Chapter 7
Outside the New York Stock Exchange, flashes of cameras erupted.
“Truth Finance” officially went public, with the opening surge sending its valuation soaring to over $4 billion.
In just three years, I had transformed from a discarded housewife into a rising star that Wall Street couldn’t ignore.
The moment the bell rang, my phone vibrated.
Breaking news flooded my screen:
“Anthony Group’s Education Fund Fraud Case Concluded! Anthony Sentenced to Ten Years!”
“Famed Entrepreneur’s Reputation Shattered, Over a Billion in Assets Seized!”
“Insider Trading Exposed, Industry Shaken, Hundreds of Investors Left Empty–Handed!”
I smiled. That day had finally come.
One week later, in a hotel in downtown New York.
The “Truth Finance” IPO celebration banquet was set with over a hundred
tables, filled with business elites and media representatives.
A massive banner hung in the center of the hall: “Empowering Women, A Business Legend.”
“Marie is truly a legend!”
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“I heard the new round of financing has surpassed 10 billion!”
“Who would still dare say that women are only meant to stay home?”
The clinking of glasses and the sound of applause echoed throughout the hall.
Suddenly, the atmosphere froze.
Anthony and Fiona stood at the entrance, looking utterly embarrassed and disheveled.
The once–dapper financial prodigy, now in a torn suit, scruffy and disheveled.
And the once–glamorous Fiona, now without makeup, haggard and worn.
“Marie…” Anthony mumbled, his voice tinged
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with disbelief. “You’ve finally made it…”
I walked over, holding my champagne: “Sounds like you think I should thank you for your help?”
“No… that’s not what I meant…” He stammered, panic in his eyes.
“President, Fiona suddenly lunged forward. “Please, help us! We’ve lost everything! Anthony’s going to prison, I can’t even pay the rent…”
“Is that so?” I smiled lightly. “What about that million–dollar necklace? The limited–edition LV bag?”
Fiona’s face turned pale. “We… we had to pawn them..”
“Oh, so those luxury items weren’t tokens
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of true love after all, just your bargaining chips?”
A wave of mocking laughter rippled through the crowd.
“Marie! Are you really going to push us to the edge?!” Anthony shouted, his voice filled with fury.
“Push?” I scoffed. “Who was it that used sweet lies to send me to hell?”
I turned to my son, standing beside me. “Baby, do you still remember how Fiona taught you to say your mother didn’t love you?”
“Mom, I’m sorry…” My son’s eyes were red.
“I was deceived by them. Now I finally understand what true love is, and what’s
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fake.”
“No!” Fiona shrieked, her voice desperate. “How can you say that? I treated you so well…”
“Well?” My son sneered. “You used money my dad gave you to buy those bags, pretending to care about me? Fiona, don’t you feel disgusting?”
Anthony’s face darkened. “Marie! Is this how you teach our son?!”
“I’ve only taught him one thing” I took a delicate sip of champagne, “how to see through people and their lies. Clearly, he’s learned it much faster than I did.”
I snapped my fingers. “Someone, take these two out.”
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As the security dragged the disheveled couple away, the room erupted in thunderous applause.
“No one does it better than Marie!”
“She’s the true role model for the new generation of women!”
“She made those scumbags fall into line!”
“Mom,” my son grasped my hand tightly, his voice filled with regret. “I’m sorry for making you go through all of this alone.”
I gently patted his head. “Silly boy, I’ll always be the one who loves you the most. Just remember, not all kindness in this world is worth trusting.”
A month later, in the CEO’s office near Central Park, New York.
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“President, Anthony has been sentenced,
and all his assets have been frozen and auctioned off,” my assistant reported. “Fiona was recognized while working as a hostess in a nightclub. It caused quite a scene.”
“I heard she tried to drown herself in the river?” I asked casually.
“Yes, she was rescued by the police. Now she’s become the joke of the internet, ridiculed by everyone.”
I nodded and gazed out at the dazzling nightscape of Manhattan.
Three years ago, they pushed me into hell with sweet lies.
Three years later, I made them reap the consequences with ruthless truths.
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And here I stand, at a higher place, living the best life possible.
From a housewife to a business queen,
From weak and humble to looking down on the world.
This rebirth wasn’t just about regaining my dignity–it proved one undeniable truth:
A woman should be her own leading lady, and no one should ever degrade her.
END
