Chapter 2

Ethan was desperate for money. Starlight Tech's Series C funding had hit a snag, and the deadline for their performance guarantee agreement was closing in.

If he couldn't get the funds, he wouldn't just lose absolute control of the company—he'd face massive compensation claims.

During breakfast, he did something he'd never done before: he poured me a glass of milk.

"Luna, that overseas investment fund your uncle runs... is it currently looking for domestic projects?" he asked, feigning casualness.

I took a sip of milk, understanding him perfectly. He was trying to bleed my family dry again.

"My uncle's fund has a very high bar. Starlight's current financials might not meet their risk control requirements." I set the glass down, my tone calm.

The gentleness on Ethan's face vanished instantly. He threw his knife and fork down on the plate with a harsh clatter.

"What kind of attitude is that, Luna?" he demanded, staring me down with a dark expression.

"I'm your husband. My company is your company."

"You're not helping me, and on top of that, you're discouraging me."

"Without me providing this luxurious life, do you think you could just sit pretty and be a trophy wife?"

"You really think you're irreplaceable?"

Watching his enraged face, I felt absolutely nothing.

"I'll talk to my uncle," I said, lowering my head slightly and putting on a face of compromise.

Only then did Ethan manage a sneer of satisfaction. "That's more like it."

"Remember to dress smartly when you go see him. Don't embarrass me."

I got my laptop immediately.

I didn't contact my uncle. Instead, I logged into Starlight Tech's internal system.

As a co-founder of the company, I'd been sidelined, but my super admin permissions had never been revoked—he didn't dare, because he still needed my public image to prop up the company's facade.

I downloaded and packaged all the company's financial records from the past two years, the dual-contract ledgers, and the records of the fictitious overseas project outsourcing he'd used to funnel money to Su Nian and her son. I encrypted everything and sent it to Julian.

That afternoon, I went to Julian's law firm.

Julian pushed a thick file toward me, his finger tapping the English-language fax on top.

"The registration documents from the Caymans just came through."

"Ethan transferred Starlight Tech's core algorithm patents through cross-licensing to a shell company registered in the Cayman Islands."

He paused for a beat.

"The sole director and legal representative of that shell company is Su Nian."

He was gutting Starlight Tech. He had made preparations long ago so that even if the company went bankrupt, he could run off with the core tech and enjoy a carefree life overseas with Su Nian.

"He sure has a nice dream," I mumbled, flipping through the documents. A cold smirk curled the corner of my mouth.

"Julian, help me register a new MCN agency."”

"Strip the ownership of all my personal social media accounts from Starlight Tech."

"The reason will be that Starlight is reducing operating costs by making my personal IP an independently accounted unit."

Julian gave me a deep look. "You're planning to go solo?"

"No." I shut my laptop. "Old Mr. Lee from the finance department, is he reliable?"

Julian's reply was quick. "Old Lee has been with the company for five years. He was one of the old guard your grandfather recommended back in the day."

"He owes your family a favor."

I stared at my screen and slowly typed a line: "Tell him it's time to repay that favor."

"I'm going to turn Starlight Tech into an empty shell, and I'll be the one holding their lifeline."

For the next two weeks, I played the obedient wife at home every day.

Ethan, thinking I'd already handled things with my uncle, was riding high on life every time he came home.

He even started taking frequent, furtive international calls, his voice dripping with a tenderness I hadn't heard in years.

I knew what it meant. Su Nian was coming back.

Because Ethan figured he was about to have complete control over all the wealth. He didn't need me as a stepping stone anymore.

He was finally ready to bring his true love and their biological son home to enjoy the good life.