Chapter 2

I booked a suite at a downtown hotel.

The first thing I did was call my private lawyer.

“Daniel, prepare for a divorce. I’m filing.”

Daniel sounded a bit surprised on the other end, but his professionalism kept him from asking too many questions.

“Understood, Ms. Lin. What materials do you need me to prepare?”

“Everything. Asset division, and I want to sue Brendan for assault.”

“Assault?”

“Yes.”

I sent him the photo I took last night.

There was silence on his end for a full minute.

“Ms. Lin, I understand.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.”

I hung up, then looked at my absurd reflection in the mirror.

The turtle on my forehead was drawn with an oil-based marker. Water didn’t wash it off; it just smudged, making it look even uglier.

I used makeup remover, scrubbing bit by bit.

My scalp was red and raw by the time I finally got it off.

Looking at my bald head, I didn’t cry.

Tears were the most useless things in the world.

What I wanted was for them to pay.

The next morning, I went to the bank.

“Hello, I’d like to freeze all my bank cards, including all supplementary cards.”

After finishing my business, I had just walked out of the bank when Brendan’s call came through.

“Audrey, what is this?! Why did you shut down my cards?!”

“Sofia picked out a bag, and the card wouldn’t go through! Do you know how embarrassed she was?!”

I chuckled softly.

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Well, she should be even more embarrassed now.”

“Because from this moment on, if you spend one cent of my money, it has to be with my permission.”

“You!”

Brendan was too furious to speak.

“Audrey, don’t forget, half the company is mine!”

“Is it?” I said slowly.

“Are you sure you want to go over the company’s accounts with me?”

“The five million dollars you started your business with? That was my money. According to our prenuptial agreement, it’s a personal gift from me, and I have the right to revoke it at any time.”

“The company’s cash flow and accounts, every single transaction is clear. How much money did you spend on your little mistress, how many luxury cars and watches did you buy for yourself? If we really investigate, what do you think you’ll get from the company?”

On the other end of the phone, only heavy breathing remained.

Brendan was speechless.

All these years, he’d grown accustomed to living lavishly, accustomed to my unconditional support.

He’d forgotten that everything he had was built upon my contributions.

“Audrey, what exactly do you want?”

“Nothing much.”

“Just want you to experience what it’s like to be broke.”

“You love to practice, don’t you?”

“Now, it’s my turn.”