After Rebirth, I Won't Be a Scapegoat Anymore; My Ex-Wife Kneels and Begs Me to Come Back

In my past life, Chloe Hendersons boyfriend, Liam Hayes, was developing an electric vehicle when the battery exploded, sending Henderson Motors to the brink of bankruptcy overnight.

Without hesitation, I married Chloe and took over the mess Liam left behind.

I poured my heart and soul into turning things around, developing a new generation of smart EVs that pulled the nearly bankrupt Henderson Motors back to the industrys peak.

But on the day the company went public, Chloe publicly accused me of murdering Liam and stealing his technological breakthroughs during the bell-ringing ceremony.

Chloe herself had me thrown in jail, where she watched me be tortured to death.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Chloes grandfather, Mr. Henderson, was deciding who would lead the new vehicle project.

He frowned deeply, speaking awkwardly. Ryan, you and Liam are both incredibly talented, but there can only be one lead for the new project.

I bowed slightly and declined. Im afraid my skills arent quite up to such a big role. Let Liam take charge.

Mr. Hendersons face showed urgency, and his voice rose.

Ryan, do you even know what youre saying?

I stood up, my gaze meeting Chloes calmly.

Chloe, Im sure you agree with my decision too, right?

Her eyes turned icy when she realized how perceptive I was.

At least you know your place!

In terms of both technical expertise and experience, I was far more suited for the position than Liam.

Before today, everyone had assumed I would lead this project, and my engagement to Chloe would naturally follow.

But in this life, Chloes cold gaze fixed on me.

I understood instantly. Shed come back too.

If youre that desperate to save your boyfriend, then I wont stand in your way.

Chloe said nothing and quickly left the conference room.

I knew where she was going. At this very moment, Liam was testing a battery solutionand that explosion would kill him.

There was still time to fix everything.

I stayed put, a cold emptiness spreading through my chest.

Ten years of marriage in my past life couldnt compare to her favoritism for Liam.

Ryan, do you have any idea what youre saying?! Mr. Henderson looked at me with deep disappointment.

This old man, who had personally taught me mechanical engineering, was now utterly bewildered by my actions.

I spoke with indifference.

Chloe actually prefers Liam, so I think I should step aside and let them be together.

Mr. Henderson sighed. Remembering Chloes resolute departure just moments ago, he couldnt bring himself to scold me.

I quietly returned to my room, packing only a few changes of clothes and an external hard drive containing the projects core files.

The next morning, an internal email announced the new personnel appointment.

Liam Hayes was named Head of the Velocity Project, accompanied by a photo of him looking radiant and confident.

I placed the hard drive in my backpack, my face expressionless.

Just before noon, loud shouting erupted from the office downstairs.

Standing at the end of the hallway, I heard Liams furious roar.

Chloe! You promised me! The second I became project lead, youd hand the German partnership over to me! Why is Ryans name still attached to it?!

Chloe spoke helplessly. Liam, Ryan handled all the initial technical discussions for that partnership. If we switch now, the Germans will have serious concerns!

I dont care! Liam snapped, clearly displeased. Im the future of Henderson Motors! Chloe, are you really going to trust an outsider over me?!

The partnership with the German company was crucial for Henderson Motors to acquire the latest generation of Battery Management Systems.

In my past life, I secured this partnership, and my optimizations based on it were what made Hendersons new car an instant success.

Chloe knew this full well.

A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was Mr. Henderson.

He sat in his office, his face etched with weariness.

Ryan, about this Im truly sorry.

It dawned on me then: Chloe had still managed to get Liam the lead position on the German partnership.

I spoke calmly. Mr. Henderson, you dont need to say anything. I understand.

Mr. Henderson looked up at me, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He had always treated me like his own grandson.

But faced with his granddaughters demands on one side and his chosen successor on the other, he had ultimately given in to Chloe.

From my backpack, I pulled out the hard drive containing my lifes work and placed it before him.

This hard drive has all the data and technical solutions for the Velocity project, including all the documentation for the German partnership.

Every file on this drive was the culmination of countless days and nights of my effort.

Watching my composed face, Mr. Hendersons lips moved, but he couldnt utter a single word.

I stood up and bowed deeply to him.

Mr. Henderson, Ill never forget your guidance these past years.

Just then, Chloe and Liam pushed the door open and walked in.

Did he agree?

Chloe didnt even glance at me, asking Mr. Henderson directly.

He nodded, and Liam immediately reached out to grab the hard drive.

But I spoke up suddenly.

Wait.

Liam instantly glared at me, his eyes wary.

Ryan, what now? What do you want?

I shook my head and pulled a document from my pocket.

This is the most critical Battery Safety Agreement for the German partnership. I just finalized it yesterday and havent uploaded it to the hard drive yet.

Liam took the document. His face changed as he looked at the stringent terms and data.

These standards are extremely high. If even one item isnt met, the Germans will revoke their technical authorization, and the tens of millions weve invested will all go down the drain.

My tone was flat.

With your proposed solution, meeting these standards shouldnt be an issue, right?

Liams face flushed red, but he still stubbornly scoffed.

Dont be so dramatic! Its just a safety protocol. I can handle it in minutes.

I didnt say anything more.

Liams approachsacrificing safety for performancewas nothing short of a ticking time bomb.

Chloe spoke coldly.

You can leave now.

From today on, Henderson Motors and you, Ryan Sterling, are finished. We have no further connection.

Just as I was about to leave, Liam called out to me.

Wait. Since Ryan isnt the project head anymore, hes not exactly family, right? By rights, everything hes currently using belongs to the Hendersons. Shouldnt he leave it all behind before he goes? Chloe, dont you agree?

I turned, ignoring Liams smug face, my gaze fixed only on Chloe.

Is this what you want?

She stood there, her eyes flickering with a hint of evasion.

But in the end, she silently agreed.

Hearing this, Mr. Henderson was so furious he smashed the teacup next to him on the floor.

You absolute brats! Ryans been with the Hendersons for eight yearshes family! How dare you treat him like this?!

Grandpa! Chloe finally spoke, but it was to defend Liam. Liams right. If hes leaving, we should settle everything now to avoid future complications.

I looked at her and suddenly smiled.

Mr. Henderson, if this is Chloes decision, then Ill respect it. But if were settling accounts, then I need to do my own math. I joined the Hendersons when I was twenty, learning from you, and its been eight years to this day.

Liam scoffed disdainfully.

So youre trying to win sympathy with that?

I glanced at him, then continued. In my second year with the company, I streamlined the production line process, saving the corporation over three million dollars annually.

In my fourth year, my chassis tuning solution helped Henderson Motors secure the largest municipal procurement contract that year.

In my sixth year, to solve the motor overheating issue

I listed them, one by one, detail by detail.

With each point I made, Chloes face grew a shade paler.

All of this added up. In those eight years, the profits I generated for Henderson Motors far exceeded everything the Hendersons ever gave me.

Chloes lips were tightly pressed together.

She, of course, knew the weight of these accomplishments.

In my past life, it was these very foundations that allowed Henderson Motors to revive from the brink of collapse under my leadership.

The Hendersons supported me for eight years, and I worked myself to the bone for Henderson Motors for eight years. My efforts are enough to repay Mr. Hendersons mentorship. From now on, we owe each other nothing.

Liam, however, let out a sarcastic laugh.

Easy for you to say. The car you drive, the house you live inwhich of those truly belongs to you?

He stepped forward, pointing at the car keys in my pocket.

That Mercedes, thats Chloes, right?

Then he pointed at the watch on my wrist.

That Vacheron Constantin, must be close to a million, right? How could a broke kid like you afford that?

Finally, he pointed at the documents on the desk.

And that Grand View apartment in your nameMr. Henderson gave you that too, didnt he? Seriously, what here *isnt* from the Hendersons?

I let him mock me, my gaze never leaving Chloe.

But she remained silent.

Chloe.

I couldnt help but ask her. That year on my birthday, the promise you whispered in my earhave you forgotten it?

Finally, she ground out two words.

Forgot.

I had thought that after coming back to this life, my heart was already dead.

But at this moment, those two words still stabbed me painfully.

I forcibly suppressed the dull ache in my chest and began to unfasten the watch on my wrist.

Mr. Henderson suddenly stood up.

Ryan! Dont do this!

Mr. Henderson. I cut him off, placing the watch on the table. Rules are rules.

Car keys, apartment keysI pulled them out one by one, placing them next to the watch.

Finally, I took off my expensive suit jacket, folded it neatly, and laid it on the table.

I was left in just a thin white shirt.

Liams face wore a look of vindictive pleasure.

Chloe finally couldnt hold back and called out to me.

Stop! Thats enough!

I looked at her calmly.

From now on, I am just me. I, Ryan Sterling, am no longer an employee of Henderson Motors, nor am I Chloe Hendersons fianc. We are nothing to each other anymore.

I shouldered my backpack and walked out of the office. The hallway was packed with employees eager for drama.

On the companys internal message board, the news of my dismissal was already pinned at the top.

My colleagues pointing and whispering glances stabbed me like needles.

Look, thats him! The freeloader finally got kicked out!

He actually thought Chloe would keep him. Look at where he came from!

Without Henderson Motors, hes nothing!

I dragged my heavy feet, walking step by step through the crowd.

Just as I exited the corporations main gates, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing the serious face of a middle-aged man.

Mr. Sterling? Were from the Federal Automotive Technology Institute. Our director would like to speak with you.