I woke up alone in a cheap hospital room, my ribs wrapped tight and a sharp sting on my left cheek. The silence pressed in around me, cold and total. My new husband was nowhere to be found. A nurse came in, her face pinched with curiosity.
“Where is your family? Aren’t you the bride from that fire on the news? Your husband isn’t with you? ”
I didn’t want to answer, but the words left my mouth anyway.
“He’s upstairs taking care of someone else. ”
“What? But that girl just had a scratched hand. There’s a whole team fussing over her upstairs.
So unfair. Try not to move. You’ll make your injuries worse. If no one can look after you, I’ll arrange a nurse.
”
That was the day I married Alexander. And the day a fire consumed everything. I lay in a shabby room with broken ribs and a scarred face, while my Alexander was upstairs peeling an apple for my sister, Joyce. My father’s voice reached me later, full of misplaced comfort.
He was telling Joyce none of it was her fault. And then I heard Joyce’s voice, the lie coated in tears. “Dad, it wasn’t an accident. It was murder.
Danielle hated that you and Alexander favored me. She pushed me. She wanted me dead. ”
I called out, my voice raw.
“I swear I didn’t push her. She told me she had a wedding gift for me in the storage room. As soon as we went in, the fire started. ”
Alexander’s face was stone.
“Enough. You’re just making excuses. ”
“I’m your wife. Why won’t you believe me?
”
He didn’t believe me. My father didn’t either. They surrounded my bed, demanding I apologize, demanding I kneel. My father called me an ungrateful monster.
Alexander said he would never call such an evil woman his wife. “You tried to kill my daughter,” my father spat. “Apologize now, or I’ll call the police. ”
“I already told you I did nothing wrong.
I’m innocent. I will not kneel. I will not apologize. ”
They left, threatening me.
Joyce lingered. When we were alone, she leaned in close, her smile sharp as glass. “So, you planned the whole fire, didn’t you? The storeroom was soaked in gasoline, rigged with explosives.
The moment you walked in, it went up. What are your precious cameras going to do? I deleted every backup. Dad and Alexander won’t trust you.
”
I should have known then. But I was still waiting for Alexander to find the truth. I overestimated him. The next day, he came to my room, not with answers, but with a paper.
“We’re getting a divorce. I refuse to waste my life on a woman as evil as you. ”
“Fine. I agree.
I don’t want a husband who can’t see the truth. ”
He laughed. “Are they insane? Leaving you to rot while they fawn over that little snake.
I’ll make them pay. ”
That was Lillian, my assistant, the only one who had ever been on my side. She helped me handle my discharge. As we were leaving, I looked toward the VIP room.
Alexander was gently peeling an apple for Joyce. Ten years of love, and his tenderness was never meant for me. I couldn’t hold on any longer. I blacked out.
When I woke in the ICU, two days had passed. Lillian was there. “Danielle, how are you feeling? ”
“I’m fine.
” I opened my phone. The internet was flooded with accusations against me. Joyce was painted as the innocent victim. “We can’t let Joyce win,” Lillian said, her voice tight.
“The whole world thinks she’s the kind, beautiful, rightful heir of the Harper family. It’s laughable. You’re the founder of Elite Luxury. If you hadn’t given it all up for that useless man, you’d be at the top of the rich list.
”
“Of course I’m not going to let them slander me. I’ve made a decision. I’m filing for divorce. ”
Lillian’s eyes lit up.
“You finally come to your senses? I thought that jerk was going to ruin your entire life. ”
Was I really that hopeless before? “Absolutely,” she said.
“You were completely lost. ”
Lying in my hospital bed, I called my legal department to prepare the papers. Lillian asked what compensation I wanted. “I lost my mother at five.
I built my brand from nothing. I was a billionaire before I turned eighteen. I don’t need a single cent from Alexander. I don’t want his dirty money.
”
After I was discharged, I called Alexander. His secretary answered, dripping with contempt. “Daniella, what now? ”
“I need to speak with Alexander.
”
“Mr. Bennett is in a meeting. ”
“Tell him to meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at 8:00 a. m.
We’re getting a divorce. ”
I knew the message would reach him. And I knew Joyce would twist it. “This is all my fault,” she’d say to him.
“You were taking care of me in the hospital. Of course Daniella is angry and jealous. ”
I returned to my hotel feeling nothing but relief. Leaving that man was far easier than I ever imagined.
Lillian met me at the door. “When do we leave for headquarters? ”
“Get Ryan over here. The divorce is happening, but I also need to clear my name.
”
Ryan came, my lead engineer. I gave him a simple order. “Starting tomorrow morning, release that recording and the surveillance footage online. Run it everywhere for a full week.
”
Early the next morning, I arrived at the courthouse in a striking white dress. Passersby turned to stare. While waiting, a stranger flirted with me, which made Alexander burn with jealousy. He appeared beside me, his voice low with warning.
“Daniella, don’t test my patience. ”
“You won’t have to put up with me much longer. I’ve been waiting over three hours. Let’s just get this done.
”
He gave me one last chance. “Admit you started the fire and get on your knees to apologize to Joyce. Do that, and I’ll consider forgetting the whole thing. ”
“Don’t waste my time.
My knees don’t bend for anyone. Sign here. ”
“Daniella! Let me be clear.
You want a divorce? You won’t get a penny of my money. ”
“That little sum of yours? Give it to Joyce.
She might need it for her medical bills one day. ”
I signed. He signed. It was done.
An hour later, I boarded my private jet and left Oriswa City behind. At the same time, at Phillips Group headquarters, a secretary knocked and walked into a large conference room in the middle of a meeting about an $80 million project. “Mr. Phillips, Ms.
Harper has finalized her divorce. ”
The man in charge, Cedric Phillips, stood immediately. “Really? This meeting is adjourned.
Kevin, book me on the next flight to Elite Luxury headquarters. ”
The executives exchanged bewildered glances. At that moment, the recording of Joyce confessing went viral. Experts confirmed it was authentic and unaltered.
Joyce was publicly destroyed. Public opinion flipped completely. Netizens rallied behind me, condemning Joyce, Alexander, and my own father. In Alexander’s office, chaos reigned.
He tried to call me, only to realize I had blocked him. Then my father called him. “What is going on with Daniella? Joyce is at home crying her eyes out.
”
“I divorced Daniella today. ”
My father gasped, his rage triggering a collapse. He fell to the floor and was rushed to the hospital. In the hospital room, everyone crowded around my father’s bed.
I wasn’t there, but I was told every word. Alexander claimed the recording and footage were fake. My father agreed. “Alexander, don’t let the divorce trouble you.
You and Joyce… you’re a perfect match. The Harper and Bennett families always had a marriage pact. Alexander, you can marry Joyce instead. I’m going to make a public statement right now, disowning Daniella as my daughter.
From today on, Joyce is my only daughter. ”
But Alexander did something I didn’t expect. He investigated for himself. When he confronted Joyce, she crumbled.
She fell to her knees, sobbing. “I was desperate. Daniella knew everything. Behind my back, she always mocked me as the stepmother’s stray.
She pushed me to the edge. I made a mistake in a moment of desperation. Alexander, please believe me. ”
He didn’t forgive her, but he didn’t expose her either.
He just warned her to be more careful. The Harper Group hired a PR firm to manage the fallout, but Cedric stepped in and sent the scandal trending again. My father texted me, threatening to disown me if I didn’t kill the story within three days. Alexander hired private investigators to find me.
They came up empty. “I paid you a fortune,” Alexander snarled at the lead detective. “You can’t find one defenseless woman? ”
“Mr.
Bennett, my team is the best in the country. If she’s managed to evade us, no one will find her. But I have to ask, are you sure she’s just an ordinary woman? ”
Of course he didn’t know.
I am the CEO of Elite Luxury, one of the richest people in the world. Someone like him thinks he can just find me? Three months later, Oriswin City was rocked by explosive news. The city’s landmark, the Luxon Tower, had been bought by a mysterious tycoon.
An offer too high to refuse. Alexander was at a banquet when he received an urgent call from his father, Richard. “Have you heard? The Luxon Tower was just bought by the CEO of Elite Luxury.
That’s a multinational design powerhouse worth billions. An absolute industry leader. If we can get in with them, the possibilities are endless. I hear the CEO is coming to inspect the renovations tomorrow.
Bring your best portfolio. Try to land a collaboration. ”
Alexander wanted to know what the CEO liked. No luck.
“They’re very low profile. No public information. But he probably likes fine wine or luxury watches. Bring a lavish gift.
”
Richard added, “Oh, and if you can, take Joyce with you. Caden adores Joyce. Treats her like his own flesh and blood. If the Harper fortune really ends up in her hands, marrying her wouldn’t be a bad move.
Daniella is useless now. Time to cut her loose completely. ”
Alexander stood frozen, expressionless, eyes downcast. Meanwhile, Cedric entered the banquet hall.
Every powerful figure rose to greet him respectfully. A man whispered to Alexander, “Don’t mess with that guy. I heard he just bought the Skyline Tower right across from Luxon. He’s planning to be neighbors with the CEO of Elite Luxury.
A powerhouse alliance. ”
When Alexander raised his glass to toast Cedric, he was completely ignored. “Did you offend Mr. Phillips?
” the man asked. “He’s not someone to cross. Offend him, and he’ll retaliate endlessly. ”
Alexander’s phone rang.
It was Joyce, urging him to go shopping for the CEO’s gift. At a large mall, Joyce led him into a golf shop. “I asked around. The CEO of Elite Luxury is a handsome guy who loves golf.
Imagine giving him a golf club. He’ll be thrilled. ”
Alexander frowned at an $8,000 price tag. Joyce dismissed it.
“Do you know how hard it is to make money these days? Besides, my friend is arranging the meeting. We don’t need to go overboard on the gift. What matters is our sincerity, not the price.
”
He took the golf club home. Richard was horrified when he saw it. “You’re not seriously planning to give that to the president of Elite Luxury, are you? Joyce’s stinginess is etched into her bones.
Pathetic. Remember that custom club Danielle gave me a while back? Way better than this. A masterpiece by a world-renowned artisan.
One of a kind. Priceless. Over $4 million. ”
“How did she have that kind of money?
”
“Just got reliable intel. The president’s private jet has landed early. He’ll be at Luxon Tower within the hour. Bring the good club.
”
The next day, I arrived at Luxon Tower. Joyce was outside, bragging to Alexander about her “intel. ” When she saw my limited edition Lincoln car, she got excited. “Look, Alexander.
That’s the car. That must be him, the president of Elite Luxury. ”
Lillian got out first. Then I stepped out from the back seat.
Joyce’s excitement turned into complete shock. “Danielle, what are you doing here riding in the president’s car? Kicked out of the Harper family, dumped by Alexander. So, now you’ve gone and seduced the president of Elite Luxury, have you?
”
She frantically rushed to the car, but it was empty. “Danielle, where is the president? What have you done with him? ”
I ignored her and spoke to the building manager, who rushed up to me with a respectful attitude.
“Hello, Ms. Harper. Mr. Phillips had planned to greet you in person, but his car broke down.
He should be here shortly. Also, as you requested, we have renamed the building. ”
Joyce completely lost control when she saw the new name: Harper Tower. She turned to Alexander, screaming that I must have bewitched the president.
“Once he shows up, I’ll expose Danielle for the lying, scheming fraud she is. ”
She waited downstairs for another hour, growing impatient. Her “friend” confirmed the president was already inside. So Joyce pulled Alexander into the building through the garbage chute, and started a livestream on her phone.
“Hello everyone. I’m Joyce. Today, something unbelievable has happened. I received word that I’d be meeting my sister, who’s been missing for three months.
Come with me to see my dear sister. ”
She burst into my office holding her phone. I let her. Lillian wanted to stop her, but I held her back.
Her little drama would make great free publicity for my return. “Wow, everyone look. Can you believe my sister? After only three months away, cut off from the family financially, she’s ended up in the most prestigious building in the city, personally escorted by the manager.
Isn’t my sister amazing? I’ll bet Danielle doesn’t have $100 in her pocket right now. ”
I smiled. “You’re right.
I don’t have $100 on me right now. You heard her, everyone. She just admitted it. She doesn’t have $100, but she’s here pretending to be rich.
”
“So, Danielle, are you the president’s mistress? Or did you con the manager into letting you into this building? You’re nothing but a common con artist. ”
“You should take a look in the mirror.
See who the real ugly rat is. ”
Joyce’s face flushed bright red. Just then, the elevator doors opened and Joshua Dennis walked out. “Alexander, look.
It’s Joshua Dennis. The man I told you about. He knows the president of Elite Luxury. He’s about to expose Danielle for the fraud she is.
Joshua! ”
Joshua completely ignored her and walked straight toward me. “Ms. Harper, what an honor to meet you.
I’m Joshua Dennis of Dennis Electronics. We crossed paths briefly at an international gala. My father had planned to come himself, but his car broke down. I’ve arranged a dinner and I hope you’ll do us the honor.
”
Joyce was stunned. “Joshua, have you lost your mind? You’re saying Danielle is the president of Elite Luxury? ”
Joshua stormed forward and slapped Joyce hard.
“Are you insane? She is the president of Elite Luxury and you’re standing here talking about eating feasts. Where are your manners? I told you to bring a gift, not to come here and insult people.
”
Joyce pointed to the cheap golf club in Alexander’s hand. “Mrs. Harper, I am so sorry for this disturbance. This is Joyce Holt, an acquaintance from overseas.
She’s a huge fan of yours. She even brought you a gift. ”
“A huge fan? This golf club?
” I gave a mocking smile. “$8,000. ”
Joshua’s face flushed. He was disgusted.
He opened the other box Alexander was holding, and his expression relaxed. “Miss Harper, please consider the first club a small token. This is the real gift. ”
I looked at the exquisite handle.
“Seymour Bennett. ” I realized what it was. The custom club I had once given to Alexander. “Didn’t realize the Bennett family had gone into the golf club business.
Re-gifting, are we? Mr. Bennett, you really have a head for business. Since Mr.
Bennett has treated our gift like trash, we certainly have the right to take it back. ”
Lillian stepped forward and took the club back. The atmosphere was tense, with only Joyce still muttering to herself. “How is this possible?
How? Joshua, stop pretending. How much did Danielle pay you to cook up this ridiculous lie? Danielle, you’re something else.
You even hacked the Elite Luxury website to spread fake news. ”
Alexander’s face was dark. “If you really are the president of Elite Luxury, why have you hidden it all this time? Do you think this is funny?
”
“I guess you forgot. You were always too busy with your own affairs to give me a chance to explain, weren’t you? ”
He turned to leave. “Wait,” I called.
“Take your $8,000 golf club with you. Even our caddies wouldn’t use something so cheap. ”
Joshua shamelessly pushed them out of the building. Soon, my father came knocking.
He had heard who I was. “Dad, Danielle is the president of Elite Luxury now. Can you ask her to give me a floor? ” I wasn’t there, but I was told my family sat in my living room, planning to take my building, my furniture, my aquarium, and my money.
They demanded floors 18 to 20 for Joyce. They brought in movers while I was still asleep. The housekeeper begged them to wait. Joyce slapped her hard across the face.
“Didn’t you hear me? I told you to move it. ”
Just then, the doorbell rang. It was Cedric.
His face was dark. “They’re emptying the house. ”
Joyce introduced herself, full of fake charm. But at that moment, I came downstairs after washing up.
I saw the red mark on the housekeeper’s face. My anger flared. “Danielle, how disgraceful. Sleeping so late with that work ethic,” Katrina sneered.
“I’m laughing because I’d love to hear what new lies you’ve cooked up this time,” I said. “Danielle, you watch your mouth. ”
“If I remember correctly, you issued a public statement disowning me. Since we are no longer related, let me ask, by what right did you bring these people into my home?
You struck my employee and began looting my house. If that isn’t broad daylight robbery, what is? ”
Katrina tried to play the victim. I wasn’t having it.
I made the movers leave, at their expense. I faced my father, who demanded I give Joyce the floors and set up a collaboration with her boutique. “Dad, I don’t really understand design,” Joyce said. “Good idea.
I’ve been to your office. It’s very impressive. Do the same standard for your sister’s. It’s your responsibility to look after her.
”
“Floors, of course. Renovation? Why not? ” I smiled.
“Prepare the documents. Transfer the floors to Joyce. ”
My father looked shocked, then pleased. But then I added, “Wait.
I said I could help my sister, but you’re talking about Joyce. I value blood ties above all else, and Joyce shares no blood with my mother. So I don’t recognize her as my sister. ”
My father exploded with rage and raised his hand to strike me.
Cedric stepped in front of me in an instant. “What do you think you’re doing? ”
“I’m disciplining my daughter. Are you going to interfere?
”
“Go ahead and hit me if you want to be on the front page tomorrow,” I said calmly. “I’m curious how the headlines will read. ‘Elite Luxury president’s father commits assault, attempts to seize property. ’”
They left, defeated.
Only Joyce lingered, trying to invite herself to lunch with Cedric. He shut her down cleanly. She ran out crying. Cedric and I went to lunch.
He was kind, quiet, watchful. As he started to say something important, I excused myself to the restroom. When I came out, Alexander blocked my way. “He likes you.
If the timing were different, you’d know exactly what Cedric wanted to say. ”
“So what, Mr. Bennett? What business is that of yours?
”
“It’s none of my business, but I’m telling you Cedric has ulterior motives. He’s getting close to you for a reason. ”
“Oh? Cedric has motives?
And what about you? What gives you the right to give me advice? What role are you playing in this drama? ”
I didn’t look at him again.
I turned and walked away. Later, Cedric drove me home. He told me he would be there for me if I ever needed anything. “You’re a good person.
The fault isn’t yours, it’s theirs. Don’t be sad over people who don’t deserve you. ”
I thanked him. He even tried to arrange a new housekeeper for me.
I declined, saying Lillian had it covered. But I later discovered Cedric had hacked Lillian’s computer to make sure the “perfect” candidate was found. The housekeeper, Josie, was too perfect. She cooked brilliantly, spoke five languages, and had a kind face.
I sensed there might be trouble down the road, and I told her to stay out of it if the Harper family showed up again. Meanwhile, Joyce kept scheming. She disrupted a concert at my venue. She bid on $230 million worth of auction items and refused to pay.
She kept trying to get my floors, my storefront, my life. My family came to my house, demanding I drop the charges against Joyce. When my father raised his hand to hit me again, Josie grabbed his wrist. “You call yourself a father?
How can you be so unreasonable? Joyce is your daughter, but so is Danielle. It’s because of parents like you! ”
I was stunned.
Josie didn’t stop. She turned on Katrina. “You’re the stepmother, aren’t you? The Harper fortune was built single-handedly by his first wife.
Now that Danielle’s mother is gone, you’ve come to scavenge? Have you no shame? ”
Josie pointed to the door. “Get out!
Get out now, or I’m calling the police. ”
Alexander hesitated at the door. “Danielle, you have the upper hand now. You could afford to be gracious.
You went too far today. ”
“Is that so? Now that the tables have turned, you’re preaching mercy? Where was your mercy when I lay in that hospital bed with broken ribs accused by everyone?
”
“That’s all in the past. ”
“Exactly. It’s in the past. And tonight will be, too.
Mr. Bennett, don’t be so disgusting. ”
I slammed the door hard. Joyce was arrested, humiliated.
My father, Caden, was forced to pay her bail, and he was furious with me. He got Alexander to take Joyce to a charity gala, hoping Alexander could convince me to give her a store. At the gala, I arrived in a deep blue dress. Alexander watched me, seething with jealousy as other men approached.
Joyce pouted, but Alexander snapped at her. When Joyce begged him to ask me for my store location, he finally gave in. He pulled me aside. “I need to speak with you.
You choose the place. ”
“Alexander, did you see that? ” Joyce whined. “You said you wanted to talk and she just walked away.
”
The next day, Joyce forced a meeting with me. Lillian played with her, making her pay for a $10,000 bottle of wine, drink it all, and then revealing that my prime floors were already leased to Cedric’s Phillips Group. The only space left was in the basement, next to the restrooms. “Are you insane?
” Alexander shouted. “She runs a clothing boutique. Who wants to buy clothes next to a restroom? ”
“Then we have nothing to talk about,” I said, and left.
Alexander told Joyce’s parents the store was secured. He didn’t correct their assumptions. Joyce, drunk and delusional, threw a party claiming she had gotten the floors and a director position. The next day, she showed up to move into the 18th floor, but was led by my admin staff to a forgotten corner next to the basement restroom, pointing at a wobbly stool.
They handed her a toilet brush. “I’m going to kill you, Danielle! ”
“Did I ever explicitly refuse you a director position? ” I asked calmly.
“No, you didn’t. ”
“Then you are a director. No one has ever denied that. ”
“Director of toilets?
Screw you, Danielle. That sounds ridiculous. ”
“Toilet director? That’s your term, not ours.
We call it the comfort director. You are now officially a director of Elite Luxury. This is a step up from selling clothes on the street, isn’t it? ”
Joyce stormed off without a word.
Lillian laughed so hard she couldn’t straighten her back. “Does your company really have a comfort director position? ”
“Of course not. It’s our way of showing respect for family members who help with the cleaning.
”
Their farce of demanding the property came to an end amidst Joyce’s clownish performance. Property? Position? Whatever she wanted, I gave it all to her.
And everything she wants from now on, I will also give her in full, down to the last detail. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but smile.
