"Because of you?"
Leo Li let out a cold laugh, full of scorn.
"Lucas, are you serious? Take a look at yourself. Do you really think you're in the same league as Victor Yang? You're just a useless leech trying to claim someone else's glory. How pathetic."
A spineless man living off a woman, now trying to challenge a powerful heir? Laughable.
"Lucas," Lily Li frowned, her voice tinged with disappointment, "I know you're having a hard time accepting the divorce. But lying like this won't change anything. It only makes you look smaller."
To her, all this bravado was just his way of stalling.
And she had no patience for it.
"I'm not lying. Everything I said is true."
Lucas's tone was calm, his eyes unwavering.
"Lily, let me be honest with you. Fairshine Group's success didn't come out of nowhere—it was me. I used my connections, brought in clients, opened doors, cleared the path. Every obstacle your family faced, I was the one who removed it.
Even the bankruptcy crisis—it was me who handled it.
I never told you because I didn't want to pressure you. But now, you should know who I really am—"
"Shut up!"
Before he could finish, Lily slapped him—hard.
Smack!
The sound cracked through the room.
Lucas staggered slightly, touching his burning cheek in disbelief.
She'd actually hit him.
"Lucas! You may have been lazy before, but at least you weren't shameless. Look at you now—lying in public, trying to take credit from Victor, humiliating yourself just to feel important?
You've become pathetic."
Lily's brows furrowed, her expression full of disappointment.
She'd already tried to end things peacefully.
Why couldn't he just let go with dignity?
"Lily, don't waste your energy," Victor Yang chimed in, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Guys like him crave attention—it's just insecurity masked as pride."
A broke nobody trying to steal his spotlight? How laughable.
"Everything I said was true! Why won't you believe me?"
Lucas frowned, frustration tightening his jaw.
Three years of marriage—and this was the trust she had in him?
"And how exactly am I supposed to believe you?"
Lily snapped.
"Since the day we got married, you've done nothing—no job, no contribution.
And look at Victor—he's from an elite family, he's a leader in the business world.
You really think you compare?"
Lucas's voice trembled, but his words were steady.
"So everything I've done… meant nothing to you?"
He had given her everything—loyalty, support, love.
And in return, she treated him like a burden.
"Lucas, I'm grateful you once saved me. But I've repaid that debt. We're even now."
Lily's voice was cold as ice.
"Even..."
Lucas laughed—soft at first, then bitter.
"Fine. If that's what you want, I'll give it to you.
Just remember—you asked for this. Don't regret it later."
Without hesitation, he signed the divorce papers.
What use is a marriage without trust?
"Lucas, here's the check—eight million. The house and car are yours too."
Lily offered the assets like some form of consolation prize.
"Keep it. I don't need your money."
Lucas tossed the pen aside, turned around, and walked away.
His expression was blank—cold and unreachable.
Watching his thin figure disappear down the hall, Lily felt something stir in her chest.
This was what she'd wanted, right?
Freedom.
So why didn't it feel like a win?
An hour later – Li Family Villa
Lucas was packing the last of his things when the door burst open.
"So, it's true? You and Lily are done?"
Cynthia Zhang, his former mother-in-law, stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, eyes full of contempt.
"It's my fault. Please don't blame Lily."
Lucas forced a smile.
"Of course it's your fault! My daughter's perfect—what could she possibly have done wrong? You must've screwed up somewhere!"
Cynthia snapped, glaring.
"Mom, I—"
"Don't you dare call me that!"
She cut him off, voice sharp as glass.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Look at yourself—useless and pathetic!"
Lucas's face darkened.
"You know what? Save it. Just give me the money, then pack up and get out!"
"Money? What money?"
"Don't play dumb!" Cynthia's voice grew louder.
"I know Lily gave you eight million for the divorce. Hand it over!"
"I didn't take a cent."
Lucas said flatly.
"Liar! Like hell you didn't. You think I'm stupid?"
Her voice was like a siren.
"That's my daughter's money, and I'm not letting you walk out with it!"
"You're not handing it over? Fine. I'll find it myself!"
Cynthia stormed across the room, tearing through drawers, tossing clothes.
Lucas's neatly packed suitcase was shredded in seconds.
Then her eyes landed on a porcelain jar.
She yanked it out, waving it like a prize.
"What's in this? Did you steal from us?!"
"Put that down!"
Lucas's face turned pale.
"That's my mother's ashes!"
"Ha! You expect me to believe that?
You look nervous—it must be something valuable. Let's see what you're really hiding!"
Before Lucas could stop her, Cynthia raised the urn—
and hurled it toward the ground.