Barely holding myself together as I walked out of the hospital, I received yet another anonymous email containing only a phone number.

I neither replied nor dialed the number.

I didn't have much time and had to gather further proof of Erik's cheating on me.

With that, I would have the confidence to confront him.

I didn't recklessly inquire with people from the Hayes Group. Instead, I sought out a private investigator who was good at handling extramarital affairs. I asked him to delve into Erik's activities and whereabouts over the past three years.

Soon, the detective discovered that for the last three years, Erik had been making regular payments labeled as clothing expenses under the guise of business needs to a street clothing store. The phone number of the boss was Mia's.

The detective and I followed the trail to scrutinize Mia's Instagram account and uncovered everything about her.

She shared her passion for food, music, and travel experiences on her Instagram.

To ensure we didn't miss any critical information, we scrolled through her earliest posts.

Most of them were everyday updates. Two years ago, there was a series of beach vacation photos in the Maldives. I felt my fingertips icy cold at the sight of them.

The guy in the photos was always turned away from the camera, but he wore a custom suit with the initials "EH" embroidered on the lining. It was a design I had personally crafted for Erik, one of a kind in the world.

So they had been together for quite some time.

This revelation sent a shiver through me.

Two years ago, Erik had told me that he attended an industry summit in the Maldives and asked me to stay at the company to manage urgent projects.

I pulled several all-nighters to meet deadlines. I sent him several messages but received no response from him. When he returned, he casually told me it was because of the poor signal reception.

But now it was clear that he didn't respond to me not due to signal issues.

He simply had no time for me.

While I was working hard to support his career at the company, he was enjoying a romantic getaway with Mia in Maldives.

The souvenir he brought back for me was something Mia had left behind?

Did he still carry the scent of her perfume when he held me?

The thought made me clench my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. The sharp pain kept me grounded in reality.

While I poured my heart into supporting Erik, he had already betrayed me.

Their happiness was built upon my suffering. They were so despicable.

And me?

What did that make me?

Was I a mere stepping stone for Erik's ambitions or a facade to hide his deceit?

My heart was consumed by overwhelming hatred. In that moment, I only had one thought in my mind. I would have them pay the price.

I compelled myself to stay composed and meticulously compared Erik's schedule with Mia's updates on her posts.

It became clear that every one of Erik's business trips, overtime claims, and client meetings was just a cover for him to spend time with Mia.

Two and a half years ago, his "overtime locations" frequently coincided with Mia's Instagram locations. I even found records of them staying at the same hotel for three consecutive days.

They must have started cheating on me back then.

Truly disgusting they were!

I hated myself for trusting them before. As I found more evidence of Erik's affair, my fingers trembled with rage. But I persisted in taking screenshots and backing them up.

I meticulously categorized all evidence involving Erik, including the photos, the videos, the chat records, and even the voice recording when Mia complained about Erik's reluctance to divorce.

These would be the blades to bring Erik to fall.

I compiled all the evidence into documents and backed them up multiple times.

They enjoyed sneaking around for thrills, so I would expose their sordid affair to everyone in the entire industry, leaving them nowhere to hide!

I had made up my mind to tear down their facade thoroughly!

After finishing everything, I logged into my email and replied to the anonymous message. "Who are you? Can we talk?"

There was no immediate response from the one who sent me the email. I didn't dial the number I received from the anonymous email.

Instead, I called a number I hadn't saved for three years. It was Javier Lewis's. He was Erik's enemy.

Erik had personally sent Javier to jail years ago.

After his release, Javier had reformed. He launched a tech company that quickly rose to prominence and often competed directly against Erik in bids.

I could vividly picture him. He stood nearly six feet three, with broad shoulders and sun-kissed skin. He reflected a healthy glow, exuding a powerful masculine aura.

He never hid his sharp aura. With a perfect blend of wildness and maturity, he looked highly aggressive.

The animosity between Javier and Erik ran deep, and Javier had long sought the opportunity to topple Erik. I happened to possess exactly what Javier needed.

I didn't fall for Erik at first sight. Nor was our relationship filled with romantic elements.

When Erik faced technical challenges in the early days of his startup, he came to me through mutual friends and tried to persuade me to join him.

I had no interest in his business back then. I decided to join him after we started dating.

The core algorithm patent I developed for Erik's company became its lifeline and the key that helped him have a foothold in the industry.

The patent was still under my name, licensed to Erik's company for free use. Erik had urged me multiple times to transfer it since we got married.

I intended to gift it to him as a third-anniversary present, so I didn't do as he had said.

I had planned to transfer it to him after the IVF treatment that day, as a surprise.

But now, I learned about his affair.

Of course, I would gift it to another guy.

It would cripple Erik's company and be a devastating blow to him after he lost the core patent.

It would make Javier's company grow better.

I wanted to see Erik bankrupt and taste the despair of falling from grace!

The call was quickly answered. I said calmly, "This is Doreen Morgan. I have something to discuss with you. Let's meet."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before Javier's magnetic voice replied, "Half an hour later, at the café downstairs from your place."

Then he decisively hung up the phone.

At the café, I met Javier for the first time.

He was as formidable as others said. The sleeves of his black shirt were casually rolled up and revealed scars on his wrist. His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, exuding an intense pressure.

He was even more intimidating than in the photos. After sitting down, he locked his eyes on me and got straight to the point. "Miss Morgan, what brings you here?"

I stared into his eyes and asked him word by word, "You're the one who sent me the anonymous email, aren't you? What's your intention?"

Javier raised an eyebrow. "You are such a smart woman."

I had guessed correctly. Javier had sent me the anonymous email!

It couldn't have been a coincidence for him to send it just before my wedding anniversary.

Did he know all along that I held the core patent?

I pondered for a long moment, and Javier broke the awkward silence. "How do you feel now after you learned Erik cheated on you?"

He watched me with interest and was indifferent to my current mood.

Under the table, my hands clenched tightly, but I maintained a calm exterior. "I am very grateful for your email."

I meant it. That email saved me just in time.

Without it, I might still be lost in Erik's web of illusions.

I took out the prepared patent transfer agreement from my briefcase.

Javier glanced over it disinterestedly, but his gaze sharpened as he noticed the patent number and transfer statement.

His previously nonchalant demeanor shifted as he quickly reviewed all the terms. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and asked, "Are you sure?"

He looked at me intently. "This is your foundation. "

I nodded.

This patent had once been the culmination of my hard work and emotions. I had intended to gift it to Erik. But it was the most ironic thing now.

I wanted to cut ties with Erik completely. So using it to destroy his career seemed like achieving two goals at once.

A gleam flashed in Javier's eyes. "I'll accept it. But the price you're asking is too low. I'll give you thirty percent more."

I looked at Javier in surprise. "That's much higher than the patent's valuation."

As I spoke, my phone received a notification of the transaction.

He said with a faint smile, "I appreciate a decisive ally."

Was it my imagination? His gaze felt a bit intense when it was on me.

I nodded to him and then was about to leave.

Just as I stood up, he stopped me. "As a gift from me for our partnership, here's some news for you."

I paused.

Javier leaned slightly forward and lowered his voice. "Mia has a fiancé. They've been engaged for a year."

My heart sank at that unexpected revelation.

Javier seemed pleased with my reaction and slid a note towards me. "This is her fiancé's contact information. By the way, he's a vice president at one of my tech companies. His name is Kieran Dawson. He is outstanding and...rather particular, especially when it comes to deceit."

Kieran?

I was stunned. I had heard of a young executive in the industry known for his strict adherence to rules. So, it was him.

"Are you sure about your news?" I asked.

"Absolutely." Javier leaned back in his chair. "How you use it is up to you."

Leaving the café, I immediately called Kieran. A slightly aloof male voice answered the phone. "Who's that?"

I briefly explained my identity and my purpose. Kieran was silent for a short moment on the phone.

"Miss Morgan." Kieran's voice sounded emotionless. "It's hard to believe such dramatic accusations based on your word."

I understood his caution.

Without solid evidence, I couldn't convince him easily.

I added him as a contact and sent over most of the evidence I'd gathered, including the video of Erik and Mia having sex.

The chat window remained silent for a long time.

I feared he might confront Mia and Erik immediately, which would be too easy on them.

I wanted to ruin Erik when he and she were at their most triumphant.

Only then would they truly suffer!

The chat remained quiet for even longer.

I could imagine him verifying the facts.

I messaged Kieran. "Mr. Dowson, keep your cool. I understand how you feel. But confronting them now would be too lenient for them. Would you consider working with me?"

Kieran replied almost immediately. "What do you have in mind?"

I typed with a smile. "In three days, it's my wedding anniversary with Erik. Erik will formally take over the Hayes Group on the same day. Mia will attend as the host, likely overshadowing me. Mr. Dawson, my suggestion is, since they love flaunting their romance publicly, why don't we help them make it truly memorable?"

Kieran seemed intrigued. "Okay. I will work with you."

I smirked and began discussing the details and precautions for the banquet with him.

A plan to expose the true nature of Erik and Mia in front of everyone gradually took shape.

I couldn't wait for the banquet.

After ending my conversation with Kieran, I reviewed the evidence chain again. Then I crafted it into a visually compelling electronic document. I would share it with every attendee at the gathering.

Once I finished everything, Erik finally called me. "Noreen, have you revised the speech for the banquet? Send it to me now. I don't want to embarrass myself with a slip of the tongue."

I looked at his message with derision. Didn't he want to embarrass himself?

He'd truly embarrass him in three days.

Suppressing my cold anger, I replied calmly, "I'll send the script to you this afternoon. I've arranged a little twist for the interactive part. You'll see."

Erik seemed pleased. He said with a laugh, "You're always so considerate. Let's celebrate together after the banquet."

If I hadn't discovered Erik's true face, I might still think he was the perfect husband.

I replied noncommittally and hung up.

Erik seemed smug about his arrangements for the anniversary banquet. He even posted in the industry chat group. "Doreen and I have been married for three years, and we are still in deep love. I look forward to sharing this celebration with her."

I commented below. "I won't let you down."

Three days later, at the anniversary banquet, the venue was filled with elegantly dressed guests.

I arrived early and spotted Mia among the crowd.

She wore a striking white fitted gown with a small white veil, mingling with guests as the host. She occasionally whispered to Erik with undisguised intimacy.

And Erik responded to her patiently. Anyone unaware might think they were the main attraction.

I grabbed the microphone and strode onto the stage.

As Erik looked at me in confusion, I smiled and said, "Everyone, thank you for joining us for our third wedding anniversary. I have a special gift for you."

As my words fell, everyone's phones received a file. It was about the infidelity records of Erik and Mia.

I continued, "On this special day, besides celebrating our love, I thought it fitting to share an extraordinary story of romance."

As the file name appeared, Erik's expression turned dark instantly. He realized something and rushed to the stage, trying to stop me. "Doreen, are you out of your mind? Do you know how important it is to me today?"

Listening to his questioning, I smirked.

Of course, I knew it.

That was precisely why I gave him this gift!

Simultaneously, the large screen behind me lit up.

The screen should have played our cherished moments. But it displayed the intimate video of Erik and Mia.

Their faces were unmistakably clear on the screen, and everyone in the room could see them clearly.

Erik's face drained of color, and Mia's cue card fell to the floor as she turned pale.

Instantly, the room fell into a dead silence.

Only the intimate sounds echoed from the screen...

The room was filled with murmurs of disbelief. The guests were all shocked.

The paparazzi were eager for the scandal. They couldn't stop their cameras from flashing as they captured every explosive moment with excitement.

Erik looked at me in disbelief.

Our eyes met, and his were filled with panic.

He rushed towards the stage and grabbed me. But my friends held him back.

He shouted, losing control, "Noreen, are you crazy? What good does this do for you? Turn off the video now!"

In fact, I wanted to do that.

I just want to embarrass Erik.

I ignored him and turned to face the guests below. I said frankly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry you have to witness such disgraceful scenes, but I can no longer tolerate betrayal."

I paused deliberately and looked at Erik's livid face before continuing slowly, "Erik and I were married for three years, and he's been cheating on me for two and a half. Every time he told me to work late, he was actually with Mia... You can find all the evidence of his betrayal in the files on your phones."

As soon as I finished speaking, murmurs erupted from the audience.

Some couldn't wait to open the files. Soon, they gasped in disbelief.

"Oh, my God, there really is evidence! This is disgusting!"

"So all of Erik's supposed deep love for Doreen was just an act? He actually cheated for two and a half years after he got married. What a performance!"

"Look at those chat records. They were truly audacious and completely disregarded Doreen!"

Erik's parents were seated at the main table. They looked utterly unsightly.

The Hayes family had always valued their reputation. As I was publicly exposing Erik's scandal in front of all their friends, their business partners, and the media, they felt so embarrassed.

Erik's mother, Ellen Hayes, abruptly stood up. Her high heels clicked as she quickly made her way to the stage.

She yelled at me, "Noreen, Erik married you, an ordinary woman. You should be grateful. Why are you making a fuss here? He doesn't like you merely because you don't know how to please him! Get down from there and stop making a joke of our Hayes family!"

Her twisted words ignited the long-buried anger within me.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" I turned to the crowd and raised my voice. "Mrs. Hayes, he flaunted his affair with Mia in matching outfits on our wedding anniversary. I'm an ordinary woman, so I am unworthy of him? Yet you condone your husband keeping a mistress and illegitimate children? So do you think you are a good mother?"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Ellen shrieked and raised her hand to slap me.

But I caught her wrist firmly.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Their eyes darted between Erik and Mia as they seemed to realize something.

"Are you trying to hit me?" I whispered in her ear, "Shall I talk about your husband's illegitimate son and how much educational funds are being secretly diverted each year?"

Ellen's pupils shrank sharply. All her strength seemed to have been drained, and she stumbled back a few steps.

At that moment, Mia rushed to support her and anxiously looked at me. "Noreen, how could you treat Mrs. Hayes like this? She's still Erik's mother. Even if Erik and I did something bad to you, it has nothing to do with her. Please don't take it out on her."

What a considerate person who pretended to be innocent and virtuous!

I raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Miss Dixon, now you know how to respect and have good manners? What was on your mind when you climbed into the bed of a married man?"

Mia bit her lip and looked tearfully at Erik. "Erik... are you just going to let her insult me like this?"

Erik was already driven mad by my revelations. He was further enraged by Mia's tear-streaked face.

He pushed aside those blocking him and stormed up to me. He pointed a finger in my face and yelled, "Noreen, don't go too far. Mia is innocent! If it weren't for your barren womb, would I need to find another woman? Which man doesn't want his own baby?"

His words were like a thunderclap, sending the room into an uproar.

Everyone turned to me. Their gaze was filled with curiosity, sympathy, and a hint of mockery.

I stood frozen. Erik thought he had struck a nerve and grew more smug. "It's your own inability to conceive, yet you blame me? Noreen, what right do you have to make a scene here?"

I burst into laughter and seemed to have heard the greatest joke.

"Erik, you're quite the blame-shifter." I looked at him coldly and said, "Are you saying I can't conceive? Isn't it actually because you are impotent?"

I paused intentionally and gave the crowd time to digest. Then I continued, "I can't fathom how you muster the courage to cheat on me when you can't even last ten minutes without the help of Viagra. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Erik, you should get treated instead of finding validation by cheating."

The room exploded instantly!

The reporters swarmed Erik, and flashbulbs popped like daylight.

"Mr. Hayes, is it true that you've been buying Viagra?"

"Are you cheating to compensate for physiological issues?"

"Mr. Hayes, are you accusing Miss Morgan of infertility to cover your own condition?"

Erik squinted against the flash and yelled for them to move. But he was ignored.

"Mrs. Hayes, is it true that your husband has an illegitimate son?"

"Miss Morgan, did you know about Mr. Hayes's condition long ago?" Why are you with him?"

"As Erik's mistress, do you have anything to say to Mrs. Hayes?"

...

Erik's parents were surrounded by the reporters and shielded their faces with their hands.

Mia covered her face and crouched in despair. She muttered, "Stop filming..." But the shutters only clicked faster.

I watched their predicament, and the anger in my chest finally vented.

I remembered something and turned back to Erik. "Erik, you're cheating on me. I'll draft the divorce papers and send them to you. Please sign them quickly. Also, I need compensation for my emotional distress. You'd better transfer the substantial amount to my account within 48 hours. It is three hundred million in total. If you don't do that, I'll post the video of you lasting less than ten minutes online so everyone can see it."

Erik's fists clenched, but I leaned in and whispered, "You wouldn't want others to know you are actually weak, right?"

Veins bulged on Erik's forehead, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree. "Fine."

I was pleased and picked up the microphone again. I signaled for quiet.

Everyone stopped, and their eyes shone with anticipation as they waited for me to speak more.

I didn't disappoint them. I cleared my throat and said, "Everyone, please stay quiet. The real show is yet to come. The gift you just saw was merely an appetizer."

I scanned the crowd and said, "The second grand gift I've prepared for Erik and his secretary is about to make its debut."