Three Miles to Betrayal

At the company's new product launch, I stood as Vice President to deliver the speech.

This phone's camera function is incredibly powerful. Even from three miles away, it can capture a person's face with perfect clarity.

The entire venue erupted in uproar. Someone questioned skeptically:

That's impossible. This technology is currently beyond what anyone in the world can achieve.

"If STAR, as a rising tech company, wants people to believe them, they need to show actual results."

I nodded.

"Of course. Please look at the big screen."

The next second, images of my wife and the sales manager entering and leaving a love hotel appeared on the large screen.

In the photo, Betty's features were extraordinarily clear.

Even the color of her eyeshadow was visible in perfect detail.

I began to explain the photo in detail.

"Everyone should recognize the people in this photo. On the left is my wife, Betty, who is also the CEO of STAR Tech."

"As for the one on the right, that's our company's sales manager, Paul."

People exchanged glances. The venue had fallen so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"I took this photo from the STAR Tech building."

"The distance to the hotel is exactly three miles."

Many people glanced toward the corner. A flash of panic crossed Betty's face before it gradually turned cold.

In contrast, Paul beside her quickly stood up to defend himself.

"Alex, are you deliberately trying to ruin me?"

"Betty and I are completely innocent!"

I raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "When did I ever say there was something going on between you two?"

Paul was instantly speechless, while Betty beside him wore a dark expression.

She stood up and asked me, "Alex, by showing this photo publicly, aren't you just accusing Paul and me?"

"If you have something to say, say it openly."

"There's no need to play these petty games behind people's backs."

Seeing she remained calm, I continued speaking.

"You're right. I do want to take this opportunity to ask clearly what your purpose was that day."

Many people sensed the atmosphere turning awkward.

But they all showed expressions of watching drama unfold, enjoying the spectacle at the scene. Some even started making comments.

"Could this be some new type of marketing stunt?"

"If so, they're really going all out."

"I don't think it's real either. Probably just trying to trend online."

But Betty explained without batting an eye, "What a coincidence. We were also planning to test the product's performance at the hotel that day."

"It's just that your results look better."

If I hadn't obtained solid evidence beforehand, I wouldn't have believed it either.

That the woman I'd loved for five years would go behind my back to a love hotel with the product manager.

When I first captured this, I briefly doubted I'd identified the wrong person.

However, the company's new product's main feature was ultra-long-distance high-definition photography.

Never mind facial featuresyou could even see the pores.

Paul quickly chimed in, "That's right, Betty and I were indeed testing the new product!"

Just when everyone thought I would fly into a rage over this.

I calmly raised my hand, signaling them not to be nervous.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? Testing a new product at a love hotel? Paul, if you like Betty, just tell me directly. I can file for divorce that same day. After that, even if you two sleep your way through every love hotel in America, it's none of my business."

Paul's face turned deathly pale as he shook his head frantically.

He began shouting his innocence to the surrounding crowd, "Everything I said is true! You have to believe me!"

I knew he wouldn't admit it because he cared about his reputation.

And his real objective hadn't been achieved yet. My public exposure had completely disrupted his entire plan.

Betty, wearing high heels, quickly strode onto the stage to confront me.

"Alex, do you have no idea how you even got into this company in the first place?"

"Without my family's support, could you have what you have today?"

"Now that you've grown wings, you want to use these filthy tricks to kick me aside, is that it?!"

I smiled as I answered her.

"Yes, that's right. I do plan to kick you out. Either divest your shares, or give me fifty million in cash. Choose one."

Betty froze for a moment, then instead of getting angry, she laughed. Her eyes were full of disdain for me.

She deliberately raised her voice so everyone in the venue could hear clearly.

"Alex, what the hell is wrong with you today?"

"I won't choose either of those options!"

She paused, then took a step forward.

Her tone carried a threat.

"By the way, do you know this launch event is being livestreamed?"

"Making a scene like this in front of so many peopledo you have any idea how much damage you're causing STAR?"

I watched her deliberately change the subject and sneered inwardly.

But my face remained calm as I went along with her words.

"Of course I know it's livestreamed."

"I also know that right now, five million people are watching in the stream."

"Perfect timing for them to witness this. I, Alex, take responsibility for every word I've said today."

The whispers in the venue turned into loud discussions.

Those who had connections with Betty's family or had received favors from them immediately stood up, pointing and gossiping about me.

"STAR Company got where it is today precisely because Betty's family supported it. What you're doing is really underhanded!"

"Exactly! A man who relies on his wife doesn't even have this basic awareness?"

"Got rich through his wife, and now he wants to bite back."

"Betty's family is really unlucky. How did they raise such an ungrateful wretch!"

Over the years, I'd encountered countless taunts and had long grown accustomed to them.

I looked past this crowd and focused my gaze back on Betty.

"Have you decided? Which option will you choose?"

Betty stared at me with an expression that shifted between light and dark.

Then she reached out and snatched the microphone from my hand, shouting.

"Get lost!"

"From this moment on, you're no longer the Vice President of STAR Tech."

"STAR no longer has anything to do with you!"

Watching her hysterical appearance, I couldn't help but laugh.

Because I'd anticipated all of this.

I slowly pulled out a divorce agreement I'd prepared long ago from my pocket.

"Since you won't choose to divest, that means you're choosing to give me fifty million."

"Sign it."

Betty asked me in disbelief, "You had this prepared all along?"

"Won't you be satisfied until everyone knows about this, until you've ruined me and ruined the company?"

"I'll say it one more timethere's absolutely nothing going on between Paul and me!"

I waved my hand, indicating she didn't need to explain anymore.

My tone also carried a hint of impatience.

"We're all adults here. There's no need for these excuses."

"You just need to pay for your decisions."

Seeing she still wanted to argue, I leaned closer and whispered a reminder in her ear with a smile.

"You don't actually think I only prepared one photo, do you?"

"If you want more evidence, no problem. Today I'll make you satisfied."

"I'll let everyone appreciate your explicit photos too."

As I spoke, I turned around, intending to grab the remote control, but Betty desperately blocked me.

She panicked, glanced at the venue, then questioned me in a low voice.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Don't forget, STAR belongs to my family. My father built it up. What right do you have to do this?!"

Then she raised the microphone and apologized to everyone.

"Today our launch event has encountered a small issue. The livestream ends here."

"Please give us a bit more time. We'll give you an explanation later."

Having said that, regardless of everyone's reaction, she immediately shouted to the company security at the foot of the stage.

"You guys, throw him out."

"From now on, don't let him set foot in STAR ever again!"

Some security guards wanted to take action but were stopped by their captain.

Betty was trembling with rage. "I gave you your job! Do you want to disobey orders?!"

What no one expected was that the security captain simply bowed to her and spoke slowly.

"I'm sorry, Betty. We don't have that authority."

Betty's body stiffened, as if she'd misheard.

Her voice was trembling, mixed with anger.

"You... what did you say?"

"I'm giving you an order to throw this man out, and you're telling me you don't have the authority?"

The security captain still shook his head, his tone firm, without the slightest waver.

"That's right. We truly don't have that authority."

Not only was Betty stunned, but everyone present was stunned.

Everyone knew that behind STAR Tech was Betty's family.

Betty was the eldest daughter and STAR's CEO. Her word was law in the company.

How could such a situation possibly arise?

Betty quickly recovered and said through gritted teeth to the security captain.

"Are you trying to rebel?"

"Believe it or not, I'll fire you right now and make sure you can't work in this industry anymore?"

Watching her bully even the security guard while acting so imperious.

I couldn't help but interrupt.

"Enough. Does making a working person's life difficult give you a sense of superiority?"

"Or can you just not understand human speech?"

No one expected me to be so assertive.

In the past, I'd always restrained myself in front of her.

Everyone thought I was afraid of her, but now I dared to publicly humiliate her.

So quite a few people whispered privately.

"Has Alex lost his mind? How dare he talk to Betty like that? Isn't he afraid she'll settle scores with him?"

"With Betty's family's power, crushing him would be easy."

"I think he's probably desperate, trying to make a big score while he has this chance."

"This kind of person is terrifying. Betty's family kindly gave him a hand back then, and he repays kindness with enmity."

Betty seized the opportunity, wanting to use public opinion to ensure I could never recover.

She raised the microphone, her tone filled with grievance.

"Everyone saw it, right?"

"How did my family treat him back then?"

"We gave him our hearts, even made an exception to let him join the company leadership, giving him opportunities others could only dream of."

"But what about him? Now he's turning around to bite us, trying to take over STAR!"

Watching her perform so emotionally, I couldn't help but laugh.

"You can play the victim if you want, but be careful about shooting yourself in the foot."

Betty's face darkened as she looked at me with contempt.

"Are you completely shameless now?"

Seeing I remained unmoved, she panicked.

"If security won't throw you out, I'll call the police!"

She pulled out her phone, her fingers swiping rapidly.

I replied unhurriedly, "Go ahead and call them. I don't mind."

Betty was so flustered by my response she couldn't speak, trembling with rage.

She pointed at me, struggling for a long time before managing to squeeze out one word: "You!"

At that moment, the launch venue's main door was suddenly pushed open, and urgent footsteps echoed.

Betty's parents rushed toward us.

Seeing her parents appear.

Betty acted as if she'd found a lifeline and immediately put away the anger on her face.

She replaced it with a pitiful expression as she rushed toward them.

"Dad, Mom, you're finally here!"

She grabbed her mother's hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Alex is an ungrateful wretch. He wants to take over STAR and publicly bullied and humiliated me."

"You have to get revenge for me!"

She cried while making accusations.

She portrayed herself as utterly wronged, pushing all the blame onto me.

But before she could finish speaking, her mother Laurence suddenly raised her hand and slapped her across the face!

The slap caught Betty completely off guard. It was fast and hard.

The sound was especially jarring in the quiet venue.

Betty covered her face with wide eyes, completely stunned.

But Laurence pointed at her and angrily rebuked.

"Shut up! If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"

Laurence's slap landed solidly on her daughter's face.

Betty, who had been crying moments ago, had her tears instantly knocked back.

She covered her face with her mouth open, unable to speak for a long time, her eyes full of disbelief.

I stood to the side, also secretly surprised.

I knew Laurence too well. She usually cherished Betty like the apple of her eye.

She wouldn't even say a harsh word to her, yet today she struck so hard.

In contrast, her father Anderson's face was ashen as he pointed at his daughter and angrily shouted.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble?!"

"The way we spoil you at homelook at yourself today! Is this acceptable?"

Betty finally snapped out of it and screamed at her parents.

"What did I do wrong? Why are you hitting me?!"

"He's the one trying to steal our family's assets, trying to seize STAR!"

"If STAR gets taken by him, our family is finished! Why don't you understand?!"

She became more agitated as she spoke, tears flowing again, her tone full of grievance and unwillingness.

But even with all her crying and defending, the old couple remained unmoved.

They exchanged glances, and Laurence was the first to force a smile at mevery stiff, but her tone was gentle.

"Alex, you've really been wronged today."

I smiled faintly. "Wronged isn't quite the word. I just don't want any more involvement with her."

The crowd had long been confused by this dramatic turn of events.

A friend who had a good relationship with Anderson couldn't help but step forward.

"Anderson, aren't you being too hasty?"

"What Betty said actually isn't wrong."

Anderson sighed helplessly, his tone vague.

"You don't understand the situation. Don't interfere."

His words, openly and subtly, meant he didn't want outsiders meddling in their family affairs.

He even tried to get everyone to leave, clearly not wanting to air their dirty laundry in public.

"Don't do that, Mr. Anderson."

"My innocence hasn't been cleared yet. If everyone leaves, who will testify for me?"

Anderson's expression turned ugly.

He lowered his voice, his tone pleading.

"Alex, I'm begging you."

"Whatever we need to discuss, we can talk about it privately as a family. There's no need to make it known to everyone."

"This isn't good for anyone. It's inappropriate."

I looked at him and asked indifferently.

"What's inappropriate about it?"

"I gave you a chance back then. You didn't treasure it and missed it."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Hearing this, Laurence's expression darkened.

"Alex, what more do you want?"

"I hit my daughter, I scolded her. This matter should be settled now. Don't push your luck!"

I sneered inwardly. Did they think that hitting their daughter once and scolding her a couple of times could offset everything?

That it would make me let it go?

I slowly shook my head and reminded them word by word.

"Some things aren't settled just because you say so."

Betty was already full of anger to begin with.

With my comment, she instantly exploded.

"Alex, don't push your luck!"

"I'll settle this score with you sooner or later!"

I looked at her stubborn appearance and suddenly found it rather laughable.

Five yearswhat exactly had I married?

"You were deceived. Do you know that?"

Betty sneered.

"What was I deceived about?"

"Oh, I was deceived all right, but the one who deceived me is you, Alex!"

"Don't try to confuse the issue here!"

I was too lazy to waste more words with her.

I looked toward the corner, at Paul who was trying to sneak away.

He'd just taken a phone call and his face had instantly turned deathly pale.

He kept his head down and had only taken two steps when I called out to him.

"Don't rush off. Come here, let's talk."

Hearing my voice, Paul's whole body stiffened.

He hesitated for a long time, not even daring to turn his head back.

Betty panicked and blocked Paul, speaking up for him.

"Alex, this is between the two of us. It has nothing to do with him!"

"What do you want with him?"

I looked at her protective behavior and a meaningful smile curved my lips.

"You're not stupid. You're genuinely foolish."

"How dare you insult me?!"

Betty wanted to continue her outburst but I interrupted her.

"Are you sure this really has nothing to do with him?"

Betty's eyes flickered, clearly hesitant, but she still stubbornly replied.

"That's right, it has nothing to do with him. Come at me if you have any issues!"

The old couple panicked and pulled their daughter back, trying to stop her from speaking.

But Betty seemed to have lost her mind.

She broke free from her parents' hands and shouted at me again.

"Do you have anything else to say?!"

But the moment her words fell, two uniformed police officers burst in, their expressions serious, walking straight toward Paul.