She Faked a Pregnancy to Steal My Company—So I Took Everything

"This time, I'm going to teach him a real lesson. From now on, everything revolves around me—no exceptions, no questions asked."

"Just play your part when the time comes."

A flicker of cold calculation passed through Ethan's eyes, though he nodded with practiced deference.

When they reached the villa community entrance, Manager Finch was still waiting.

Nora didn't bother getting out. She lowered her window and addressed him coolly. "Good work, Manager Finch. Keep it up. Without my explicit permission, Alex Gilbert is not to set foot in this community again."

Manager Finch's expression shifted—something caught in his throat he couldn't quite say.

Nora didn't notice, but Ethan did.

His face darkened. "Don't tell me you let him in."

"Need I remind you who the actual homeowner is here? Alex Gilbert is nothing but a live-in son-in-law. You want to keep your job, you follow Ms. Simmons's orders."

Nora's gaze turned icy. "What happened?"

Sweat beaded on Manager Finch's forehead. "Miss Simmons, Mr. Gilbert did enter the community. But it wasn't a security lapse—he was invited."

They both froze.

"By whom?" Nora demanded.

Manager Finch hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Your former friend. The Pruitt heiress. She's also a homeowner here. She invited Mr. Gilbert to her residence, and we had no grounds to refuse."

Nora's face went dark.

"Drive," she snapped at Ethan. "To Vivian's house. Now. I want to know exactly what she thinks she's doing."

At that moment, I was having tea at the Pruitt residence.

Harold and Margaret Pruitt had been chatting with me for hours. The way they looked at me grew increasingly peculiar—like parents sizing up a future son-in-law, and liking what they saw more with each passing minute.

That morning, when I'd been stopped at the community gate, Vivian happened to be driving home. The moment she understood the situation, she'd practically dragged me into her car without a word.

Vivian and Nora had been classmates, then best friends. Their families' wealth was comparable, and when Nora's parents died in that car accident, Vivian had stepped up immediately. Without her help, I never could have stabilized Simmons Corp so quickly, no matter how hard I worked.

They really had been inseparable once—the kind of friends who shared everything.

When did it fall apart?

About six months ago.

I'd been buried in two critical transformation projects at Simmons Corp, barely coming up for air. Meanwhile, Ethan had joined the company as Nora's assistant. The chemistry between them became impossible to ignore.

Vivian confronted Nora about it—defending me.

Nora exploded. Accused Vivian of having ulterior motives. Of wanting me for herself.

Just like that, years of friendship ended.

Looking back now, it still felt surreal.

After dinner, Harold and Margaret excused themselves. I moved to leave too, but Vivian stopped me, insisting I stay for tea.

"What's the rush?" She smiled. "Afraid I'll eat you? You just divorced Nora. You've got nowhere to be. Would it kill you to keep me company for a while?"