My love for Jesse had withered years ago—nothing but cold ash. His threats held no power over me.

"Fine," I said, steady. "I won't make things difficult for Joanna. I'll even ensure she's... taken care of."

The moment Jesse's private jet left the tarmac, Joanna unleashed chaos. She purged the executive suite—veteran managers, core team members—all under the guise of "cost-cutting." In reality, she was clearing out anyone who might oppose her, claiming she was merely removing "dead weight."

The ousted employees flocked to me. I played my part perfectly: the helpless, downtrodden wife.

"It was Jesse's direct order," I said, keeping my expression pained. "I'm forbidden from managing company affairs. I may be his wife, but here, I'm still an outsider."

To prove it, I dialed Jesse on speakerphone in front of them.

"Jesse, Joanna is firing the core team. You have to—"

"If she wants to fire them, let her," he cut me off. "We don't need to feed a bunch of idlers. Stop obsessing over Joanna and mind your own business."

Click.

I lowered the phone, meeting their devastated gazes. "You heard him."

Within three days, the brain drain was complete. Panic set in. Minority shareholders began dumping stock. My mother swept in like a hawk—hiring the fired executives at a premium, buying up every available share on my behalf.

Combined with the twenty percent I brought into the marriage ten years ago, the math had shifted.

I was now the majority shareholder.

I had just signed the final custodianship agreement when the office door banged open. Joanna strutted in, Jesse trailing behind.

"Tessa." She sneered. "Pack your things. You've been removed."

I didn't flinch. I looked past her to Jesse. He adjusted his cuffs, expression bored.

"I told you to behave," he said coldly. "But you insisted on provoking Joanna. Consider this a lesson."

Joanna waved a document in my face. "Jesse holds twenty-one percent. You only have twenty. That one percent makes him your master." She turned, snuggling into Jesse's chest. "You promised me this office."

He smirked, stroking her hair. "Who else but you? You got rid of the dead weight. Consider this your reward."

They were so busy congratulating themselves they didn't notice Finn James approaching. The senior secretary's face was stone as he walked toward us, flanked by security.

"President," Finn said.

Jesse glanced at him, annoyed. "What is it? If you're here to beg for Tessa, save your breath."

Finn's professionalism didn't crack. "Young Master." Then he turned to me and bowed. "Madam President, the board members have arrived."

Joanna froze. "Have you gone blind? She's a Matthews, not a Gilbert. How can she be President?"