Revenge After Betrayed

Chapter.3

Chapter 3

Maria was still sitting on the floor in the same position. For quite a while, her body remained stiff, as if all her strength had drained away. Slowly, she rose and dragged her weary steps toward the bedroom upstairs.

There, she sat on the edge of the bed. Her eyes were fixed on a framed wedding photo with Elio that hung on the wall. Her gaze was empty, yet filled with pain.

The longer she stared, the more her lips curved into a bitter smile. A faint laugh escaped her lips, but tears streamed down her cheeks at the same time. She laughed and cried, tasting a pain so deep it felt unbearable. Her life seemed like a cruel joke.

After venting all her emotions, Maria wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath, then stood and opened the wardrobe. Her hand reached for a suitcase. Her heart screamed to leave, to abandon all this suffering.

But she stopped. Closing her eyes for a moment, she thought. Leaving now would only mean Elio had won—that was what she realized. If she surrendered, all the marital assets and company shares would vanish just like that. Yet she was supposed to receive her rightful share of the company.

Perhaps Elio had forgotten who had truly made that company grow and thrive.

Maria caressed her still-flat stomach, her voice trembling yet filled with resolve.

“It’s all right, we’ll endure a little longer, my child. They want Mommy to give up, but we cannot just walk away. Mommy must prepare everything carefully.”

She straightened her back, as if finding new strength. Maria Smith was not a foolish woman who would run without a fight. She knew she had to resolve this matter completely.

Her eyes now gleamed differently. She was no longer the obedient Maria who foolishly followed Elio and Jenny’s every command. There was a fire within her now—the fire of a woman ready to fight.

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At 6:00 a.m., Maria woke up to the sound of her alarm. She turned to the side and saw the bed still perfectly neat. That meant Elio had not come home. Maria gave a bitter smile, feeling the sting in her heart.

Dragging her weary steps, she headed to the bathroom. Water cascaded over her body, bringing freshness, but also making her tears flow uncontrollably. Elio’s behavior had truly wounded her heart. Three years of endurance, three years of being a good wife—yet this was the end she received.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying to calm herself. This morning she had to leave for the office at 8:00, but Maria would not go there first. She had already scheduled a meeting regarding a major project contract with a very influential company.

Maria had never imagined that Ethan Arthur, the owner himself, would meet her in person to sign this deal.

That morning, Maria dressed beautifully, as if nothing had happened. She changed her clothes, put on light makeup, and drank a glass of special milk for pregnant women. After that, she left for the office.

She still could not believe it. The name Ethan Arthur had only ever reached her ears through business circles—an influential man, nicknamed the “cold king” for his reserved demeanor and the near impossibility of meeting him. Many giant corporations had waited months just for five minutes of his time.

But this morning, she would be meeting the man face-to-face.

Her hands trembled slightly as she organized the contract folder. It felt like a dream. How could someone like Ethan Arthur be willing to spare time for a small company like Elio’s?

This project had been suspended for a long time. Not a single colleague dared to touch it. For them, it was a waste of time. After all, everyone knew Ethan Arthur would never look twice at a small company, especially one so unheard of.

Yet somehow, this time was different.

And because of that difference, the project had landed in Maria’s hands. Many believed she was merely being used as a “formality,” since the result would surely be rejection anyway. But Maria chose to challenge fate.

She drew a deep breath, glanced once more at her reflection in the car window. Her eyes were firm, her lips curved into a faint smile. If today was truly a rare opportunity, she would make sure Ethan Arthur remembered her name. With confident steps, Maria entered the towering building.

Her heart pounded rapidly.

The meeting room was silent. Tall glass walls reflected the morning sunlight, giving the space an air of luxury yet coldness. Maria stepped inside, her heels striking sharply against the marble floor.

Several staff members stood awkwardly. They bowed respectfully as a man entered the room from the opposite door.

His steps were steady. His posture firm, his face expressionless, his sharp eyes piercing as if they could see through anyone who dared to meet his gaze.

Ethan Arthur.

Maria was momentarily speechless. He was far more charismatic than she had ever imagined. Nothing about him was excessive, yet his aura of power was so strong it made her heartbeat race faster.

“Good morning, Mr. Arthur.” Maria tried to keep her voice steady, greeting him with a professional smile.

Ethan gave her a quick glance, his eyes trailing from her face down to the contract folder in her hands. His gaze was cold, but Maria felt as if she were being tested.

“So… you are the one bold enough to propose this collaboration?” His voice was deep and firm, almost without intonation.

Maria straightened her shoulders, hiding her nervousness. “Yes, I am. Maria Smith. And I believe this project will not disappoint you, sir.”

Silence filled the room. Ethan did not respond immediately. He simply stared at Maria—for a long moment—his expression unreadable, as if weighing something. The staff around them even held their breath, waiting for his reaction.

Then, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Ethan’s lips. It was not a friendly smile, but more of a challenging one.

“All right, Miss Maria. Show me… what makes you so certain.”

Maria tightened her grip on the folder. Her heartbeat raced even faster, but beneath it all, her determination grew stronger. For the first time, she felt she was not merely facing a powerful businessman… but a man who could change her life.

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