"Come home with me. From now on, you will never mention divorce again. You will cut all ties with Old Mason. If you don't—" his breath was hot against my skin, "—I won't hesitate to expose your sordid affair with a man thirty years your senior."
The accusation hit me like a physical blow.
"Raymond, you know perfectly well that Joseph and I have a purely professional mentor-student relationship—"
He scoffed. A cruel, dismissive sound.
"Whether it is or not, I get to decide the narrative. Come back, play the dutiful Mrs. Sanchez, and I'll pretend none of this happened."
His eyes narrowed into slits.
"Otherwise... I don't mind showing you what it really means to have no way out."
He straightened, smoothed his cuffs, and walked out without another word.
A chill settled deep in my bones.
I knew Raymond. He would do exactly what he threatened.
His methods couldn't touch Joseph Mason, but they could easily destroy my reputation. Obliterate any chance I had of starting over. It would be just like my previous life—trapped in a gilded cage until he wore my spirit down to dust.
*No.*
*I will not repeat the mistakes of the past.*
I took a deep breath, forcing the panic down.
Then I dialed the number of the man who had never acknowledged me as his daughter.
The phone rang for what felt like an eternity. Leo Long's voice, when it finally came, sounded weary.
"Who is it?"
"It's me. Bella."
Silence. Heavy. Suffocating.
It stretched so long I thought he'd hung up.
"What do you want?"
"I want to make a deal."
A humorless laugh. "A deal? What could you possibly have to offer me?"
"Five percent equity in the Xia Group."
I heard the hitch in his breathing.
"What do you want in return?"
"Help me leave Raymond Sanchez. Get him to sign the papers. In exchange, I transfer the shares to you."
He let out a derisive snort. "Bella, you're naive. That tiny percentage? I can take it or leave it. Whether you see a dime in dividends depends entirely on my mood. Why should I help you?"
"Because of Evelyn Gilbert."
The words landed like a grenade.
"You know exactly how that mistress drove my mother to her death. Now her daughter is trying to do the same to me."
My grip on the phone tightened until my knuckles went white.
"Leo, my mother is already dead. I have nothing left to lose. And someone with nothing to lose is dangerous."
I let the silence breathe.
"If I go down, I'm taking everyone with me. Before I die, I will let the whole world know the truth about what happened back then."
A loud clatter echoed from the other end—something falling.
I'd hit a nerve.
Years ago, Leo Long had abandoned his wife and daughter for his career, marrying Evelyn Gilbert to climb the social ladder. To maintain his image as a successful, moral entrepreneur, he couldn't afford a scandal.
"How do you want me to handle it?" His voice was tight.
"Make Raymond sign the divorce agreement. Get me the certificate. I know you have the leverage."
"Fine. Give me three days."
Those three days felt like three years.
The restoration work was nearing completion, but my mind was chaos. I made frequent mistakes, my hands betraying what my face wouldn't show.
Joseph noticed. His hand settled gently on my shoulder.
"Bella, if you're in trouble, tell me. I can help."
I shook my head, forcing a smile.
"It's okay, teacher. I can handle it. It's just... I might not be able to work here with you in the future."
His expression hardened with resolve.
"Bella, as long as I'm here, no one can bully you. You do what you need to do—I have the power to shield you from their malice."
His eyes softened.
"If you're willing, I'd like to formally take you under my wing. Let me be your godfather."
The genuine concern in his eyes nearly broke me.
*In the end,* I thought, *there are still good people in this world.*
*There are still people who believe in my innocence.*
I told Joseph everything. Held nothing back.
Immediately, he mobilized the Mason family's resources. Digging. Hunting. Searching for any evidence that could protect me.
The reach of the Mason family in the capital was far beyond anything I had imagined.
In just two days, I held in my hands enough evidence to bury Leo Long, Raymond Sanchez, and their entire corrupt circle.
Before I could decide how to deploy this weapon, a text from Raymond lit up my screen.
*Seven o'clock tonight. I'll be waiting at home. Don't keep me waiting, or you'll bear the consequences.*
Attached was a screenshot—a frame from the humiliating video of me being bullied.
I had known for years that he was cold-blooded.
Seeing it still caused a pang of heartache.
Fortunately, the pain lasted only a second.
Compared to the physical and emotional scars he had inflicted on me, these photos were nothing. They could no longer paralyze me with fear.
In my previous life, I had given everything—even my life—and never received a shred of mercy. Now that I no longer cared about my reputation, these "threats" were useless.
They became fuel.
Just as I steeled myself, Leo Long called.
"The papers are ready. Tonight at seven. Sign the equity transfer, and I'll hand over the divorce certificate."
"Okay."
I hung up and slumped into my chair, physically drained but mentally electric. A strength I had never known surged through my veins.
I replied to Raymond.
*Seven o'clock tonight. Xia Group conference room. I'll be waiting for you.*
*I have a surprise for you.*
