Chapter 1

I was on my engagement day with mafia boss Jackson Wade when my first love crashed the ceremony.

I didn't hesitate to run away with him, but he let go of my hand outside the door and turned to his friends:

"Told you she'd follow me. Pay up, guys!"

In an instant, I became the laughingstock of the entire city.

That night, Jackson chopped off my ex's right hand.

"Anyone who dares gossip behind her back, I'll cut out their tongue."

After that, everyone said this ruthless mafia boss was madly in love with me—he could even forgive my betrayal.

Until our wedding night, when a woman showed up at the door with a child:

"If it weren't for Jackson's grandfather saying he'd only get his inheritance if he married you, why would he ever marry you?"

"We got married three years ago. As for you, get lost!"

But did they all forget? I'm the heir to New York's biggest mafia family.

0I had them both kidnapped immediately.

When I pressed my gun against the woman's temple, Jackson rushed over.

"She dies, or you die. Choose."

"Phoenix, if you're angry, take it out on me. Felicity and the child are innocent!"

Jackson stared at me intently, while the black-suited bodyguards behind him surrounded me.

Felicity cried with terror written all over her face: "Jackson, save me! This crazy woman Phoenix wants to kill me and the child!"

Her shrill voice grated on my nerves. I tapped Felicity's temple with my gun barrel and threw the marriage certificate in Jackson's face.

"Innocent? Then explain this to me."

I laughed coldly: "Making the head of the Graves family the mistress! Jackson, you've got some nerve! Doing what even your parents didn't dare to do!"

Guilt flashed in Jackson's eyes as he explained helplessly:

"You were conservative before marriage and wouldn't let me touch you. I only found her to satisfy my needs. The child was an accident. I promise she won't bother you anymore."

"You want me to coexist peacefully with her?"

I smiled bloodthirstily and pulled back the safety with a click:

"Those who insult the Graves family must pay in blood!"

"So, do you die, or do she and this bastard die together?"

Watching Jackson's hard face unconsciously reveal heartache and anxiety, I knew the scales in his heart had already tipped toward that mother and child.

Felicity suddenly broke free from her ropes and shouted angrily: "Don't you dare hurt Jackson!"

Years of vigilance made me instantly pull out my dagger. I kicked Felicity's knee, and as her body tilted, she crashed into the blade. She screamed in agony as a bloody mark appeared on her face.

"Felicity!"

Jackson's eyes instantly turned red. Without hesitation, he shot at me. I dodged, covering my grazed arm as I watched Jackson carry Felicity away.

The pain in my arm stimulated my nerves. In my mind, I heard sixteen-year-old Jackson earnestly swearing to me:

"Phoenix, my gun will never be aimed at you. It will only obey your orders and target your enemies!"

"Miss Graves? Should I chase them down?"

My most trusted assistant, Hannah Brown, asked me quietly.

Chase?

My eyes were cold, my voice like ice: "Tell the executives—withdraw Graves Group from that massive joint project with the Wade family!"

The next day, the company issued an announcement that Graves Group was withdrawing from its collaboration with the Wade family. Without Graves's technical support, Wade family stocks crashed that very day.

Jackson called furiously, his voice full of anger:

"Phoenix Graves, suddenly terminating our partnership will affect both families. Are you really going to be this reckless?"

I scattered some fish food and watched the koi in the pond compete for it, smiling dangerously:

"I already told you—those who insult the Graves family must die."

"For Grandfather Wade's sake, I'll give you two choices: divorce that woman or the Wade family goes bankrupt. Pick one."

His breathing on the other end grew heavy. A moment later, he hung up abruptly.

Half an hour later, Jackson sent me a photo of a divorce certificate. I notified the company to resume cooperation with the Wade family.

Hannah handed me a towel to wipe my hands, saying quietly: "Miss Graves, you're still being soft on him."

I slowly withdrew my hand, my tone somewhat desolate: "I don't have many family members left."

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