Chapter 9
631words
Inside were several opened bottles of health supplements and a small package of white powder.
Tests revealed the supplements had been laced with high doses of carcinogenic substances.
And only core members of the Grant family knew the safe's combination.
"How is this possible?" Ethan murmured. "Only Father and I knew about this safe..."
Ethan suddenly paused and looked at me.
The detective in charge turned to me. "Mrs. Grant, did you know about this safe?"
"Of course I knew about it," I replied calmly.
"However," I continued, "that's not the safe I know."
I walked to an oil painting in the study, moved the frame aside to reveal the wall behind it, pressed a hidden button, and a concealed door slowly opened.
"This is Father's real safe," I said.
Inside were Mr. Grant's will, important company documents, and a USB drive.
I handed the USB drive to the detective. "In here, you'll find answers left by Father himself."
Ethan stared at me in disbelief. "How did you know about Father's hidden safe?"
I sighed softly. "Father suspected someone was trying to harm him. Fearing for your inheritance, he told me about this safe—just in case."
The police immediately plugged in the USB drive. In the video, Mr. Grant faced the camera, his voice weak:
"If anything happens to me, the culprit must be someone with access to my food and medicine. If I die, have Iris contact the authorities immediately."
By the end of the video, he was barely able to speak. "There's a traitor in the Grant family. Find them."
After their investigation, the police identified Harrison Grant as the culprit. He barely resisted before confessing to everything.
On the day Harrison was arrested, Ethan came to my room.
"Thank you," Ethan's voice was heavy with relief. "If not for you, I might have been framed by my uncle and ended up in prison."
I was packing my suitcase, barely glancing his way.
"No need to thank me. I was just fulfilling my promise to your father."
Ethan noticed my suitcase. "You're leaving?"
"The crisis in the Grant family is resolved. Your position is secure."
I zipped up my suitcase. "It's time."
Ethan stepped forward, blocking my path. "Time for what?"
"Time for divorce," I said calmly.
Ethan froze. "Divorce? Why now? Aren't we good?"
"Ethan," I cut him off, "our marriage was just a business deal. The transaction is complete. Time to terminate the contract."
Ethan remained silent for a long time before finally asking: "Iris, did you ever love me? Even for a moment?"
I looked at the man who was nominally my husband and said softly: "Does it matter?"
A flash of pain crossed Ethan's eyes. "It matters to me."
I picked up my suitcase and walked toward the door. "The answer is no."
As I opened the door, Ethan spoke behind me: "What if I told you I've fallen in love with you?"
I paused but didn't turn around.
"That's unfortunate," I said, "because I can't afford your love."
Just as I walked out of the Grant mansion, my phone rang—my lawyer.
"Ms. Sullivan, everything is set. The 35% stake in Grant Corp has been transferred to your offshore company. With the South City Project shares Ethan transferred, your net worth now exceeds ten billion."
"Excellent. Activate Plan B."
"Understood. Porter took the bait. He's convinced you'll help him take over Grant Corp."
I chuckled softly. "Greed always blinds men like him."
Porter thought I was his mole inside Grant Corp. Little did he know, he was actually my pawn.
I traced the faint mark where my wedding ring had once been. It was never a symbol of love—just a business accessory.
