Chapter 2The ATM Billionaire

The moment Leo was gone, Ava grabbed a heavy glass ashtray from the table and hurled it at my head.

"John Astor, if anything happens to Leo, I will kill you!"

I stared into her hate-filled eyes, a cold knot tightening in my stomach. This was the woman I had loved for five years. All my devotion, all my sacrifice, meant nothing next to her first love.

Blood trickled down my forehead. Between the blood and the shattered phone on the floor, I felt every last feeling I had for her die.

The agent shakily offered me his phone. "Mr... Mr. Astor, the paparazzi got shots of Miss Chen running out after Mr. Carter. What should we do?"

I glanced at the screen. "What does it have to do with me?"

This time, I wasn't cleaning up her mess.

When I arrived home, I found Ava and her father sitting in my living room.

"John, my boy," her father began, his smile oily. "I heard you and my Ava had a little spat?"

I calmly placed the diamond ring on the coffee table.

"We didn't have a spat," I said. "I'm informing her that the engagement is canceled."

Her father's smile vanished. He staggered back a step. "But… marriage isn't a child's game! Did you see those headlines about Ava? It's all lies! My daughter would never do such a thing."

I looked at Ava with cold contempt. "Your daughter has already found herself a new sugar daddy."

Her father stared at her. "What is he talking about?"

Seeing her silent, I let out another humorless laugh. "Why are you playing mute now? Or should I help you two lovebirds find a way to be together? Your daughter screws her ex-lover in front of her fiancé. Since you're so madly in love, who am I to stand in your way?"

Ava's face darkened with anger. "Is that all you can do, John? Make sarcastic remarks? Who the hell do you think you are?"

Five years ago, she knelt at my feet, desperate to escape her family and make something of herself. I was captivated by the fire in her stubborn eyes. I thought, over time, that my love could soften that fire into warmth. For five years, I lifted her up, building an entire kingdom for her in the entertainment world.

I finally understood. Some people's hearts are made of stone. I had handed her my world on a platter, and in return, she just found new ways to stomp on it.

"Mr. Astor, this was all her doing! It has nothing to do with the Chen family!" her father blurted, just as I knew he would. He knew exactly which side his bread was buttered on. "Please, she's young and foolish. Give her one more chance…"

He wasn't about to give back all the benefits my family had bestowed upon his.

"That's enough, Dad," Ava interrupted, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the bedroom, locking the door. "John, it was one stupid mistake. Was it really necessary to have me crucified online? Are you trying to get me canceled?"

What?

She thought I was the one who leaked the story to the press? The audacity was breathtaking. I had to laugh.

"You created this disaster. What does it have to do with me?"

"Who else would dare post negative stories about me if not for you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "So, you do know that you only have a clean record because of me? Then what are you to me now? Why should I be responsible for cleaning up the messes you make?"

The color drained from her face.

Just then, her phone rang, saving her from having to answer.

"Hello? Leo… what?! I'll be right there!" Her eyes shot to me, filled with a renewed hatred. "Calm down! The only person I've ever wanted to marry is you!"

She hung up, ripped the engagement ring I had given her off her finger, and threw it at my face with all her might. The sharp edge of the diamond sliced across my cheek, leaving a deep, bloody gash.

Her eyes were red with panic. "John, Leo is threatening to jump off a building because of our engagement! If you have any decency left, you'll let him go!"