The night air was cold.
But Elena Carter didn't stop walking.
Not when the whispers followed her.
Not when her chest felt like it was breaking apart.
Not even when the tears finally slipped down her face.
She kept walking until the lights of the grand hotel faded behind her.
Only then did she stop.
Her hands trembled.
Her marriage… was over.
Just like that.
Three years of love—gone in a single sentence.
Elena let out a shaky breath and reached into her bag, pulling out her phone.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she dialed.
The line rang once.
Twice.
Then—
"Miss Carter?"
The voice on the other end was respectful. Careful.
Completely different from the way she had been treated just minutes ago.
Elena closed her eyes.
"It's time," she said quietly.
A pause.
Then the tone on the other end changed instantly.
Sharp. Alert.‼️
"…Are you sure?"
Elena opened her eyes, and this time, there was no hesitation left.
"Yes."
"I'm done pretending."
Across the city, in the top floor of a private office building, a man stood abruptly from his seat.
Daniel Carter.
One of the most powerful figures in the business world.
And Elena's brother.
"Understood," Daniel said calmly, though his eyes had already turned cold. "I'll activate everything immediately."
"No," Elena replied.
He paused.
"I'll handle it myself."
Silence.
Then, slowly—
A faint smile appeared on Daniel's lips.
"Looks like someone finally woke up."
Back outside, Elena lowered her phone.
The wind brushed against her face, drying the last of her tears.
The weak, loving wife…
Was gone.
In her place stood someone else entirely.
Someone Adrian Blake had never truly known.
Meanwhile, inside the grand ballroom—
Adrian Blake couldn't focus.
Not on Vanessa.
Not on the guests.
Not on anything.
His gaze kept drifting toward the entrance.
Empty.
She was really gone.
"Adrian?" Vanessa called softly, touching his arm. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," he replied instantly.
Too quickly.
Vanessa's smile stiffened slightly, but she said nothing.
The party continued.
Laughter. Music. Celebration.
But for some reason…
Everything felt off.
The next morning.
News spread like wildfire.
"Adrian Blake Divorces Wife for First Love!"
"Mystery Woman Dumps Billionaire Without a Fight!"
The entire city was talking.
But what shocked people the most—
Was what came next.
At exactly 9:00 AM—
Every major screen in the financial district lit up with one announcement:
"CARTER GROUP RETURNS TO THE MARKET."
And at the center of it—
A single name.
Elena Carter.
Inside Blake Corporation—
Adrian's assistant rushed into the office, pale.
"Mr. Blake… something's wrong."
Adrian didn't look up. "What is it?"
"The Carter Group… it's back."
Silence.
That name—
It felt familiar.
Too familiar.
Slowly, Adrian raised his head.
"What did you say?"
Before the assistant could respond, the office door opened again.
Another executive rushed in, panic written all over his face.
"Sir, our biggest overseas deal has just been blocked!"
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"By who?"
The answer came like a hammer.
"Carter Group."
At that exact moment—
In a luxurious office across the city—
Elena sat calmly in a chair, her posture elegant, her expression unreadable.
Gone was the soft, quiet woman from last night.
Now—
She looked like someone untouchable.
A true queen.
An assistant stood beside her nervously.
"Miss Carter… should we continue pressuring Blake Corporation?"
Elena picked up a document and signed it without hesitation.
"Yes."
Her voice was calm.
Cold.
"Make sure he feels it."
She paused briefly, then added—
"After all…"
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on her lips.
"He wanted me gone."