Reclaiming the Empire

A few days later, the Walsh Group held its anniversary gala, and the venue sat on the top-floor banquet hall of my club.

They specifically requested me to serve.

When I appeared in the banquet hall carrying a tray of drinks, almost everyone recognized me.

Mocking gazes pricked at me like needles.

I kept my eyes forward and tried to minimize my presence.

But they refused to let me off easily.

Brenna held a glass of champagne and deliberately bumped into me.

Red liquid instantly soaked the white shirt over my chest.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." She apologized with her words, but her eyes held no remorse, only provocation.

I gripped the tray tightly and took a deep breath. "It's fine."

I refused to conflict with her on an occasion like this. It offered no benefit to my plans.

I turned to head backstage and change, but she blocked me again. "Dear sister, don't rush off. We haven't seen each other in so long. Let's chat."

She pulled me to the poolside where few people lingered.

The night breeze carried a chill.

"Michelle, do you hate me now?" She swirled her glass and smiled triumphantly. "Let me tell you, this is just the beginning. I'll take back everything you once had, one by one."

I looked at her and suddenly found it amusing. "Brenna, what makes you think those things ever belonged to you?"

Her smile stiffened. "Because I'm the biological daughter of the Walsh family! And you are nothing but an unwanted bastard!"

I could not hold back and slapped her across the face.

The crisp sound rang out sharply in the quiet night.

She clutched her cheek and stared at me in disbelief. "You dared to hit me?"

I sneered. "So what if I hit you? Say that again, and I'll throw you into this pool to feed the fish."

My glare must have terrified her, for she instinctively stepped back.

But soon she composed herself, her eyes turning venomous. "Good. Very good. Michelle, you asked for this."

With that, she suddenly screamed, "Help! Murder!"

At the same time, she fell backward and plunged straight into the pool behind her.

I stood frozen, my mind blank.

I never expected her to frame me with such a clumsy trick.

Almost instantly, Javier rushed over with a group of people.

He saw Brenna struggling in the water, jumped in without a word, and pulled her out.

Brenna clung to him, shivering. "Javier, it was her... she pushed me! She tried to kill me!"

Javier wrapped a towel around Brenna, looked up at me, his gaze cold enough to flay me alive. "Michelle, what do you have to say for yourself?"

I opened my mouth but realized explanation proved pointless.

Would it help?

Would he believe me?

I looked at Javier, the man I once thought would support me for life.

He held another woman and judged me with accusing eyes.

"Lock her in the storage room. No one releases her without my permission." He scooped Brenna into his arms and walked past me.

He did not even spare me another glance.

Two security guards grabbed my arms and dragged me away roughly.

In the cold, dark storage room, I curled up in the corner, shaking all over.

I lost track of time until the door finally opened.

Javier stood in the doorway, backlit so I could not make out his expression.

He approached and looked down at me. "Let's divorce."

I lifted my head and stared at his blurred outline.

Tears finally fell uncontrollably.

After loving him for so many years, this proved the reward. "Let's divorce."

It felt utterly ridiculous.

I wiped away the tears, stood up, and said, "Fine."