"A thousand dollars is more than generous, Jacob. Fits your station perfectly."
Miles sneered again.
"If you won't sign, you won't see a single cent!" Spencer threatened.
Every gaze in the room bore into me—cold, predatory, as if they wanted to tear me apart.
"Dad!" Marlene shot her father a look. "Jacob may not have achieved much, but he put in the work."
Then she turned to me with a sigh. "If you have conditions, name them."
"Forget it."
I let out a cold laugh, signed the divorce papers, and tossed the pen aside. I didn't spare the settlement agreement so much as a glance.
The room went silent with shock.
"Jacob!"
Marlene's voice stopped me. I turned.
She frowned. "You can't seriously go back to that run-down shack. You can't keep growing your own vegetables just to eat. That's no way to live."
"Are you pitying me?"
I raised an eyebrow. Before she could answer, I continued. "I don't need your pity."
"But you? All of you?" My gaze swept the room. "Don't come crying to me later."
The moment the words left my mouth, the entire hall erupted in laughter.
Every Henson in the room mocked me—called me delusional, said I was writing checks my mouth couldn't cash. They boasted that with Miles on their side, the Henson family would only grow stronger.
I didn't say another word. I walked out through the front doors of the Henson estate, their laughter chasing me every step of the way.
Outside, Doreen was leaning against a car, waiting. She shook her head with a sigh. "Marlene really can't tell gold from garbage. Not like me—I've always had a thing for your type."
She reached up and hooked her arms around my neck.
"Did you go over the plan?" I asked, keeping my tone even.
"You're such a block of wood! Zero romance!" Doreen pouted, then let her arms drop. "Fine. We'll do it your way. I'll bring my team in, fold your people into my company, and we'll crush Henson Group completely."
"As for equity, I'll only take ten percent. The rest is yours."
"We announce tonight and cancel the signing ceremony with Henson Group."
I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "The Hensons think they've latched onto you—their mighty oak, their ticket to the top."
"So let's give them their signing ceremony. And on the day of, I'll deliver a surprise they'll never forget."
Doreen blinked. Then a slow, wicked grin spread across her face. "Ruthless. I love it."
Over the next few days, the Hensons threw themselves into preparing for the signing ceremony.
Marlene texted me, urging me to swallow my pride and apologize. She said there might still be a place for me at the company.
I declined without hesitation.
The day of the signing ceremony arrived.
The Hensons had invited every media outlet in the city to witness what they called a historic moment.
"Since we're all gathered on such a wonderful occasion, I'd like to make an announcement of my own." Spencer beamed, pulling Marlene and Miles to his side before the cameras. "From this day forward, Miles Sullivan is officially my son-in-law."
"As for Jacob Gilbert? He knew he wasn't worthy of my daughter and filed for divorce himself."
"Miles has returned from overseas, highly regarded by major international investors!"
Something ugly and underhanded, smoothed over with a few polished words.
Miles, shameless as ever, flashed a charming grin and waved at the press.
Marlene smiled beside him. "I believe in Miles's abilities. With him leading the way, Henson Group will make its mark on the global stage!"
The words had barely settled when car horns blared outside.
"That must be Miss Delgado!"
Marlene and the others rushed to the entrance, lining up in front of the arriving motorcade with their biggest, brightest smiles plastered on.
Then the car door opened.
I stepped out.
Every smile in the Henson family froze. Their eyes went wide—one pair after another, like dominoes falling.
