"Lucy, you've truly trampled on my dignity!" Amora's voice quivered with restrained fury.

She strode swiftly, cutting through the crowd of party guests. Her heels struck the marble floor with sharp echoes, while the music that had once filled the hall fell into sudden silence the moment she reached the center of the podium. All heads turned at once.

"Hey, look! A fat woman wants to join our party," one guest sneered mockingly.

Whispers spread quickly. Disgusted glances swept over Amora's body, as if her very presence were an embarrassment.

Lucy, standing elegantly in her glittering designer dress, curved her lips into a scornful smile. She stepped slowly toward Amora, her gaze brimming with triumph.

"Where is Vicktor?" Amora demanded, her voice cold yet firm.

The atmosphere froze for a heartbeat before someone called out loudly, "Did I hear that right? This woman is looking for your lover, Lucy?"

Small jeers followed.

"Aren't you ashamed? Just look at yourself... like a pig weighing a hundred kilos!"

"I'm sure no CEO would ever be desperate enough to date her. Compared to Lucy, the difference is like heaven and earth!"

Laughter exploded, filling the room. Some covered their noses in mock disgust, others whispered as their eyes darted to her with open disdain.

Amora's face flushed-not with shame, but with rage. Her fists clenched tightly, her teeth grinding. She fixed her gaze directly on Lucy, who stood only a few steps away.

Lucy leaned closer, her voice a venomous whisper. "You should know your place, Amora. Vicktor only pitied you... nothing more."

"Stop toying with me, Lucy!" Amora's voice erupted, startling a few guests into silence. "I didn't come here to be mocked. I came to confront that bastard of a man."

Lucy chuckled softly and patted Amora's shoulder as if belittling her. "Then show me, fat woman. Can you really fight me?"

The party air thickened with tension. All eyes were now fixed on the two women facing off.

Moments later, Vicktor appeared, standing by Lucy's side. He wasn't nervous like the day before, as if his relationship with Lucy was nothing to hide.

His expression was relaxed, his lips curving into a sweet smile that stabbed straight into Amora's heart.

"Hello, Amora. Finally, you've come home," he said gently, as though no sin had ever stained his hands.

When his hand reached out to caress Amora's cheek, she slapped it away with force.

"Don't touch me!" she spat, her voice thick with hatred.

To Amora, Vicktor was repulsive now. Ever since the affair was exposed, she wouldn't even let him brush against her.

"Don't you dare play games with me, Vicktor!" Amora's voice trembled with suppressed rage. "The Shane Group belongs to my family! Not to you!"

The crowd stirred in confusion. The overweight woman before them claimed to own Shane Group-the company they all knew belonged to Vicktor, Lucy's lover.

But Vicktor merely chuckled, his gaze cold and challenging.

"Amora, Shane Group did belong to your family... but that was the past. Now every asset of the company-even your parents' house-belongs to me."

"You bastard!" Amora snapped, her hand flying toward his face to slap away the fire burning inside her.

But Vicktor was faster. He caught her wrist, gripping it tightly.

"What is it? You want to lash out at me? Hit me? Scratch me? Or choke me until my neck snaps?" His voice rose, his eyes narrowing. "One thing you need to remember, Amora: I spent ten years building Shane Group. Without me, your family would've crumbled long ago!"

Amora stared at him in disbelief. Vicktor was ruthless, indifferent to the wounds he inflicted.

"You... you really have no heart, Vicktor!" Her voice shook with anguish. She fought back her tears, refusing to let him-or anyone watching-see her break.

But Vicktor only stepped closer, lowering himself until their faces aligned. "A heart? I threw mine away a long time ago, Amora."

She froze, her body trembling between rage and despair. For the first time, she felt utterly cornered by the man she had once trusted with all her soul. Even her purest love meant nothing to him.

"Enough, Amora. Accept your defeat. You weren't invited to this party. Leave now!" Lucy snapped, unwilling to let her celebration be ruined.

Amora could no longer contain her fury. She lunged toward Lucy, shoving her shoulder with all her might. "This is my house! You're the ones who should leave!" she shouted, her voice quivering with pain.

Lucy staggered back, her eyes widening in shock that Amora dared touch her. "You crazy woman!" Lucy snapped, ready to strike back.

But before she could, Vicktor intervened. He seized Amora's arm, yanking her away from Lucy with brutal force. His face hardened, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Amora! Don't you dare lay a hand on Lucy!" he roared, making the room quake with tension.

Amora froze, stunned by his words. Her body shook, her eyes burning as tears threatened to fall. "You... you're defending her, Vick?" her voice cracked.

"Silence!" Vicktor snapped, then pointed toward the door. "I won't let this argument drag on. Leave this house now, Amora. We're getting a divorce!"

The words sliced into Amora's heart like a blade. All this time, she had tried to hold on, to fight for their marriage. But reality was merciless-her own husband had chosen to defend his mistress before everyone.

The room fell silent. Only Lucy's satisfied smile remained as she savored Amora's ruin.

Amora pulled the ring from her finger and placed it firmly in Vicktor's palm. Her body trembled slightly as she locked eyes with her husband, her voice wavering yet filled with iron resolve.

"Our marriage is over. But remember this, Vick... the universe will not stand idle. My downfall will mark the beginning of yours. I'll make sure you regret this for the rest of your life."

Without waiting for a reply, Amora turned sharply. Her steps echoed fast and heavy as she left her own house, leaving behind a suffocating tension that wrapped around everyone present.

After Amora's departure, the party resumed as if nothing had happened. Glasses clinked, music thumped once more, and the guests' laughter filled the room. Vicktor stood with a blank expression, not even considering chasing after the woman who had stood by him long before he became anyone of importance.

Lucy, who had been sitting sweetly at his side, smiled in satisfaction. Her shame had long vanished, replaced by a swelling sense of triumph. This is the moment. My revenge has finally begun, she thought, gazing at Vicktor with eyes brimming with smug delight.

As the music took over the room again, people gradually began to forget the commotion from earlier. Laughter echoed once more, and the beat grew louder. But the calm didn't last long.

Suddenly, the sound of the large doors creaking open thundered through the hall. A middle-aged woman with piercing eyes stepped inside.

"Turn off the music!" she commanded loudly.

The melody was cut short. Silence fell instantly, thick with tension. Every pair of eyes turned toward the figure standing at the threshold.

"M-Mother...?" Vicktor's voice caught, his shock clear at the sight of Bella Gracelyn, his mother.

Bella's gaze was sharp. "You've lost your mind, Vicktor! Who is that woman?" she demanded, pointing directly at Lucy.

Lucy, who moments ago had felt on top of the world, froze in place. Her heart pounded violently. Bella's penetrating stare seemed to strip away every mask she had ever worn.

"Mother... I can explain," Vicktor said, stepping forward, his voice low, fearful that the party would truly collapse.

"Explain?!" Bella snapped. "Where is Amora, my daughter-in-law?"

Vicktor swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "Mother, I... Amora and I are getting a divorce."

Bella's face flushed crimson, fury boiling inside her chest. She glanced briefly at Lucy, her eyes filled with accusation.

Lucy held her breath, too afraid to make a move.

"Call this party off right now!" Bella's voice boomed. "I want to speak with the two of you!"

Without waiting for a reply, she stormed up the stairs. The hall below descended into chaos; the guests whispered among themselves, too afraid to stir.

Bella stopped in front of Amora's room. She flung the door open, expecting to find her daughter-in-law. But Amora wasn't there.

Her eyes widened when she saw a beautiful little girl lying on the bed.

"Who is this child? Don't tell me... they've...." Bella's words faltered, her mouth agape. Her mind had already drawn its own conclusion-this girl might very well be the child of the woman downstairs with her son.

Not long after the guests had finally left and silence settled over the house, Vicktor and Lucy dared to face Bella. But just as they were about to step into the room, her commanding voice stopped them.

"Stay right where you are!" Bella ordered, her gaze cutting like a knife.

Both froze. Vicktor lowered his head, his face pale, while Lucy's nerves frayed, her heartbeat erratic. Bella approached slowly, her eyes blazing with anger and disappointment.

"I will never allow any woman to destroy my son's marriage!" Bella declared firmly. "So... you should know exactly what you must do."

Lucy clenched her hands. No, this is not the time to give up. The game I've built is almost at its finish line.

"Aunt," Lucy's voice trembled as she tried to soften it. "I love your son, Vicktor. I-"

"I don't want to hear any excuses!" Bella cut her off sharply, her tone slicing through the air.

"But Vicktor and I already have Kelly. She's your granddaughter, Aunt-"

"Nonsense!" Bella barked. "I refuse to acknowledge that little girl as my grandchild!"

The words tore through Lucy's chest. Her heart ached, her face tightened with pain. Yet she refused to give in. With tear-filled eyes, she dropped to her knees, bowing at Bella's feet.

"Aunt, please... accept Kelly and me. I'll do anything, as long as we can stay with Vicktor..."

But her plea only ignited Bella's rage further.

"Lucy!" Bella's voice thundered. "Nothing you do will make me pity you! Take your daughter and leave this house immediately!"

She stomped her foot hard, then grabbed Vicktor's arm, preventing him from interfering.

Lucy froze, her eyes full of desperate hope as she looked at Vicktor. He'll defend me, right? she thought. But reality slapped her cruelly. Vicktor stood motionless, his lips pressed shut, unable to defy his mother.

Slowly, tears streamed down Lucy's face. With a heavy heart, she picked up Kelly and walked out of the house, her steps unsteady.

It felt like karma. After she had managed to drive Amora away, now she herself was suffering the same fate.

Several days passed.

Amora and her mother, Jessica, finally settled into their new home. Simple, far from luxurious, yet it was there that a new spirit began to grow. Amora made a promise to herself-she would rise again.

But that day weighed heavily on her. From morning until late at night, she didn't leave her room. Her eyes stayed fixed on her laptop screen, fingers busy sending job applications to countless companies. Each time she hit "send," her heart hoped for a positive reply. But all that came back were rejection letters without explanation.

"I know this is your doing, Vick..." she muttered bitterly. "You shut down every opportunity, just because you want me destroyed." Her breath quickened, her chest tight with anger and despair.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A message appeared from an unknown number.

[ Mr. Robert Shane's death was no accident. He was deliberately murdered by someone! ]

Amora's eyes widened. Her hands shook as she read the words. "What does this mean? Father... murdered?" She frantically tried to call back, but each attempt returned the same response: The number could not be reached.

"Who are you...?" she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.

A knock at the door startled her. The door creaked open, and Jessica entered carrying a cup of warm coffee. Her gentle smile eased Amora's heart just a little.

"Amora, Mommy made you coffee," Jessica said softly.

"Thank you, Mom," Amora replied, trying to sound calm.

"Any company replies yet?" Jessica asked, hopeful.

"Not yet, Mom..." Amora forced a smile.

Jessica studied her daughter, hesitant. "Do we need Uncle Glenn's help?"

"No!" Amora snapped instantly. "Have you forgotten what he did to Daddy? He's not someone we can count on."

Amora could never forget the past. When Robert's company was on the brink of collapse, and Robert sought help from Glenn-Jessica's only brother-instead of the support he expected, Robert received nothing but humiliation.

The room fell into silence until a sharp smell cut through the air. Thin smoke seeped through the door crack.

"Mom..." Amora gasped. "The house is on fire!"

She immediately pulled Jessica back into the room, their bodies pressed close. Flames spread quickly, devouring every corner, igniting the walls until they blazed.

"Did you forget to turn off the stove?" Amora's voice rasped, her nose already stinging with smoke.

"No, Amora! I swear I didn't light anything!" Jessica clutched her daughter tightly.

The heat grew unbearable, the fire raging mercilessly. Amora shut her eyes, trying to shield her mother, as the red flames drew closer, ready to consume them both.