His Fake Death Gifted Me His Empire

Chapter 2

Back in my room, I didn't hesitate for a single second. I pulled out my suitcase and started packing.

During the three years Dominic had been gone, Hayley's health had been steadily deteriorating, and I had been the one running the affairs of the Fairclough family.

Even if I had to walk out of this estate, I had plenty of places to go. I had no reason to worry about ending up homeless.

So I packed only a few clothes, grabbed my suitcase, and prepared to leave.

However, just as I was about to walk out, Dominic suddenly appeared behind me.

He grabbed my hand forcefully, grabbing my ring finger and shoving the wedding band firmly back where it belonged.

His voice was laced with a harsh menace. "Don't you ever take this off again."

I froze in place, genuinely caught off guard. I hadn't expected him to go out of his way to get it back from Clara.

After all, back when he was involved with Malvina, even when she blatantly stole my major company project, he had simply knit his brows and demanded that I grin and bear it.

Before I could dwell on it, Dominic's glare shifted down to the suitcase in my hand.

His tone instantly turned sharp with displeasure, "Are you really walking out on me?"

I looked him dead in the eye, my voice entirely flat, "It's for the best. After all, staying under the same roof with you brings me nothing but misery."

Dominic's face darkened in an instant, a stormy fury flaring up in his eyes as he glared at me.

Seeing that I remained entirely unfazed by his temper, he snapped his fingers and summoned a group of servants.

"You want to leave? Well, today I’m not letting you go anywhere!" he sneered, pointing at me. "Grab Mrs. Fairclough and drag her down to the servants' quarters. Teach her some proper manners. Starting tomorrow, she works right alongside you!"

When I heard his spiteful declaration, a flicker of emotion finally crossed my eyes.

I lifted my chin, looked Dominic straight in the face, and said, word for word, "I can't stay cooped up at home. I have a company to run."

"Clara will be taking over your position," Dominic interrupted coldly.

"Since being in the same room with me makes you so miserable, you won't ever need to step foot in the company again."

My hands tightened violently around the handle of my suitcase.

Then, the hospital's recent update flashed through my mind. Hayley's will had already been finalized, and she would probably pass away within the next couple of days.

Even if I stepped back from the office for a few days, the entire company would legally be under my control once she passed.

At that thought, the tension in my body melted away.

"Suit yourself," I replied, my expression unreadable.

I gripped my luggage and quietly followed the servants downstairs.

As we crossed the living room, Santino and Clara walked in through the front door, laden with shopping bags.

When Santino saw me trailing submissively behind the house staff with my head bowed, his eyebrows knitted together, and he barked out a command, "Stop right there!"

I paused in surprise. Before I could even react, Santino stormed over, snatched my suitcase, and slammed it full force against me.

His face was twisted with arrogant disdain, "Every single thing in this house belongs to Dad! What right do you have to take anything? Let me warn you—if you don't learn how to behave yourself, Dad and I will leave and never come back to see you again!"

I couldn't dodge in time. The heavy luggage struck my ankle, sending a sharp, tearing agony coursing up my leg.

Yet Santino didn't show even a shred of remorse. The moment he caught sight of a wristwatch tumbling out from the cracked suitcase, he snatched it up without hesitation and handed it over to Clara.

"Clara, my mom bullied you earlier. Take this watch as an apology from me."

"That's mine!"

Seeing the precious heirloom my late parents had left behind being casually handed away, panic and rage surged through me, and I lunged forward to grab it back.

Shoving me back with brutal force, Santino turned around and personally fastened the watch around Clara's wrist as she beamed with triumph.

At that moment, my heart went completely cold.

Forcing myself up despite the throb in my ankle, I stepped forward and landed a resounding slap straight across Santino's face.

Then, ignoring Clara's piercing scream, I grabbed her wrist in an unyielding grip and stripped the heirloom back from her hand.

"I've made myself clear, Santino," I said, looking down at him coldly. "If you don't want to live in this house, you're free to get out anytime you want.

"Since you adore Clara so much, just call her 'Mom.' I couldn't care less."

Silence fell over the room.

Not only Clara, but even Santino—holding his burning cheek—stood there completely stunned.

His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but I refused to give him another second of my attention.

Supported by the servants, I turned my back on them and walked straight into my room.