Chapter 2
648words
Beneath those vibrant, colorful flowers, the soil concealed countless rotting secrets.
Three years ago, a mutually beneficial arranged marriage bound Ethan and me together.
He needed a respectable wife and support from his in-laws. I needed a stepping stone and the platform the Grant name provided.
After marriage, he continued his affairs while I focused on leveraging my position to build my own empire.
Now I secretly held thirty percent of Grant Corporation's shares, making me the second-largest shareholder after Ethan's father.
"Jade cried until she could barely breathe. Says she won't leave until you apologize."
Ethan's tone was helpless. "She's pregnant and emotionally unstable. Try to understand."
I gave him a sidelong glance, my voice flat and emotionless.
"Jade is your recovered lost love. She's always been special to you, hasn't she?"
Ethan sighed. "Jade insists on keeping this child. Says it's the product of our love. I can't bear to hurt her."
I nodded. "Then let her have it."
Ethan looked stunned, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Iris, what are you saying? You're actually allowing her to have it?"
"After all, she's the one you cherish most. I understand." I walked closer to him, my voice taking on a playful tone.
"But as far as I know, Miss Sheridan spent an entire night with a male model at the Ritz just last month."
Ethan's face instantly turned ashen. "Iris, how dare you!"
"I'm just protecting Mrs. Grant's legal rights," I said, walking past Ethan toward the door.
"You should think about how to better handle this 'product of love.'"
At the main gate, Jade stood with one hand supporting her back, her small belly protruding.
When she saw me emerge, a flash of resentment and triumph crossed her eyes.
But the moment she spotted Ethan behind me, she immediately began crying pitifully.
"Ethan, I don't want to go back alone. I'm so scared..."
Ethan immediately rushed forward to support her, his voice gentle. "Don't be afraid, Jade. I'm here."
He turned to look at me, his eyes cold. "Iris, apologize to Jade right now."
I gave a light laugh and pulled a photo from my bag, handing it over.
"Miss Sheridan, know when to quit. Some secrets, once revealed, won't do anyone any good."
Ethan snatched it away and tore it into pieces without even looking at it. "Iris, do you really have to be so damn ruthless?"
I looked at them coldly. "If the show's over, please leave. I'm busy."
Back in the living room, Ethan followed behind me, but for the first time, there was wariness in his eyes.
"Iris, what kind of woman are you exactly?"
I walked to the mirror and continued trying on my newly purchased jewelry.
"That woman really knows how to ruin a perfectly good day."
Ethan silently walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a whiskey, and spoke with his back to me.
"The celebration banquet for the South City Project is next week. Father specifically instructed that you must attend."
"As Mrs. Grant, how could I possibly miss such an important event?" I replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"You know what this means." Ethan turned around.
"All partners and media will be there. I don't want any mishaps."
"Of course," I smiled slightly. "We're in this together."
"But you'd better clean up your little birds yourself. The media loves digging up scandals about prominent families. If it affects our stock price, you'll have a hard time explaining that to your father."
Ethan paused, his grip tightening on the doorknob as he coldly stated,
"Mind your own damn business. Don't worry about my affairs."
The door slammed shut behind him.
Ethan would never understand that I never cared about the women around him—only about the entire Grant empire.
Men. So skilled at flattering themselves.
