On the night I decided to divorce, my protégé — a scholarship recipient I’d supported for eight years — was stealing the show at a charity gala, wearing a limited-edition necklace my husband had bought. She sweetly posted on Ins: “He said he has an instinctive attraction to me. Is this what it feels like to be truly adored?” I tapped the ‘like’ button, then casually tossed the divorce papers onto his face. Ethan sneered, “Eleanor, you’re just using that old debt of gratitude to manipulate me. Without me, you won’t last a day in this social circle.” He thought ten years as a stay-at-home wife had turned me into a useless mess. But he had no idea. Like that ungrateful snake, I’d supported three hundred. Now, they were all top professionals in various industries. One word from me, and I could make him lose everything. The lights of the charity gala were dazzling. I stood on the VIP terrace on the second floor, holding a glass of champagne, watching the girl at the center of attention in the grand hall downstairs. Chloe. The scholarship recipient I’d supported for eight years. She was wearing a couture gown, a dazzling sapphire necklace around her neck, smiling innocently for the cameras. That necklace. Ethan Hayes had bid fifty million for it at an auction last month. The news was everywhere, saying Ethan had splashed millions on it to surprise his beloved wife for their tenth wedding anniversary. Now, that surprise was around a twenty-two-year-old girl’s neck. My phone vibrated. Chloe had posted an update. It was a selfie of her wearing the necklace, with the blurry side profile of a man in a suit in the background. “He said he has an instinctive attraction to me. I’ve never been in love before — is instinctive attraction a good thing or a bad thing?” Dozens of comments were already underneath, all teasing her. I stared blankly at the screen, then gently tapped my finger, leaving a comment. “Great. Just like a dog to its own filth — also purely instinctive.” After posting, I drained the champagne from my glass and turned towards the backstage area. Within five minutes, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. Ethan pushed open the lounge door, his face ashen. “Eleanor Vance, what the hell are you doing?” He strode over, slamming his phone onto the table. My comment was right there on the screen. “Chloe is still young, just getting started in the industry. Your comment will be screenshotted and used against her. Do you know this could ruin her?” I leaned back on the sofa, coldly looking at the man I’d loved for ten years. “Ruin her? When she was wearing my husband’s necklace and showing off her affection, why wasn’t she afraid of ruining herself?” Ethan frowned, a flicker of impatience in his eyes. “She borrowed that necklace just to wear. Young girls like to look pretty, it’s just vanity. Do you really have to be so petty about it?” “Besides, you sponsored her. It’s normal for her to be attached to us. I’ve been with you for ten years, I treat her like a sister. What’s wrong with taking care of her a bit more?” A sister? His ‘sister’ with an instinctive attraction? I laughed, exasperated, and pulled a pre-prepared document from my bag, tossing it at his chest. “Since you’re so fond of taking care of her, then you can officially take care of her from now on.” The papers scattered on the floor. The cover clearly read: “Divorce Agreement.”
Ethan froze. He looked down at the documents on the floor, then up at me, as if he’d heard the funniest joke in the world. “Divorce?” He pulled at the corner of his mouth, his voice full of certainty and contempt. “Eleanor, there’s a limit to throwing tantrums. You’ve been married to me for ten years, never worked a day. You probably don’t even know how to ride the subway anymore.” “Who are you kidding? Everyone knows you’re nothing without me.” Looking at his arrogant face, my stomach churned. Ten years ago, Ethan was just a poor kid. My father saw his potential and gave him his first startup capital. When his company was struggling the most, I was there, eating instant noodles with him, pulling all-nighters. Later, when the company grew, he said the world outside was too harsh, and told me to stay home and live comfortably, his ‘lady of leisure.’ I believed him. And what did I get in return? His dismissive line: “You’re nothing without me.” “Ethan, I’ve already signed the papers.” I stood up, smoothing my dress. “My lawyer will contact you tomorrow.” With that, I walked out without hesitation. “Eleanor Vance!” He called out sharply from behind me. “If you walk out that door today, don’t even think about coming back! I’d like to see how you’ll survive without me!” I didn’t stop, only leaving him my back. “Just you wait.” Stepping out of the hotel, the night air was cool. I pulled my shawl tighter and called Martin, my driver. “Martin, bring the car to section C in the underground parking.” He stammered on the other end, “Ms. Vance, uh… the car’s having some trouble. I sent it for repairs. Maybe you could call a taxi?” I frowned. The car was perfectly fine this afternoon — how could it suddenly break down? Just then, a black SUV pulled up in front of me. The door slid open, and Chloe poked her head out, smiling innocently. “Eleanor, can’t find a cab this late? Ethan told me to give you a ride home.” I looked at her, then at the familiar figure in the driver’s seat. Martin. My father’s most trusted driver, who had watched me grow up, was now looking down, avoiding my eyes. I understood instantly. “Martin, what is the meaning of this?” I asked coldly. He rubbed his hands, his voice thin, “Ms. Vance, Ms. Miller said… she said she was going that way anyway, and she helped my son get into that private school…” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. So that’s how it was. Even the people closest to me could be bought by her with such tactics. “No, thanks.” I opened my eyes, my gaze chilling as it swept over Chloe’s triumphant face. “I find it dirty.” With that, I walked to the roadside and hailed a taxi. Through the rearview mirror, I saw Chloe’s smile freeze, and she stomped her foot in frustration.
It was late when I got back to the mansion. I didn’t turn on any lights, going straight upstairs to the walk-in closet to pack. I only took a few changes of clothes and the mementos my parents had left me. The rest — the designer bags, couture gowns, and jewelry Ethan had bought — I didn’t even glance at them. “Well, well, well, trying to run away in the middle of the night?” A sarcastic voice suddenly came from behind me. I turned around to see Chloe leaning against the doorframe, wearing a burgundy silk nightgown, holding a glass of red wine. That nightgown was my mother’s favorite. It was passed down to me. I had cherished it, barely daring to touch it. Now, it was being worn by an ungrateful snake. A surge of pure fury rushed to my head. “Take it off,” I stared at her, saying each word slowly and deliberately. Chloe not only didn’t take it off, but she deliberately puffed out her chest, chuckling smugly. “What’s wrong, Eleanor? Ethan said this dress was just gathering dust, so I could wear it. I think it fits perfectly.” She walked in, high heels clicking, her eyes scanning my suitcase with contempt. “Eleanor, you don’t need to overreact. Ethan said your family only gave him a little money back then, and he’s repaid it all, with interest, over the last ten years.” “He doesn’t love you; he was just repaying a debt. Now that he’s met me, he knows what true love is.” “You’ve hogged him for ten years, shouldn’t you be satisfied?” I looked at her face, twisted by jealousy and triumph, and felt a sudden wave of pity. I walked up to her, and without warning, I raised my hand. Slap! A loud slap landed on her face. Chloe stumbled, the wine glass in her hand falling to the ground and shattering. Red liquid splattered onto the expensive carpet, a stark, alarming stain. “You… you dared to hit me?!” She clutched her face, staring at me in disbelief. “And what if I did?” I looked at her coldly. “This dress is my mother’s heirloom. Who do you think you are to wear it?” “And also, did Ethan not tell you that the startup capital for his company was given by my father? The down payment for this mansion? I paid for it. And the CEO position he now holds? Half the shares are in my name!” “You thought you snagged a trophy husband? Wrong. All you snagged was a dog I raised!” Chloe was stunned by my words, her face turning green then white. Just then, the front door was violently pushed open. Ethan stormed in.
“Eleanor Vance! What are you doing!” He immediately shielded Chloe behind him. Seeing the slap mark on her face, his eyes turned vicious. “You actually dared to hit her?” I sneered, “What, you feel bad for her? Then take her and get out of my house.” “Your house?” Ethan looked as if he’d heard the funniest joke. “Eleanor, are you out of your mind? This mansion is registered under my name!” “Is it?” I zipped up my suitcase, straightening up to face him. “Then you’d better check the purchase contract from back then and see who really paid for it.” Ethan’s face changed. When we bought this house, he had no money at all. I secretly used all my personal savings and investments, unbeknownst to my father, to cover the cost. Even though it was registered in his name, the transaction records were all there. “Eleanor, do you really have to make this so ugly?” He gritted his teeth. “Fine, you can leave, but you’re not taking anything from this house! You’ve lived off me all these years; what right do you have to take anything?” I looked down at the suitcase on the floor. It contained only a few old clothes and my parents’ photos. “Don’t worry, I find the trash you bought disgusting.” I pulled my suitcase, walking out without looking back. As I passed them, I paused and looked at Ethan. “Ethan, remember what you said today. Starting tomorrow, everything the Vance family gave you, I’m taking it all back, piece by piece.” Stepping out of the mansion, the night wind on my face, I felt a clarity I hadn’t felt in years. Ten years. I’d spent ten years of my youth to see a man’s true colors. The cost was high, but thankfully, it wasn’t too late. I pulled out my phone and found the hidden list in my contacts. On the list were three hundred names. Over fifteen years, I had used my private account to continuously support scholarship recipients. Many of them had lost touch, many were still toiling at entry-level jobs. But some had already grown into towering figures. I dialed the first number on the list. After two rings, the call was answered. A deep, steady male voice came through. “Eleanor?” “Liam.” I looked at the flashing neon lights in the distance, my voice calm. “I’m getting divorced.” There was a second of silence on the other end, then the sound of a chair being pushed back. “Where are you? I’ll send someone to pick you up immediately.” “No need. I’ll send you my location. Tomorrow morning at ten, bring your people and meet me.” “Got it.” Liam didn’t ask any unnecessary questions, his response quick and concise. After hanging up, I hailed a taxi and went to a five-star hotel in the city center. After a hot shower, I lay on the large bed, staring at the ceiling. Ethan Hayes, you thought I, Eleanor Vance, was a mere clinging vine that could only depend on you. But you didn’t know that for the past ten years, though I didn’t work outside, I planted an entire forest. Now, it’s time for this forest to overshadow you.
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