Chapter 1

"Blanche, you need to talk to him, go on now. You were his ex-wife; he's bound to comply with your request."

"Exactly, Blanche. If you hadn't divorced him during that car accident, he wouldn't be out for revenge on the Davis family. So you've got to reach out for his help; we're all counting on that little business to stay afloat."

"Blanche, just listen to your uncle; you need to have a word with Ellen—"

Blanche was hit with an intense headache, massaging her temples, her voice hoarse, "Back when I got divorced, all of you fully supported me. Now that the family business is in trouble, you're throwing all the blame on me?"

Her mother's expression darkened as she softly remarked, "We had no idea he was the heir to the Smith family fortune. If he had mentioned that, we wouldn't have agreed to the divorce!"

"That's right! Blanche, you messed up here. You didn't even know your own man's background. I don't care; you need to fix this immediately. The Davis family's business is going down the drain! At this rate, we might have to sell the house! Your cousin is pregnant! You can't be this selfish!" the aunt from the Davis family yelled.

"Blanche, your aunt isn't wrong, and your brother is about to get engaged. If something goes sideways now, it's gonna mess up his engagement!" Blanche's mother's face turned stern as she said, "I know you want to handle Jason on your own, but—if something goes down in our family, do you really think we can keep Jason's identity under wraps?" 

The moment those words left her mouth, the previously calm and collected look in Blanche's eyes was replaced by a chill. 

No doubt, this was her mother. 

She knew exactly how to threaten her daughter. 

Jason was her son with Ellen. But when they got divorce, Ellen didn't even know she was pregnant. 

Now Jason was over four years old. She survived the toughest times, and there's no way in hell she's going to send her kid back to Ellen at this moment! 

And here's her mother, using her child as leverage. 

Blanche took a slow, deep breath, pushing down the sour feelings bubbling inside her. 

"Fine, I'll go. Is that okay?" Blanche stood up from her chair. 

She scanned her family members with a serious gaze. Then, with resolve, she declared, "I will do my best to sort this out. But if anyone leaks Jason's information, I'll never help you guys in the future." 

With that, she grabbed her bag and left the Davis family home. 

Even after closing the door, she could still hear the mockery from inside: "While others get married for family gain, you're bringing your family a whole lot of trouble." 

Blanche was already used to their cruelty. 

Once she got into the taxi, she appeared calm, but her heart raced a few beats faster, her voice slightly trembling at the end. 

"Driver, take me to the Marriott," Blanche instructed.

Since Ellen arrived in New York City, the media has been buzzing with headlines about her everywhere in the business district.

People can't stop talking about her previous marriage to Blanche, which has become a topic of fascination. 

Reports indicate that Ellen, the heir of New York City's wealthiest family, has been living incognito while searching for true love, marrying the modest Blanche. However, when Ellen was involved in an accident, Blanche ended up falling for a wealthy second-generation heir, betraying Ellen in the process.

As a result, Ellen lost faith in love and returned home to take over the family business. Now, she has come to New York City to invest and simultaneously seek revenge on the Davis family.

This is nothing short of poetic justice.

Blanche has essentially become the poster child for the superficial women of New York City.

As for the divorce from five years ago, Blanche prefers to leave that in the past.

Lost in thought, the car comes to a stop.

Blanche pays the fare, steps out, and approaches the hotel front desk.

"Please call Mr. Ellen in the presidential suite on the top floor and let him know his ex-wife needs to speak with him," Blanche says succinctly.

The receptionist looks at Blanche in shock.

Noticing her gaze, Blanche's expression turns a bit icy, and she gives a cool glance in return.

Flustered, the receptionist quickly lowers her head and makes the call.

After a brief conversation, she hangs up and says, "Miss, Mr. Ellen requests that you head directly to suite 808 on the eighth floor."

Blanche thanks her and heads to the elevator.

As she reaches room 808 and hasn't even opened the door yet, she can hear laughter emanating from within.

Most of the voices sound oddly familiar.

Last night, it seemed like there was a message in the class group chat about a gathering at the Marriott today.

Blanche feels a slight headache coming on.

She suspects that Ellen orchestrated this on purpose.

Originally, she and Ellen were the envy of all as a model couple among her peers. Now, it feels as if he's trying to erase all of those glorious memories.

After all, she has nothing left but pride.

Blanche lets out a bitter laugh.

Her hand reaches for the doorknob when she overhears a snicker from inside.

"What do you think Blanche wants with Ellen, really?"

"She must be wanting him back!"

"Come on, didn't she run off with a rich kid before?"

"Now that she knows Ellen's true identity, she's probably rushing back to him. I mean, we're talking about the Smith family here—no ordinary wealthy family can compare."

"Why on Earth would Ellen take her back?"

"You all are overthinking it. Ellen is already engaged to the heir of the Baker Group. This time, he's back to hold the engagement ceremony. Blanche doesn't mean anything to him."

"Really? The Baker Group? Now that's a match made in heaven."

"The Baker Group is like family to the Smiths. I heard Miss Leslie has been studying abroad and just got appointed as the general manager of the Baker Group upon her return. Sure, Blanche is considered a beauty at our school, but compared to Miss Leslie, she's nothing."

"Blanche actually thinks she can get back together with Ellen? That's just impossible."

Blanche clutched the doorknob tightly, her body shaking uncontrollably.

She bit down hard on her lips and turned to leave.

But she ran straight into a solid, firm embrace.

"What's the matter? Running away isn't really your style, Blanche."

That voice hit her like thunder, exploding in her heart.

No matter how many years passed, she knew she'd never mistake that voice.

As she lifted her gaze, she saw a handsome, refined face.

Ellen.

Her ex-husband with whom she shared a bed for two years.

Ellen.

The father of her son, Jason.

Blanche had imagined countless scenarios for their reunion.

But she never expected their meeting would be this awkward.

"What's the matter? Are you afraid to go in?" Ellen mocked with a smirk. "Miss Blanche, didn't you come here looking for me?"

Blanche's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, casting a blurry shadow under the harsh white lights of the hotel corridor.

She loosened her grip on her lips, calming her breath, raised her eyes, and forced out a bittersweet smile.

"We can discuss this privately later, can't we?"

While she didn't particularly care about the rumors floating around, she certainly had no desire to humiliate herself.

Ellen remained expressionless, but his eyes brimmed with sarcasm and disdain.

"I'm a man with a fiancée. Do you really think it's appropriate for us to meet alone?"

With that, he pushed the door open and stepped into the private room.

As he returned, everyone stopped the conversation they were having.

Of course, some immediately noticed Blanche standing outside the door.

"Whoa, look who it is—the beauty from our school. Blanche, come on in! You're late and you better grab a drink!"

That was Chloe, a roommate who had previously harbored a crush on Ellen.

The classmates began to cheer: "Drink! Drink!"

Chloe personally poured Blanche three glasses of strong wine. She turned to Ellen and said gently, "Mr. Ellen, you won't mind us treating Blanche this way, will you?"

Ellen raised his glass while casually settling into a corner.

Yet, there was always a noble aura about him.

He smirked slightly and chuckled, "If we're punishing the latecomer, don't you think three glasses is a little too lenient?"

Chloe's face lit up with delight, then she quickly added two more glasses, saying, "Then let's make it five!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Blanche typically despised such gatherings. But today, she needed to ask Ellen for help.

After all, Ellen held grudges like a champion.

She stepped forward, raising her glass coldly, and declared, "Alright, I'll drink five glasses of wine."

With that, she lifted the glass and knocked it back in one go.

Five empty glasses were left overturned on the table.

"Wow, I didn't expect Blanche to be this tough. I think five is just not enough; how about we make it ten more?" Chloe jeered suddenly.

"Yeah, who knew Blanche had this hidden talent? Let's do ten more!" the others chimed in.