambling. Most damning of all, Sebastian's money laundering channel used Payton's private overseas accounts.

Looking at the evidence on the screen, I smirked coldly. Payton, for the sake of a con artist, you personally handed me the knife.

I packaged all this evidence and set it to send on a timer. Target: the police department and all major mainstream media outlets.

After finishing this, I received a call from Payton. "Tomorrow is Sophia's wedding. You must attend." His voice still carried that commanding tone.

"In what capacity should I attend?" I asked flatly. "Ex-wife, or the stray dog you kicked out?"

Payton was silent for two seconds, his tone tinged with displeasure.

"Lily, stop making a scene. There will be a lot of media tomorrow. You attending as Payton Corporation's spokesperson will dispel rumors that we're on bad terms. As long as you cooperate, I'll compensate you double for the facility's loss."

"Compensation?" I laughed lightly. "Payton, some things once broken can never be fixed."

"Lily! What exactly do you want!" He finally lost his patience. "I'm warning you, if you dare not show up tomorrow, or if you dare cause trouble at the wedding, I guarantee you'll never be able to stay in the skydiving world!"

"Fine, I'll go." I calmly hung up. I would give them a wedding gift they'd never forget.

The next day, the weather was terribly gloomy, strong winds rolling with dark clouds. The wedding of the century was held at an outdoor estate owned by Payton Corporation.

I wore a black trench coat with no makeup, my face pale as a ghost. Payton wore a white custom suit. Seeing me, he frowned deeply and strode over. "Why are you wearing this? Didn't I have someone send you a dress?"

"The dress was too dirty. I found it disgusting." I looked straight into his eyes.

Just then, Sophia approached in a trailing wedding dress, supported by Sebastian. "Miss Lily, you came." Sophia smiled happily, showing off as she touched the blue diamond necklace around her neck.

I looked at this revolting father and daughter, then at Payton standing beside them, his eyes fixed on Sophia. "Yes, past matters should be completely resolved today."

I raised my wrist and checked the time. Ten o'clock sharp. The time the scheduled email was set to go out.

Almost simultaneously, piercing sirens suddenly sounded outside the estate. Over a dozen police cars roared up, directly breaking through the estate gates.

Several police officers strode up to them. "Sebastian, you're suspected of massive fraud and illegal money laundering. Please come with us. Mr. Payton, your private accounts are suspected of involvement in international money laundering. Please cooperate with our investigation."

Cold handcuffs were directly clamped onto Sebastian's and Payton's wrists. Sophia screamed and collapsed to the ground in fright.

Payton looked at the handcuffs on his wrists in shock, then suddenly turned to look at me. "Lily... was this you?" His voice was trembling.

I stood in place, looking at his pathetic state, not a ripple of emotion in my heart. "Happy wedding, Mr. Payton." I smiled slightly and turned to walk into the strong wind.