Accused of Cheating, I Bankrupted My Ex-Fiancé

On the eve of the companys big IPO, Nicholas couldnt wait to throw a lavish celebration party. To top it off, he instructed his secretary to hand out double year-end bonusesin cash.

With a sweet smile, Gwendoline personally handed out neatly packaged stacks of hundred-dollar bills to everyone. But when she got to me, she suddenly shoved me aside.

Move it! Filthy strays dont belong here!

Confused, I asked her what she meant.

Gwendoline sneered and threw a termination letter right in my face. A shameless tramp like you has no right to claim a bonus. Get lost before you make us sick!

As she accused me, the huge projected screen displayed a series of intimate photos of me with a major client.

Then came a bonus list at the end. The numbers on the screen stung my eyes, everyone had received at least a six-figure bonus, except for me. My column was marked with a glaring red zero.

I clenched my fists and looked up at Nicholas who stood nearby.

"Are you sure you want to fire metonight?"

I asked as the screen continued to cycle through those intimate photos of me and the client.

In the photos, I was either walking side by side with those men, clinking glasses in a toast, oreven worsebeing held around the waist as I stepped into a hotel with one of them.

Hearing my question, Nicholas tore his gaze away from the screen and looked at me coldly, saying nothing.

"Are you sure, Nicholas? I asked again.

All eyes turned to him, filled with sympathy and pity.

Ignoring the looks from his employees, he slowly stepped forward until he was towering over me. His voice was icy as he spoke, Rose, what right do you have to stay here? Every bit of this companys success comes from hard workexcept for you!

Am I lacking in money? Or care for you? Is that why you chose to humiliate me like this? Dont tell me these men are the reason you refuse to come home and be the devoted wife I asked for!

He suddenly took out a stack of photos from his pocket and slammed it hard on my face. The sharp edges grazed against my skin before they scattered to the floor.

A sting shot through me. I raised my hand and touched my cheekmy fingers came away stained with red.

They say it was a noble thing to do to bring your companys name to the public. But I won't let a disgrace scum like you to ruin it, even if youre my fiance

I looked at the cold, dignified man before me, convinced he was simply misunderstanding because of the photos. Patiently, I explained, "Nicholas, others may not believe me, but you? My success comes from my own hard workit has nothing to do with those pictures!"

"Your own hard work?" Gwendoline suddenly interjected, her tone dripping with mockery. "And what kind of 'hard work' would that be? Your skills in bed? Weve all heard just how deep your collaboration with the clients goes!"

Laughter erupted around us, with a few voices murmuring in agreement.

"Exactly! Who knows how many clients beds shes been in to get those results? And to think we used to admire her and secretly learn from her!"

Theres a saying: kick your opponent when theyre down. I never expected that even colleagues I once got along with would treat me in the perfect sense of that proverb.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. "Those photos prove nothing. My interactions with them were purely business-related!"

"Business-related? You mean bedroom business?" Gwendoline picked up the photo from the floorthe one where a man had his arm around me as we entered a hotel. "Then explain this onehow do you justify this photo?"

She continued with sneer, "This is a screenshot of a high-definition video. Want me to play the full video for everyone?"

I stared at the photo for a moment, then suddenly let out a relieved laugh.

In truth, the man in the picture was my older brother.

That night, I got drunk. I had meant to call Nicholas to pick me upbut instead, I had called my brother.

It just so happened that my brother had come from Emperor Bay that night to persuade me on behalf of our parents, hoping Id stop being stubborn with the family. He arrived just in time to pull me away from a group of men who had been looking to take advantage of me.

Who would have thought that him bringing me to a hotel to rest would be caught on camera by someone with ulterior motives?

No wonder Nicholas had been acting so strangely ever since that night, distant yet still tried to act warmly.

Turns out, he had been holding it in all this time. He waited until I had secured major clients for him and quietly leveraged my familys influence to help to start an IPO for his company. Tonight, he finally chose to lash out.

I was disappointed by his lack of trust in me.

Yet, he was also the first man I had ever truly fallen for. I dont want us to drift apart because of a misunderstanding

Even more, I didnt want my parents to find out that my first all-consuming love had ended before it even truly began. After all, I had fled Emperor Bay to escape the marriage they had arranged for me.

I wanted to choose my own partner, to stand beside someone as equals, not be trapped in a loveless business alliance. But I had never told anyone this. Not even Nicholas.

I was afraid that if he found out I was the Queen Bee of the Elite Circles, he would feel insecure, overwhelmed, crushed by the weight of it all.

Since childhood, every man around me had only liked me because of my status. I hated those calculated displays of affection, those compliments laced with ulterior motives. But Nicholaswhen he looked at me, his eyes were filled with stars.

The memories of how beautiful things once were made me laugh uncontrollably.

"What are you laughing at?" Nicholas frowned, his voice laced with disdain. "How could you laugh at times like this?"

I lifted my head and met his gaze head-on "Do you really think Im the kind of woman who sleeps her way to the top?"

"Then what else did you do?" he let out a cold scoff. "Do you think you have left thats worth my respect?"

It felt like an invisible hand had clenched around my heart, squeezing so tightly that made even breathing became painful.

I took a deep breath and spoke slowly. "The man in the photois my brother."

"Your brother?" Gwendoline burst into laughter. "Do you think were idiots? Calling some random sworn brother your real brother? What? Do you call every man you sleep with brother? Gotta admit, that does add a certain... spice to things!"

The laughter around me grew sharper, someone even whistled.

Nicholass gaze was full of contempt. "Enough. Stop embarrassing yourself. Take your termination letter and get out. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

I clenched the letter in my hand, feeling nothing but cold emptiness inside. For five years, I hid my true identity, working as an ordinary employee to help him grow his company as quickly as possible.

Now, after I personally paved his way to the top, he was ready to cast me aside like a used tool. I could handle losingbut I refused to be played for a fool. Id just consider the last five years of my youth wasted on an ungrateful oaf.

"Nicholas, youll regret this."

Hearing my quiet murmur, Nicholas reacted as if I had just told the worlds funniest joke.

"Regret?" He let out a mocking laugh. "The only thing I regret is ever meeting a faithless whore like you!"

With that, he extended his hand toward Gwendoline. The two exchanged a knowing smile and walked hand in hand toward the center of the banquet hall.

It was only then that I noticedNicholass tailored suit and Gwendolines low-cut evening gown were a matching designer set. He raised their interlocked fingers high, his voice loud and confident.

"Tomorrow marks the most important moment in our companys historygoing public! None of this would have been possible without the hard work of everyone here. Lets continue striving for greatness together!"

Thunderous applause erupted, followed by waves of cheers.

The fawning praises of Nicholas and Gwendoline as the perfect golden couple echoed clearly in my ears. Nicholass gaze swept over me without a hint of recognition. I felt like nothing more than an insignificant stranger.

Staring at the man I had loved for five years, I finally understood why my parents always said my judgment was lacking. Turns out, they were rightI had been utterly blind.

I never realized Gwendoline, Nicbolass ever-loyal secretary, had been in a relationship with him all along.

As the daughter of the Godfreys, my blindness didnt necessarily prove my incapability to work in the elite society. No matter what, I had the power to lift him to the top and I could just as easily send him crashing down from the heights!

Clutching the resignation letter in my hand, I turned to leave this suffocating place.

However, just as I took my first step, Mr. Webb from HR stepped in front of me, a fake smile plastered on his face.

Rose, theres no need to rush off so soon.

He adjusted his glasses, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness, "The company has regulations. Before resigning, you must sign a statement declaring that all your actions during your tenure have no connection to the company. Additionally, youll also need to sign a non-compete agreementjust to prevent you from using underhanded tactics to steal our clients once you leave our company."

Not long ago, everyone knew me as Nicholass fiance. With my ability to secure high-profile clients, I was treated with nothing but the best hospitality.

Mr. Webb was especially eager to involve me in his interactions, he would bow his head and sweetly address me as Mrs. Brakefield. That was in the past though. Now, he looked down at me with a self-satisfied smirk, as if belittling me could somehow restore his own sense of superiority.

I took in his pathetic display and said coldly, "A statement? A non-compete agreement? What makes you think Id ever sign them?"

Mr. Webbs smile vanished in an instant, his tone turning sharp. Why? Because of your dirty little schemes! The company has already shown you mercy by not pursuing legal actiondont mistake kindness for weakness!

I let out a mocking laugh and asked, Dirty schemes? Do you even have proof? Or are you just talking about those out-of-context photos?

Proof? Gwendoline strutted over in her high heels, her manicured finger jabbing toward my phone.

Isnt the proof right there in your phone? Who knows how many client contacts youve hoarded? For all we know, the moment you step out of here, youll start seducing them one by one to secure a new job.

As soon as she finished speaking, Mr. Webb lunged for my phone. I was caught off guard and before I could react, it was snatched from my hands.

Give it back!

Gwendoline snatched the phone from Mr. Webbs hand and quickly stepped back, a smug smirk playing on her lips.

Look at how nervous you are now! There must be plenty of things that you dont want anyone to see.

She turned to Nicholas, asking for my passcode, but after trying both his and my birthdaysalong with our anniversarythe screen remained locked. Growing impatient, Nicholas yanked the phone from her grip and barked at security to restrain me.

He tried to unlock it using facial recognition. But after multiple failed attempts, the phone defaulted to passcode entry.

Whats the password?

Since the day we got together, my passcode had always been the date he first confessed to me. How ironic that he had forgotten. Then again, I wasnt surprised at all.

Failing to unlock my phone in front of his employees only deepened his humiliation. His face darkened, thunderous with rage, his pride crumbling with every passing second.

Rose, you keep insisting those photos are a misunderstandingthen why did you secretly change your password? His accusation was beyond tedious.

Its the date you first confessed to me, I responded.

Nicholas froze, his expression shifting as he struggled to recall that day.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldnt remember. His face twisted, a chaotic blend of emotions, like a ruined painting.

I wrenched myself free from the security guards grasp and snatched my phone back from his hands. Nicholas watched in silence as I effortlessly unlocked it. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say somethingbut no words came out.

Nicholas snatched my phone without warning. His fingers swiped furiously as he hunted for proof of my so-called betrayal. Then he stopped.

He went stiff as he stared at a close-up selfie of me and my brother. A second later, his fury erupted like a storm.

Rose, how wonderful! The evidence is right herewhat excuse do you have now?

I told you, hes my brother! Give me back my phone! I continued to protest. This is theft! Slander! A complete violation of my privacy!

Nicholas raised his hand and struck me across the face. The sharp sting spread instantly, but before I could react, he lifted my phone and smashed it against the ground with brutal force. The screen shattered on impact, shards of glass scattering across the floor.

I clutched my burning cheek, fury surging through me as I lunged at him. But before I could get my hands on him, security restrained me once more.

Nicholas was provoked by my intense reaction, his dropping to an icy sneer.

Rose, dont act all innocent. Do you really think you couldve achieved those glorious accomplishments without spreading your legs? And dont even try to tell me that you did it for methats the most disgusting thing Ive ever heard.

I lifted my gaze to meet his, disappointment washing over me like a tidal wave.

Nicholas, do you really have to humiliate me like this?

He chuckled, slow and mocking. Humiliate you? Do you think you even deserve that much?

Faced with his cruelty and baseless accusations, a lump of frustration and rage formed in my chest.

Fine. Since you refuse to listen to reason, lets have the police settle this. Well see whos really indecent hereyou, with your slander, or me, with my so-called sins.

The police? He took a slow step toward me, eyes glinting with disdain.

Do you really think you still have a chance? You may not care about your reputation, but I sure as hell do.

Im so glad we were only engaged and never marriedbecause you wouldve been the biggest disgrace of my life!

I stared at the shattered phone on the floor and at that moment, the fury burning inside me finally erupted.

Nicholas, after what youve done to me, you can just forget about your IPO tomorrow! Laughter exploded around the room.

Rose, have you lost your mind? Gwendoline clutched her stomach, doubling over with laughter.

Who do you think you are? Do you really believe you have the power to stop the company from going public? Nicholas smirked, his voice dripping with mockery.

You think youre the Queen Bee of the Elite Circles or something? Like a single word from you could sink my IPO?

I lifted my head and locked eyes with him, unwavering. Then, I stated with firmness, Thats exactly who I am. And the man in those photos? Thats my brotherClaude Godfrey.

The laughter only grew louder.

Rose, have you completely lost your mind? Mr. Webb laughed so hard while slapped the table.

If youre the Queen Bee of the Elite Circles, then I must be Arthur Godfrey, the CEO of Nova Eternum Industries!

Thats right! Thats right! Others quickly joined in, treating me like a joke.

If youre the Queen Bee of the Elite Circles, well even eat shit right in front of you!

I swept my gaze over them, my lips curling into a slow, scornful smile. Arthur Godfrey is my father, not some ignorant fools like you.

Their laughter faltered for half a second, but I wasnt done. You dont believe me? Of course you dont. Trash like youwho do nothing but spew garbage and blindly follow the crowd, must be used to eating shit every day.

My words struck a nerve and the room erupted in fury.

Believe you? Believe that youre nothing but a whore who slept her way to the top? The crowds laughter swelled, the banquet descending into chaos, their ridicule ringing in my ears.

Nicholas shook his head, looking at me with a mix of pity and disgust, his tone dripping with contempt. Rose, stop making a fool of yourself and get the hell out. Youre contaminating my spacedont you ever dare associate yourself with me again.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my palms. The fury inside me was suffocating, threatening to consume me whole. But I knewnow was not the right time to lose control.

Fine, Ill leave.

I took one last look at them, my voice steady and sharp. But remember thisthe humiliation you gave me today? Ill return it a hundredfold.

Laughter erupted around the room.

"Payback? Seriously?"

Gwendoline clung to Nicholass arm, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. "Rose, have you been watching too many soap operas? Talking about payback like you're some kind of main character with plot armor?"

Nicholas smirked and waved me off like a beggar on the street. "Enough with the tragic act. Get out of here and stop wasting our timeweve got a celebration to enjoy."

I gave him one last look before turning on my heel and walking away. Behind me, the laughter and insults kept coming, but I didnt care anymore.

Outside the ballroom, I bought a new phone and dialed a number.

"Before the stock market opens tomorrow, I want Nicholas ruined."

There was a brief silence on the other end before a deep voice responded. "Understood, Miss Godfrey."

I hung up, glanced up at the night sky and let a slow, cold smile spread across my lips.

Nicholas, you thought you've won? Too bad. The real game was just starting. Since you showed me no mercydont expect any in return.