Chapter 3

As soon as news of the complete break between our families spread, the company's stock price fluctuated dramatically. I stayed at the company headquarters every day.

Two weeks later, the CEO's office door was kicked open.

My mother, who should have been recovering at the nursing home, was thrown in covered in blood.

My pupils contracted. I panicked as I lifted my mother onto the sofa, shouting hoarsely:

"Hannah, call a doctor!"

Hannah rushed out with a cold face but was shot in the left leg by Jackson, her kneecap shattered. Other bodyguards were forced to kneel on the ground.

I quickly checked my mother's condition and found her entire body covered in whip marks, her breathing weak, as if she might die at any moment.

Bloodshot vessels spread across my eyeballs. I grabbed the heavy office chair and hurled it at Jackson:

"Jackson, you dared touch my mother—go to hell!"

Jackson dodged gracefully. Wearing a black suit, he sat down calmly and lit a cigarette.

Through the curling smoke, his eyes were indifferent:

"Felicity's face has permanent scarring. I couldn't bear to hurt you, so I had your mother pay the price instead."

"Don't worry, I was very measured. Just ninety-nine lashes. Your mother won't die."

"Measured?"

My hands were trembling. In extreme rage, I instead became calm:

"Jackson, from now on, the Graves family and Wade family fight to the death!"

Jackson laughed. He stood up, caressing my cheek, murmuring:

"Phoenix, don't say such angry words!"

"You're still too inexperienced. You can't handle the business world."

He pulled out a stack of documents and gently placed them in my hands: "Take a look?"

I flipped through the documents, my eyes growing deep. These were all share transfer agreements.

Over the years, Jackson had secretly bought off many shareholders and transferred their shares to him. Now he was the company's second-largest shareholder.

If he sold his shares, the company would immediately collapse.

I threw the documents on the desk and sneered:

"No wonder you dared produce a bastard child, dared brazenly hurt those I care about."

"So you'd been making moves on Graves Corporation all along! When did you start scheming?"

Jackson admitted frankly: "Seven years ago."

He embraced me from behind, very gently:

"Phoenix, the business world is ever-changing—it's not something you can handle."

His tone shifted, becoming forceful:

"I love you. The arranged marriage between Graves and Wade families remains unchanged. The position of Mrs. Wade has always been yours."

"The promise I made is still valid—I'll protect you for life, as long as you're obedient."

"Don't go after Felicity and her child anymore."

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