"If it weren't for me, how would you have the money to get him this special stew?"

My mom did not know what to say, and she looked pretty mad as I finished the stew.

Just then, Janet came down the stairs, sounding worried. "Honey, why did you come down alone? I couldn't find you in the bathroom, and I got so scared."

"You still care about me, huh?" I said.

Janet poked my chest and pouted. "Are you still mad about me being with Elliot? I did it for you, you know."

She blushed and looked at Elliot with shy eyes. "Plus, Elliot's got something special. The doctor said I got pregnant last night. Now you see why I did it, right?"

Thinking about the pregnancy test made me feel sick. I shoved her away and started to gag.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Janet came over fast and wiped my mouth without hesitating.

My heart skipped a beat, but then she kept talking. "Have you been working too hard lately? Please take care of yourself. I don't want to worry about you.

"Just call for a press conference at the company, tell them I'm pregnant with our baby, and let Elliot take over as chairman for a while. He can run things for you."

She sounded like she had rehearsed her words, getting smoother as she spoke.

I opened my eyes wide and realized she felt like a stranger to me then. Ever since we were kids, I was the one who got the short end of the stick next to Elliot. Our parents and friends always preferred him.

I even had to quit school and work so that he could study!

I spent half my life being underestimated, but I worked hard and built my own business empire.

Now, the woman I loved most was trying to push me aside!

Janet noticed I was not responding and looked down, puzzled. Then, she saw the new doctor by my side and quickly pushed him away.

"Honey, why did you get a new doctor? I thought your mom and I were taking care of you?"

However, I could see the disgust in their eyes when they looked at my leg.

"Who's your husband?" I shot back.

I pointed at Elliot. "You were with my brother last night. Be careful with your words."

Janet could not pretend anymore and asked me sharply, "What are you saying?"

I threw the divorce papers on the table. "Sign these. We're getting a divorce."

She stared at me, shocked. "You've lost your mind. I won't sign! All this over last night? I already explained that. Can't you let it go?"

Elliot looked guilty and held her hand, "I'm sorry, Janet. It's my fault. He's mad at me. Don't be mad. He's always been like this. I'll talk to him, and it'll be okay."

Elliot ignored my protests and pushed me into the bedroom.

"Yale, why fight with Janet? I know you're hurting too." He knelt down on one knee, trying too hard to look sincere as he gave me advice.

"Why are you acting? Just say what you mean," I told him.

Elliot gave me a mean look, his voice full of envy, "Yale, you've always been like this, acting so smart it makes me want to throw up!"

He tossed a document at me. "Sign this, and hand over the chairman's seat to me!!"

I just laughed it off. "With the way you think, you're not even close to making me step down."

That made Elliot really mad. His face turned tomato red as he yelled, "You think you're so great, you... You with your crippled legs!"

"Even with crippled legs, I can still outsmart you," I shot back.

At that, Elliot stopped, then started laughing like he just figured something out. He kept hitting my legs as he laughed.

"Oh, you don't know yet? How do you think your legs got like that?"

I clenched my arms tight, holding onto the wheelchair.

Elliot looked pleased as my face went white, and he said every word slowly, "Janet was the one who crashed into you and messed up your legs. I was right there in the car with her.

"What's there to be proud of? You were always inferior to me. Our parents don't love you. Our friends don't love you. Even your girlfriend can be turned against you with a snap of my fingers.

"You're going to live in my shadow forever. Do you really think you deserve love?"

That made me so mad.

I actually got up from my wheelchair, tackled Elliot to the ground, and punched him hard in the face. I did not stop punching, my eyes burning with anger.

Elliot was too scared to hit back and just cried out loud. Soon enough, people started to show up.

"Yale! Are you out of your mind?"

Janet ran up and pushed me off.

Mom and Dad rushed to hug Elliot, crying and scolding me when they saw his bruised face.

"You monster! To raise a hand against your own brother… I should never have brought you into this world!"

"You're heartless and cruel! Your brother has been nothing but kind to you, and you repay him with betrayal!"

Elliot's eyes brimmed with tears, and he looked at me with fear.

"Yale, I just wanted to ease your burden. That's why I suggested you sign the papers to step down. I didn't expect gratitude, but accusing me of plotting your death… That's too much!"

No sooner had he spoken than Janet stormed over and slapped me across the face so hard it swelled up instantly. The corner of my mouth split, and blood trickled down.

Janet's eyes were icy and deadly, her voice without a hint of warmth. "The press conference will go on, with or without your consent. Elliot is going to be the chairman.

"He's better than you in every way. He deserves the chairmanship. If you cause any more trouble out of jealousy, don't expect me to be kind!"

With those words, she summoned the bodyguards, forced my thumb onto the transfer document, and left me alone in the villa to think about what I had done.

The family rushed Elliot to the hospital, with Janet pulling strings to get him VIP treatment.

I lay crumpled on the ground, each breath a stab of pain. That slap had shattered any last affection I had for her.

Wincing, I pulled out my phone and called Yvette.

…

That evening, Janet wasted no time in holding a press conference to cement Elliot's new status. By the time I got there, she had already announced the change in leadership of the Charlton Group.

The reporters swarmed me, their taunts sharp.

"Yale Charlton, were you always thinking of turning against your own brother?"

"Mr. Charlton, without you, we wouldn't have known that your brother is the true builder of your business empire. You turned on him and took over the company. What you did has come back to haunt you. Even your wife can't stand your evil deeds."

"How can you show your face here? Charlton Group is under new management, you good-for-nothing. Serves you right for that car crash."

Elliot swaggered up to me, his arm around Janet's slim waist. "Yale, Charlton Group's mine now. You don't belong here, do you?"

Janet gave me a cold look and said icily, "Stop dreaming about taking the company from Elliot. You're just a cripple who can't handle big jobs. Stick close to Elliot, and maybe you'll have some good days ahead."

She was startled by the coldness in my eyes, but then her voice softened. "Honey, just be good. I'm pregnant now, and as long as you behave, I won't leave you out in the cold."

I felt contempt at her words.

I turned my wheelchair and pulled forward a pair of delicate hands.

"You're wrong. This lady is the new chairwoman of Charlton Group!"