Chapter 3

• Edward's gaze turned to me, and his voice softened a bit, "Don't bother with the mad dog, let's go upstairs and get our things."
• "You-!"
• Charles and Margaret were so angry that their faces were turning green.
• I pushed Edward's wheelchair and turned to leave, packing up our belongings together.
• I didn't have much stuff, just a few clothes and some professional books.
• I packed my things into a suitcase and got ready to leave with Edward.
• But before leaving, I stopped in the living room.
• "Charles, even though we don't have a legal marriage, shouldn't there be some acknowledgment for what I've done for you, the value I've created for your company, over these three years?"
• I finished, "I demand to split our 'common property' from these three years."
• Upon hearing my words, Charles and Margaret seemed to have heard the funniest joke of the century.
• "Common property?"
• Charles sneered, picked up a document from the table, and threw it down in front of me.
• "Elizabeth, are you still confused?" He said, "Open your eyes wide and take a good look, this is the agreement you signed three years ago."
• I picked up the document, which was labeled "Maintenance Agreement."
• In the agreement, I became a mistress who received fifty thousand a month from him for living expenses, and all the technical patents I developed for Astor Corporation were considered work achievements unrelated to me personally.
• At the bottom, there was my signature.
• But this agreement had obviously been signed by me under false pretenses.
• "For these three years, you've been eating my food, wearing my clothes, living in my house, and I've been giving you fifty thousand dollars as an allowance every month. Those things you did for the company, consider them as payment for your service to me. Now that our relationship is over, you still want a share of my property? Elizabeth, do you deserve it?"
• Each word felt like a loud slap in the face, hitting me hard.
• It turns out he had prepared this trap for me a long time ago.
• Not only did he want to abandon me, but he also wanted to devalue my three years of effort to nothing, completely nailing me to the pillar of shame as a "mistress."
• How vicious.
• Over these three years, I had worked hard, willing to give everything I had for the person I deeply loved. I worked overtime at the company, even to the point where my heart almost stopped beating a few times. The first thing I did after recovering was to go back to the company and work hard again.
• When I got home, I would take care of him diligently after he drank, wiping his body bit by bit, preparing milk for him, changing his sheets that I hand-washed, hoping he could have a good night's sleep.
• At that time, I hadn't cared about whether my efforts would be remembered, all because I loved him.
• If I thought he had only lost love for me, I could accept that result. After all, people's hearts change.
• But I didn't expect this.
• He could be so heartless!
• From the beginning, he only played and used me!
• My hand holding the documents was trembling, and I gritted my teeth and said, "Charles, you are shameless!"
• Margaret proudly linked arms with him, smiling happily, "Elizabeth, do you see your identity clearly now? You are just like a dog raised by Charles. Still dreaming of dividing the property? What a joke!"
• Charles seemed to think that this humiliation was not enough.
• He took out a gold-embossed invitation from his pocket and contemptuously threw it in my face. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Next week, Margaret and I are going to have a grand wedding."
• The corner of the invitation cut across my cheek, leaving a hot and painful mark.
• "At that time, all the celebrities in the country will be present. I have specially reserved a seat for you, and you are welcome to attend."
• He wanted not only to leave me with nothing, but also to completely destroy my spirit, crush my dignity, and step on me in front of everyone, never to let me rise again.
• This was the final mental attack. He thought I would flee like a dog that no one wanted.
• But I bent down, and picked up the invitation from the ground.
• I held the envelope in my hand, admiring it for a moment, a hint of inexplicable light flashed in my eyes, and I smiled and nodded, "Sure, of course. How can I miss such a grand wedding?"
• Edward instantly understood my gaze, also smiled politely at them, and in a low voice said, "Well, Mr. Astor, see you next week."
• With that, I pushed Edward and left the villa with a smile on my face, leaving them in astonishment.
• Charles, since you have treated me so calculatingly, then I must repay you well.
• Your wedding will definitely be a day you will never forget.
• And I will personally give you a big gift.