Gifts
1/6
I became a CEO
Chapter 12
I nodded to him.
Cedric hadn’t expected me to agree so readily.
He was overjoyed, sweeping me up in his arms, completely enveloped in happiness.
Cedric put his work at home on hold and flew me to Europe to have a wedding dress custom–made.
This would never have happened in my previous life.
We sunbathed on beaches, kissed under the starlight of polar nights, and woke up to birdsong in the morning, holding each other tight.
We were like any ordinary couple, our brains completely ruled by hormones.
He was immersed in happiness, completely unaware of the unusual situation back home.
Until his assistant called, interrupting this beautiful dream.
Palmer Group had been exposed for alleged organized crime, and the police. had opened an investigation.
Cedric remained unfazed.
He believed that Palmer Group’s roots were too deeply intertwined and complex; as usual, controlling certain people would easily suppress those challenging him.
2/6
Chapter 12
But this time, the opposition was clearly well–prepared.
As soon as one news story was suppressed, another quickly emerged, each more explosive than the last.
Cedric finally began to take it seriously.
He apologetically told me he had to return home immediately to handle the situation.
I comforted him supportively, “I’ll go back with you.”
As soon as Cedric returned to the country, he called a press conference. Palmer Group’s PR team and various marketing companies were already in position, fully prepared to eliminate this crisis.
On the big screen, all the evidence against them was systematically dismantled, and the situation clearly tilted in Palmer Group’s favor.
Looking at Cedric’s confident smile, I suddenly remembered my last meeting with Bethany.
She was like a withered flower, her life seemingly drained away, yet still beautiful.
“I always saw you as a rival and enemy. But I’ve been thinking a lot lately. In both past and present lives, you never seemed to hurt me intentionally. While what I always dreamed of…” She forced a broken smile, “Jeanette, Cedric isn’t a good man, and you can’t control him. I’m sorry for what Jeanette did to you. Leave him while you can.”
The next day, news came that Bethany had committed suicide in detention.
Chapter 12
I looked at Cedric on stage. He seemed to sense my gaze and looked in my direction.
But the spotlights were too bright; he couldn’t see anything.
I slowly smiled and pressed the button in my hand.
The big screen suddenly switched, showing footage from Cedric’s home office.
The entire audience was stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening. Only Cedric’s face changed dramatically.
He jumped to his feet, ordering someone nearby to shut off the projection, but it was too late.
3/6
The video of him ordering his subordinates to eliminate Bethany was already streaming live to thousands of people.
Cedric panicked; this usually calculating man finally lost his composure.
I closed my eyes but felt no relief.
When I saw Cedric again, it was in detention. His condition was strikingly similar to Bethany’s when I last saw her.
He was so intelligent; he must have pieced everything together.
The camera that was originally meant to monitor me had ultimately become irrefutable evidence of his crimes.
But there was no hatred on his face.
4/6
Chapter 12
“Jeanette, I had a dream. In it, we were deeply in love and got married. But somehow, in the end, we hated each other and became enemies.”
He looked up, his eyes confused like a child’s.
“Jeanette, why did this happen?”
I said softly, “Cedric, sometimes dreams are more real than reality.”
He didn’t understand, or perhaps he didn’t want to.
“Did you… ever really love me?”
This time I answered without hesitation, “No.”
I never expected Herbert’s hacking skills to be so good.
Nor did I realize we had already established such an understanding between
- us.
When I proposed divorce, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
We quickly devised this plan. I was responsible for distracting Cedric while Herbert accessed the surveillance footage.
I originally thought Herbert would struggle to succeed given Cedric’s
cautious nature.
So I pretended to give in, accepting his proposal, making him completely let his guard down.
Then, at his moment of greatest triumph, I cast him into the abyss.
5/6
Chapter 12
Those who excel at manipulating others eventually get manipulated. themselves.
“I didn’t expect you to be so reliable,” I said.
Herbert smiled modestly and replied, “It’s all thanks to your help. You’ve always been the one putting in the effort; I wanted to do something for you. too.”
Back at the company, colleagues immediately surrounded us with curious looks.
“Ms. Yates, you’re not getting remarried, are you?”
“Yeah, you and Herbert were so in love before. I always thought there was more to your divorce!”
Sally protested indignantly, “What? Just because a man and woman stand together, they must have romantic entanglements?”
I patted her head appreciatively.
“You’re definitely someone I value.”
Herbert and I are good friends and compatible partners, but not lovers.
We had actually planned to divorce for some time. We both knew there was no love in our marriage; Cedric just gave us the opportunity.
I gently tapped their heads.
“Looks like you all have too much free time lately.”
Chapter 12
Some felt sorry for me, saying I had two chances to become a wealthy man’s wife but apparently didn’t have the luck.
But I disagreed.
What’s so great about being a CEO’s wife? Now I’m the CEO myself!
