My Deep Affection Couldn't Match Her Unrestrained Nature

The next day, with Lily off at the hospital, I snuck a bug into a hidden corner of our bedroom before heading to the office.

As soon as I walked in, Jane was there, all worked up. "Mr. Johnson, we've got a serious problem."

I was prepared. "Calm down, let's hear it."

"Our latest shipment's been held up overseas—they're claiming it doesn't meet regulations. I checked everything myself, and there shouldn't be any issues. Mr. Johnson, what do we do now? We've been prepping this for three months, and there's no quick fix. If we don't sort this out, we're looking at triple the penalties." She was almost in tears.

I rubbed my forehead. "Exactly how much are we talking about in penalties?"

"Nearly twenty million. We've got less than five million in reserves…" Jane's voice trembled.

Holy shit!

I took a deep breath and made a call. "Liquidate our inventory, settle the debts, then file for bankruptcy."

"What?"

"You heard me. Sell everything, pay off the debts, and let's go bankrupt. Need me to repeat that?"

With the company teetering, chaos was brewing outside.

As expected, Lily had spies in the company. She rushed over as soon as she got wind of the trouble.

"Ryan, what's this I hear about us going under?" She barged into my office, ditching her usual warmth for confusion and accusation. "Wasn't the company on track? How are we bankrupt all of a sudden?"

I wasn't in the mood to explain. I nodded at Jane, who quickly briefed her on the grim situation.

After getting the lowdown, Lily exploded, "How can this be? I just bragged about a new bag I ordered last night, what will my friends think?"

"This is a nightmare…"

"Ryan, how could you let this happen?"

So the company is sinking, and she's worried about her bag? Had I been blind to who she really was?

Disgusted by her facade slipping, I dismissed her, "Enough. I've poured my heart into this company. Do you think I wanted this? Just go home, let me gather my thoughts."

Lily shot me a complex look and left.

Word of the bankruptcy spread fast in the industry. Calls came flooding in—some sympathetic, others demanding their dues… The true colors of people were showing.

Jane was swamped, but I sat there in an eerie calm.

Chaos on the surface, but I was in control.

That night, using the turmoil as cover, I didn't go home. As expected, Lily couldn't resist it but brought Alex home.

I parked below, connected my phone to the bug, and their voices filled the car.

"I'm so stressed. I thought if we got caught, I'd divorce him and cash in, but now he's bankrupted the company. I haven't even finished paying off that bag."

"Look, babe, that just proves you chose the right guy. Let's divorce him, leave him the kid, and start fresh."

"I can't just hand over my son!"

"Why not?"

"I went through labor for him, I can't just let go…"

"Fine, have it your way."

Anger bubbled inside me, but her words made me pause. So, the kid isn't Alex's either?

I chuckled to myself.

This is getting interesting.