My husband transferred the deed of a multi-million dollar mansion to his intern, Amber Thorne.
Amber flaunted the property deed on SnapChat:
"So grateful for my amazing CEO's care! This little pup finally has a place to call home in NYC. ❤️"
The sophisticated oil paintings in the room were replaced with cheap, cutesy landscape prints.
I immediately called Leo Sterling.
"Explain this. How did my mansion become someone else's?"
Leo's nonchalant voice came through the phone:
"Amber doesn't have a place in NYC. We have so many houses; we won't miss this one."
"You have ten minutes to transfer the property back and restore everything to how it was!"
Leo hung up and didn't reply.
Three minutes later, Sterling Enterprises' partners all withdrew their investments.
If he wasn't willing to fix the problem, I wouldn't mind destroying Sterling Enterprises!
1
Leo still hadn't contacted me, but Grandpa Sterling called first.
"Aurora, did that brat Leo upset you? Don't you worry, my family has six other eligible grandsons. If he's being an idiot, just pick another! But please, don't take it out on Sterling Enterprises!"
I sneered, "Grandpa Sterling, your grandson gave my mansion to a manipulative intern. Would you tolerate that?"
A few seconds of silence, then a gritted voice:
"That ignorant idiot! Aurora, don't worry, I'll make him return the house right away."
Soon, Leo burst into the office.
"Aurora Blackwood, have you lost your mind? For a damn mansion, you actually contacted Grandpa and tried to replace me as the heir to this company!"
"When did you become so vicious?!"
So that's how he saw me.
I gazed out at the rainy window, a chill spreading from my fingertips to my heart.
"That mansion was bought with our joint marital assets. Without my permission, you had no right to give it to anyone else."
"Leo Sterling, transfer the property back immediately, and that includes all my paintings. Not one can be missing."
"Otherwise, Sterling Enterprises will lose much, much more!"
Leo fell silent. He knew I always kept my word.
If he didn't do as I said today, I would truly cut off all of Sterling Enterprises' partnerships.
Finally, he sighed helplessly, "Fine, I promise."
Then he pressed his lips together, his eyes burning as he looked at me.
This was his usual trick. Every time he made a mistake, he'd put on this expression.
In the past, whenever he looked like that, I would always rush into his arms and hug him tight.
But now, I simply instructed my assistant to show him out.
As a married man, if he couldn't even maintain the most basic boundaries, I had no reason to indulge him.
Soon, the property deed was changed back and returned.
I smashed his favorite antique vase and sent him a picture of the broken pieces on the floor.
"Leo Sterling, you know my temper. Don't let it happen again!"
He didn't reply. I knew he was angry.
But he was the one who crossed the line; he couldn't blame me.
2
The next day, right after the board meeting, I received a call from the project director.
"Ms. Blackwood, something's come up with the Northbrook project!"
When I arrived on site, I found out that Amber Thorne had offended Commissioner Davies with her rude remarks.
This project, a city council initiative, was a joint venture between Blackwood Corp and Sterling Enterprises.
How could Leo entrust such a crucial meeting to an inexperienced intern?
I immediately apologized to Commissioner Davies. He let it go, out of respect for me.
But just as I was about to fire Amber, Leo burst into the conference room.
"Aurora Blackwood, Amber Thorne is my intern. You have no right to fire her!"
"You're so irrational and blindly retaliating; it honestly disgusts me!"
He didn't ask for reasons, just pointed at me and yelled.
The gentle, charming man he once was, now glaring at me for another woman.
I put down the documents and looked at him calmly.
"Mr. Sterling, please clarify your identity."
"First, you are my husband. Where do you put my reputation when you stand up for another woman?"
"Second, you are the head of Sterling Enterprises. Do you really think Amber Thorne is qualified to handle such an important partnership?"
"Ask everyone here, am I being irrational?!"
Leo's face went pale, his fists clenched tight, knuckles turning white.
The air in the conference room seemed to freeze. Everyone held their breath.
I looked at Amber Thorne.
"Come on, tell us yourself. What did you do to Commissioner Davies during the meeting?"
Amber hung her head, unable to utter a word for a long time.
I pulled out the surveillance footage from that day and handed it to Leo.
The screen showed Amber Thorne yelling at Commissioner Davies, calling him a condescending jerk, and then pouring a cup of coffee over his head.
Amber quickly tried to defend herself, "Leo, he insulted me, that's why I…"
I crossed my legs and looked up at her.
"You got several of the project data points wrong. He was kindly correcting you. You call that an insult?"
But Leo was still defending her.
"Amber is also new to such a major meeting. She might have been nervous and misspoke."
"No harm was done. Just for my sake, give her another chance."
I looked at Leo's pleading eyes and suddenly found it incredibly laughable.
"You have two choices: either fire her, or Blackwood Corp withdraws from this project."
Leo panicked. He knew this partnership was primarily based on my influence.
If Blackwood Corp pulled out, the project would definitely be lost.
Grandpa Sterling was already extremely displeased with him, and his six brothers were all waiting in the wings.
His position as CEO of Sterling Enterprises was likely at risk.
But just as he was about to make a tough decision, Amber started to sob.
"Leo, it's my fault… I shouldn't have acted on impulse and betrayed your trust."
"But Commissioner Davies, he… he said you only got where you are by clinging to the Blackwood family, he said you were just a parasite…"
"I just couldn't stand it, that's why…"
"I know I caused you trouble. I'll go to HR and resign now. Don't make it difficult…"
She started to walk out, but Leo grabbed her arm. "Stop! I won't let you leave!"
Watching this scene, my heart suddenly twisted with a sharp pain.
The man who once promised me a lifetime together was now confronting me for another woman.
I was in no mood to argue with them anymore. I called security and had them escorted out.
3
My persistence angered Grandpa Sterling, who immediately ordered Amber Thorne's termination.
To compensate her, Leo took her shopping for bags.
After circling the luxury brand section, Amber finally stopped in front of a globally limited edition Hermès Birkin bag.
Her eyes full of greed, she said,
"Leo, this bag is so exquisite!"
"But a bag of this caliber is probably only for socialites and wealthy ladies. How could someone as ordinary as me deserve it?"
Her mouth said she didn't deserve it, but her fingers clutched the bag strap tightly, refusing to let go.
"Don't underestimate yourself. You're excellent. One day you'll stand at the top and look down on everything!"
"I'll buy you this bag. Let it be your motivation."
Just then, the store manager hurried over.
"I'm so sorry, this bag was reserved by Ms. Blackwood. You two can look at our other…"
"Aurora Blackwood?"
Amber spun around, seeing me emerge from the VIP room. A flicker of hatred crossed her face, quickly replaced by a humble expression.
"Ms. Blackwood, you have excellent taste. This bag truly suits you. Someone like me is perfectly fine with a regular style."
"That's just how the world is. I could work my entire life, give it my all, and still not even touch Ms. Blackwood's shoelaces."
"But Ms. Blackwood is different. She was born to look down on everything."
"How could I possibly deserve this bag? Leo, let's go."
Leo frowned at her words. "You're both human. What makes her so superior? Don't belittle yourself."
He turned to me, anger blazing in his eyes.
"Aurora Blackwood, do you have to stomp on everyone to be satisfied?"
"Amber has fought her way to where she is now through her own efforts. Someone like you, born with a silver spoon in your mouth, can't even compare to one of her fingers!"
"You're nothing but a petty, spiteful person!"
Me, a petty person?
I almost laughed at the absurdity.
"What does her effort have to do with me? I didn't give birth to her, so don't question me."
"And I reserved this bag half a year ago. Is there a problem with me coming to pick it up today?"
Leo sneered, "You have a dozen bags in your closet. Will you die without this one?"
He suddenly pulled out his black card and slammed it on the counter. "Today, I insist on this bag!"
I looked at his hand trembling with rage, and suddenly felt a profound sense of mockery.
"Leo Sterling, have you forgotten? Every