Chapter 3Sunlight and Secrets in Maldives

Hearing Sophie’s words, Elena’s brow furrowed again, but this time she shot me a look filled with blame.

My gaze swept past her, past Adrian, and landed on the sycophants who had cursed my daughter and me with such venom. I looked at them, one by one, and began to speak, my voice calm and clear.

“The Peterson family, aluminum alloys. The Clark family, concrete supply. The Miller family, organic food processing…”

As I named them, their smug expressions faltered, replaced by stunned confusion. I was right about every single one. Apex Holdings had its hands in countless industries, and all of them relied on my company to survive.

“As of today,” I announced, my voice ringing with authority, “Apex Holdings is terminating all contracts with your businesses.”

They stared, first in disbelief, then they burst out laughing, turning to Elena.

“Look at this guy! He’s completely lost it. First, he claims to be your husband, and now he’s pretending he can sever our contracts on behalf of Apex.”

“Who the hell do you think you are? Ms. Sterling hasn’t said a word! Call a damn ambulance; this guy needs a psych ward!”

Elena’s expression darkened, her face a thundercloud. She stepped closer, hissing under her breath.

“Ethan, my position at Apex is secure. What do you think you can possibly do? Do you really think anyone still listens to you? Get out of here. Now.”

I gave her a long, meaningful look but didn't answer. Instead, I turned back to the laughing crowd and to Adrian.

“There’s one thing you all seem to have misunderstood. It’s true that Elena is the General Manager of Apex Holdings. But I am the one who calls the shots.”

Adrian stared, then let out a teary-eyed laugh. “He really is insane.”

“I’ve been working at Apex for a while now,” he declared, puffing out his chest. “My wife is the GM! I’ve never seen this lunatic before in my life. He probably doesn’t even know which way the front doors of the building face!”

I simply smiled. My people were almost here.

Adrian’s security clearance only got him as high as the 10th floor. He’d never set foot on the 35th, where my office was.

The crowd roared with laughter, all except Elena. The look she gave me now was pure venom.

I knew why. She was terrified.

Suddenly, Sophie’s phone rang. She answered it, and a strangled scream tore from her throat.

On speaker, a distorted voice snarled, “You little trash, learning to be a gold-digger from your deadbeat dad. So shameless…”

I snatched the phone and hung up, realizing with a jolt that someone had posted today’s events online. And they hadn't just posted it—they had twisted the story, smearing me and my daughter with vicious lies, even doxxing her by publishing her phone number and school information.

My eyes shot to Adrian. He was smirking at me, his expression a mask of pure malice. He mouthed the words:

“A little gift. Do you like it?”

Sophie was trembling uncontrollably as her phone lit up again and again with hateful calls and notifications. The parents who were so eager to impress Elena now closed in on us, a tight circle of hate, their words like daggers.

“See? The public knows the truth! You two belong in the gutter!”

“Impersonating an Apex executive? Get ready to be sued into bankruptcy! Apex’s legal department is legendary. You won’t even have a house left to cry in!”

Someone sneered, “Oh, I’m sure he’ll find somewhere to cry. A pretty boy like him can always find some rich old lady’s bed to crawl into!”

Just then, two sleek, black Escalades roared to a stop at the school entrance. Someone with a sharp eye yelled out.

“That’s the Apex Holdings logo! The executives are here!”

The sycophants preened, puffing their chests out as if they shared in the glory. They advanced on me and Sophie, their mouths twisting into cruel smiles.

“It’s over for you two now! Ms. Sterling wasn’t just making empty threats. This is the real deal! You’re going to lose everything!”

One man held up his phone, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light as he live-streamed.

“Hey everyone, it’s the follow-up to the viral story about the gold-digging loser versus the CEO! Hit that follow button; you’re not going to want to miss this! Watch a titan of industry absolutely destroy this pathetic nobody!”

Adrian shot Elena a look of adoration, his face glowing with a mixture of surprise and delight. When he looked back at me, his arrogance was boundless. His son, Dylan, stood beside him, chin held high in triumph.