An Illusion of Love

Maverick had been staying out for days again. I could see updates about him and Emma through her social media posts every day.

He cooked for her, cleaned her place, and even washed her underwear by hand just because she'd injured her hand.

"A gentleman stays away from the kitchen."

"Cooking and doing laundry are women's jobs."

"Ophelia, you're a good wife and mother. You don't need me to handle these household chores."

All the excuses and so-called principles he'd once had with me had suddenly disappeared when it came to Emma. At the end of the day, it was simply the difference between love and indifference.

If this had happened before, my heart would have been torn apart. But now, I felt nothing. I knew that their so-called happiness was nothing but an illusion. It would burst like a bubble with just one prick.

Over the past few days, I had someone investigate Emma's life overseas. The results were quite interesting—she had spent money recklessly, worked as an escort, and had even developed a gambling addiction, racking up millions of dollars in debt.

In three days, I would present all this evidence at the shareholders' meeting, right in front of Maverick.

I was eager to see how he would handle the double blow to both his career and his love life.

…

The day before the shareholders' meeting, a call came in from the wedding planning company. They informed me that they had arranged the wedding photoshoot Maverick and I had previously booked.

I immediately said I wanted to cancel, but they told me that I had to come in person to process the cancellation. So, I drove to the wedding company, only to be met with an unexpected sight.

Emma was in the wedding dress that was supposed to be mine as she took wedding photos with Maverick.

The two of them were posing intimately, following the photographer's instructions to kiss and embrace.

It wasn't until an entire set of photos had been taken that Maverick finally noticed me standing at the door. He instinctively pushed Emma away.

With a soft gasp, she fell to the ground, looking pitiful and frail.

He immediately rushed to scoop her up and carried her to the couch, carefully placing an ice pack on her ankle. Only after making sure she was okay did he turn to me, deliberately putting on a stern expression.

"You were the one throwing a tantrum about canceling the wedding photoshoot. I was just worried you'd regret it, so I had Emma step in for you. You two have similar body types—later, we can just use AI to swap your faces."

A mocking smile curled at my lips. "Oh, so it sounds like I should be thanking Emma, then?"

Hearing the sarcasm in my voice, he scolded, "Ophelia, Emma was just trying to help, and now she's sprained her ankle because of it.

"Instead of being grateful, you're acting all bitter and petty. Do you have no manners? How could someone as kind and understanding as Layla have raised a daughter like you?"

I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. "You have no right to mention my mother!"

Getting slapped in front of so many people undoubtedly crushed his pride. He glared at me with fury written all over his face.

"Ophelia Sinclair! If you don't kneel and apologize to me today, our wedding is off!"

"Maverick, you can no longer threaten me with the wedding. It stopped being effective a long time ago. Even if you don't call it off, I will. Besides, I'll be giving you and Emma a special wedding gift at the shareholders' meeting tomorrow."

As I turned and walked away, his brows knitted tightly together. He knew how much I'd wanted this wedding for my mother's sake.

Seeing that I didn't care anymore made him panic. He immediately reached for his phone to call his assistant, but before he could dial, a soft, delicate hand touched his cheek.

Emma looked up at him, her eyes filled with concern. "How could she hit you so hard? Maverick, Ophelia is nothing but a shrew. She doesn't deserve you."

My phone buzzed repeatedly. It was a series of intimate photos of Maverick and Emma.

I didn't feel anything as I looked at them. Instead, I took screenshots and saved them calmly.

…

At 9:00 am the next morning, I arrived at the company for the shareholders' meeting, only to see that Emma was also sitting among the shareholders.

She smirked at me, looking smug.

It turned out Maverick had transferred 5% of his 30% stake to her.

I glanced at her indifferently. The higher she climbed, the harder she would fall.

Once everyone had arrived, I took out a stock transfer agreement. "I've sold all my shares to Mr. Stanton. From today onward, he is the company's largest shareholder."

Mitchell Stanton was a well-known, rich heir in this city. Last year, he had shown interest in acquiring our company, but Maverick had rejected his offer. So, he had started buying up scattered shares and then set his sights on me—the second-largest shareholder.

Back then, I had been engaged to Maverick, so of course, I had turned him down.

But now, I couldn't wait to sever all ties with Maverick.

Maverick slammed his hand on the table. "I don't agree to this!"

I smiled faintly. "Your agreement isn't required. They were my shares, and I had the right to do whatever I wanted with them."

Then, I reached into my bag and pulled out a thick stack of documents, tossing them in front of him. "Maverick, this is my gift to you and Emma."

His eyes were filled with confusion as he looked at the folder in front of him. Slowly, he reached out to open it.