---- Chapter 5 That scheduled email was my final verdict on Ethan, and also my farewell to that marriage. While his world descended into chaos, I was already living in a quiet town by the sea. Everything from my past was now an ocean away. There was no Fuller Group here or Ethan. It was just a small room and a window overlooking the water. I took on a new identity-"Olivia Schmidt". The version of me who once lived cautiously as Laurel was someone I had already buried with my own hands. Here, hidden away where no one knew me, I was fully prepared to live out the rest of my life alone.

At first, I spoke to almost no one. My days moved between the cafe and my little apartment. Locals treated me as a quiet outsider and kept their distance. It was precisely the kind of silence I needed. I once believed happiness was glittering jewels and ---- effortless triumphs in high society. Now, I knew happiness could also be brewing coffee and drawing a latte heart for a sunburned traveler. Amonth later, I received an encrypted report from the person who helped me disappear. The first section was about Ethan. "He has nearly lost his mind.

He mobilized all of the Fuller Group's global networks and resources to search for you. His father and the board are furious, calling it reckless and damaging to the company's image. "Sources say after reading your email, he isolated himself for three days. Since then, he has shown no interest in work. Finding you has become his only obsession." My fingers tapped lightly against the warm cup as I read, my expression steady. It felt like reading about a stranger. Sensing my calm, the contact sent another message. " Ms. Schmidt, your email broke him.

The truth in those attachments stripped him of any justification. Allhe has left is guilt and regret." ---- I let out a soft laugh, listening to the waves crash against the rocks outside. Guilt? Regret? He spent our marriage treating another woman as his top priority. This was simply the price he had earned. I typed back, "What about Vivian?" The response came quickly. "Her situation is worse than expected. She stole your design drafts but couldn't explain their meaning. When questioned by reporters, she exposed herself. The auction collapsed into a disaster.

Most collectors and socialites walked out. It was chaos. "Fuller Group's reputation took a major hit. The board expelled her for incompetence and for causing severe losses. "She tried to seek Ethan's help but was turned away. He sent only one message-'never show up again." At the same time, her husband has also filed for divorce." Ireplied, "Got it." After that, I asked nothing more. My contact ended with one final line. "In short, Ethan ---- regrets every choice he ever made." I smiled faintly and shook my head. If he cared so much now, why didn't he care when it mattered?

I deleted every message, leaving only the last one I sent. "Let him regret it for the rest of his life then."