My Ex Fiancée Mocked Me Until I Killed Her Deal

Benjamin, the new intern at the company, accidentally ate some hallucinogenic mushrooms and started tripping.

He lunged at my fiance Audrey and kissed her wildly.

Not only did Audrey not push him away, she actually ran her fingers through his hair.

Then Audrey explained to me, He didn't mean it. Stop looking so serious.

I laughed bitterly. "Even if he wasn't in his right mind, why did you kiss him back? You even used tongue."

Audrey raised an eyebrow. "I didn't! It was just a reflex."

"If you don't like it, then quit. Once you're not an employee here, you won't have to see any of this anymore!"

She never expected that on the day that intern got his permanent position, I actually resigned.

From that day on, I disappeared from her world.

Five years later, Audrey met with me as a partner of my company.

She had no idea what my position was now. She looked at me with pity. "After all this time away, you're still just an assistant. If you apologize, I'll let you come back to work for me."

I closed the file and made a phone call. "This partner doesn't meet our standards. We're canceling this deal."

I got up to leave.

Benjamin pressed his hand on my files. "William, you're already here. Don't rush off. We haven't even started talking yet!"

"Blanchett Family Group is a Fortune 500 company. Surely your employees have better manners than this?"

Carter, a former colleague, snorted and crossed his arms. "Clearly just some errand boy who's never seen the real world. Does he really think one phone call can make or break a project?"

"Hey, don't talk about William like that!" Benjamin frowned and glared at Carter, though the reprimand seemed superficial.

"After all, he has some special history with Audrey. Since things didn't work out, he's holding a grudge and won't negotiate with us. It's understandable."

I glanced at my watch. "Fine. You have twenty minutes to say whatever you want. I have another meeting after this."

"William, getting addicted to this act?" Audrey spoke up slowly.

She leaned back in her leather chair, looking lazy. "Since you want to play, I'll play along. We're all old friends here. Don't be too harsh on the price."

As she spoke, her eyes swept over my plain shirt and stopped on my left ring finger.

I wore a simple, humble ring there.

No gemstone embellishments. Not even gold.

Benjamin followed her gaze, his lips curling up. His tone was light. "William, you actually got married? Why didn't you invite us to the wedding?"

Carter immediately chimed in, nudging Benjamin with his elbow. "When are you and Audrey getting married? I saw you picking out wedding rings yesterday."

"Carter!" Benjamin playfully punched his shoulder, though his ears turned red. "Don't talk nonsense. Audrey and I are just colleagues."

Audrey's lips curved slightly as she deliberately reached out to adjust Benjamin's collar.

This gesture drew ambiguous jeers from Carter and the other colleagues.

I looked down and organized my files, completely unmoved.

I'd been through the same thing five years ago.

This little provocation was nothing.

The door to the private room opened and a server came in with coffee.

I had no intention of staying to watch their performance. I turned to leave.

"Wait, William!"

Benjamin rushed up but deliberately shoved the server.

Coffee splashed all over my back.

My white shirt was instantly soaked through with the brown liquid.

"Oops!" Benjamin exclaimed, though he couldn't hide the smile at the corners of his mouth. "William, are you okay?"

The server frantically handed me napkins. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to..."

"It's fine." I took the napkins, my voice calm. "Someone pushed you."

Benjamin's expression changed. "What are you trying to say? You weren't careful and now you're blaming others?"

Carter immediately backed him up. "Exactly. We all saw it. You clearly turned around too fast."

I turned back. The soaked white shirt had become semi-transparent.

Coffee dripped from the hem onto the floor.

The situation was pretty bad.

"William," Audrey finally spoke, her tone tinged with faint annoyance. "Stop embarrassing yourself."

She casually grabbed a suit jacket from one of her subordinates and tossed it on the sofa nearest to me.

The meaning was obvious.

I didn't touch the jacket. I just calmly turned around. "I'm going to the restroom."

I barely managed to clean up my back with water when my phone buzzed with a message: [Car's downstairs]

I replied with a simple "okay."

As I walked out of the restroom, I heard hushed voices from around the corner.

"I heard when he suddenly quit back then, he'd gotten some woman at the company pregnant. It was a whole thing..."

"Keep your voice down... but I heard about that too. Something about not handling it cleanly, almost ended up in a lawsuit..."

Halfway through their conversation, they saw me and immediately fell silent.

Benjamin raised his hand to adjust his shirt collar, his tone casual. "William, Audrey said she'll give you one more chance. Sign at the price we stated, and she can throw some other projects your way."

I walked right past them and pushed open the door to the private room.

Audrey was flipping through my files.

When she saw me come in, she didn't stop. She just glanced up. "This report isn't bad." She closed the file and pushed it forward lightly. "Come back to Rayjedo Company. I'll give you double the salary."

"No need." I took back my files. "Today's negotiation ends here."

"William!" Audrey's volume suddenly spiked. "You think working at Blanchett Family Group makes you special? They only hired you because you're cheap! Where's your supervisor? How could they let you handle a project worth hundreds of millions?"

I didn't respond. I just turned toward the door.

As my hand touched the doorknob, her voice rang out again. "William, it's been five years. Haven't you had enough of this tantrum?"

I paused. A tantrum?

How arrogant did someone have to be to think that five years of separation was just throwing a tantrum?

"Audrey," I said calmly. "My time is valuable."

Her expression darkened. "What are you acting so high and mighty for? If it weren't for me back then, do you think you could have become team leader?"

She looked at me with contempt. "You go work odd jobs at Blanchett Family Group and forget who's responsible for that impressive resume of yours?"

I didn't bother with this lunatic. I just got in the elevator.

The air before a storm was hot and sticky.

I sat in the car, watching messages constantly pop up in my class group chat.

Class president @everyone:

[Tonight at 7 PM, Parson Hotel. Bring your families! Dr. Andre will be there too!]

Of course it had to be tonight.

We hadn't been in touch for five years. I never expected Audrey had already become the second-in-command at Rayjedo Company Group.

The person who was supposed to show up at today's negotiation was originally a vice president from Rayjedo Company. They changed it at the last minute.

Made me step in shit.

Someone @'d me: [William, why aren't you responding? You have to come! Dr. Andre always cared about you the most!]

I stared at the screen and finally replied "okay."

Dr. Andre had been kind to me. I couldn't disrespect him just because I didn't want to see Audrey.

That evening, Audrey booked the Presidential Hall at Parson Hotel and let everyone party freely.

Our class of 36, plus family members, made for a lively crowd.

As soon as I pushed open the door, I heard Benjamin's laughter.

He stood next to Audrey, surrounded by several classmates flattering him.

Someone saw me and immediately stirred up conversation.

"Oh, William's finally here!"

"I heard after you quit, you haven't had steady work? Man, they say the closer you are, the better your chances. You and Audrey got recruited by the same company right out of school. Why didn't you know to hold onto her?"

I smiled and didn't respond. I found a corner to sit in.

The class president was already drunk. He suddenly slapped the table. "What do you guys know! William back then... *hic*... to go to the same school as Audrey, he could have gotten into Harvard!"

"Oh my god! Really?"

"Of course it's true! His family told him to think carefully, but he insisted on going to the same school as Audrey!"

Everyone sighed.

Audrey swirled her wine glass, smiling faintly. "Everyone has their own fate."

I couldn't help but think of that youth that would never return.

Back then, I really was stupid enough to downgrade my school application.

At eighteen, I believed some things were worth sacrificing all rationality for.

Now, hearing her casual tone, I just felt laughably naive.

Benjamin laughed loudly nearby. "Whatever you say about William's feelings back then, they were real and brave. Come on, everyone raise a glass to William!"

Someone immediately chimed in.

"Benjamin really has class! Now you and Audrey have both career and love. That's true fulfillment!"

"Some people, well, they chose their own path and have to deal with the consequences. Can't blame anyone else."

I looked down and sipped my coffee.

The coffee was warm, but it couldn't warm the coldness in my fingertips.

My phone vibrated. It was my mom calling.

I got up and went to the balcony.

Her voice on the other end was slightly angry. "What time are you coming back? Go pick up the kid."

I turned to the side and lowered my voice. "Soon. Right away."

When I hung up, I turned around and found two female classmates standing at the balcony door, their expressions odd.

"William, did you have a wedding ceremony? We're all old classmates. Why didn't you invite us?"

I shook my head. "No ceremony."

"But we just heard you say... you need to pick up a kid?"

I smiled, half-joking. "Yeah, my job now is picking up and dropping off kids."

The two exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat strange.

When I returned to the private room, I learned Dr. Andre had something come up and couldn't make it.

I grabbed my jacket from the back of the chair. "Enjoy yourselves, everyone. I need to go."

A drawn-out teasing voice came from behind me. "Oh my, the employer's kids need their driver to pick them up!"

Everyone laughed.

I turned to look at the female classmate who'd just talked to me on the balcony.

Is this what she told them?

I didn't bother to argue. I pushed open the door and left.

Outside the hotel, rain poured down.

I waited for a while, but the rain didn't let up.

People from the party gradually started leaving the hotel.

Audrey held a black umbrella and walked up beside me. "Where do you live? I'll give you a ride."

"No need."

She stared at me and suddenly said, "William, what exactly do you want?"

I looked at her like she was an idiot. "I don't want anything. But Audrey, aren't you afraid your fianc will be jealous if you give me a ride?"

Audrey frowned. "I was forced into what happened with Benjamin back then. He was delirious from the poisoning. What could I do? If there was really something between us, we'd have kids by now."

I looked at her calmly. "Then I wish you both many children. Is it too late for that?"

"You"

I didn't wait for her to finish. I walked straight to a taxi that had stopped by the curb.

On the day I went to a business reception, the financial news broke the story about the failed partnership between Rayjedo Company Group and Blanchett Family Group.

Dozens of unknown numbers suddenly appeared on my phone.

I could guess it was Audrey.

When we broke up years ago, I blocked all her contact information.

If she wanted to find me, besides making a public announcement in the class group, she could only bomb me with calls from new phone numbers.

Actually, this project could have been a win-win situation. I didn't want to bring personal matters into work.

But every word out of her mouth was about how I wasn't worthy to negotiate with her.

Since she hadn't learned to respect people, I didn't need to save her face either.

"William?"

The familiar voice made me stop in my tracks.

I turned to see Audrey with her team standing by the red carpet.

Benjamin stood beside her, his well-fitted formal wear overly conspicuous under the spotlights.

"This kind of event requires an invitation." Benjamin deliberately raised his voice. "William, you didn't sneak in following your boss, did you?"

Carter immediately helped. "Want me to talk to security? They can let you in to take care of your master."

His fake concern drew sideways glances from people around us.

Audrey frowned at me. "That's enough. Stop embarrassing yourself."

She reached out to pull me away. "As my subordinate in the future, you'll naturally have chances to come to events like this and see the world. Don't be childish just to spite me. There are reporters inside."

I calmly pulled my hand back.

"Audrey, seems like Rayjedo Company has a lot of free time? The deal fell through and you still have the mood to attend receptions?"

At the mention of the deal, her expression instantly darkened.

"All because a server accidentally spilled coffee on you?"

"William, did you feed everything you learned to the dogs? Blanchett Family Group actually lets someone like you handle negotiations?"

A male colleague behind her scoffed. "Audrey, don't overestimate Mr. William. If he had the ability to ruin a partnership between Blanchett Family Group and Rayjedo Company, he wouldn't be dressed like this at a reception!"

"Like a beggar!"

This seemed to comfort Audrey. "I wouldn't go so far as to think a small-time employee like him could control the whole situation."

Benjamin immediately added, "Right. William's wearing cheap knockoffs without a single brand name. He can only dream about being a leader!"

Carter fake-sympathetically tried to smooth things over. "Don't say that. Back then, William insisted Audrey choose between letting you get your permanent position or keeping him. He probably didn't do so well after leaving Rayjedo Company in a huff!"

I looked down and adjusted my cuffs.

This outfit was from my mom's small independent brand. The colors and style suited my personality.

I didn't see anything wrong with it.

"Are you done?" I said calmly. "If you're done, please move. I'm in a hurry."

Audrey looked displeased. "Do you not understand what people are saying?"

Seeing I wasn't responding, she finally softened her attitude.

She turned and took the guest pass off Carter's neck. "Since you want to go in so badly, just stay by my side and behave."

I was about to speak when Mr. Jason from the event's organizing committee jogged over.

He interrupted our standoff.

"Mr. William, your speech is ready. Mr. Brown is asking if you want to review it first?"

Audrey's expression froze instantly.

The smile on Benjamin's lips that hadn't yet faded stiffened. He looked at the newcomer with some disbelief. "Excuse me, I think you've got the wrong person. A speech? Only three people are giving speeches at today's reception..."

I took the folder and said to Mr. Jason, "These people are not allowed inside."

Audrey grabbed my wrist. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said." I gently pulled my hand back.

A rare flash of confusion crossed her eyes.

She probably still thought I was the same fool from years ago who would interpret her slightest consideration as special attention.

Who would feel warm inside because she forcefully took the coffee from my hand and replaced it with hot milk.

Who would have his heart race because she threw my proposal on the desk in front of the whole department and said "redo it," then stayed up all night helping me revise it.

Times had changed. That kind of "kindness" only made me feel violated now.

Not long after entering the venue, my phone suddenly vibrated.

I answered and heard my mom's anxious voice. "The kid fell playing with toys and keeps crying for you..."

I immediately told a colleague, "I need to make a video call. If I'm not out when it's time, you'll give the speech for me."

Then I quickly walked toward the lounge.

...

After hanging up the video call, I got a message from my colleague: [Speech went well!]

I let out a long breath and prepared to return to the venue.

Just as I reached the corner of the hallway, I heard voices from Audrey's team coming through the half-open VIP room door.

"I'm so pissed! He wouldn't let us in, but luckily I was smart. I paid a few guests to swap passes with us. Audrey, you better reimburse me when we get back!"

"That William just bluffs. He wasn't even one of the three speakers. What an act!"

"Who does he think he is, keeping us out with one sentence? Is his employer really that powerful?"

"No matter how powerful his employer is, they wouldn't help a driver flex like that, right? Unless..."

"Everyone shut up!" Audrey's voice carried irritation. "This reception is full of potential clients. Don't you understand what situation Rayjedo Company is in right now? Stop gossiping about irrelevant people."

She glanced at her watch. "In half an hour, Business Weekly is doing my interview in the first-floor interview area. Check all the materials again."

I shook my head helplessly and turned back to the venue.

After it ended, I prepared to go home.

Passing through the first-floor lobby, I saw a well-known financial talk show doing a live broadcast at the hotel.

Audrey sat in the interview seat as an invited "young business representative."

She wore a sharp suit, her makeup perfect, her expression composed.

The host smiled. "Ms. Audrey, you've had impressive achievements in the industry in recent years, but you seem to keep your personal life very private?"

Audrey smiled faintly. "Career comes first."

"I heard you once had a first love, but ultimately didn't end up together. What's your view on men who use marriage to achieve class mobility?"

The host's question was loaded.

Audrey frowned slightly, seeming unwilling to discuss it.

Benjamin, sitting in the audience, immediately picked up the topic. "Everyone, don't pressure Ms. Audrey to talk about private matters. She really was almost deceived by a certain scumbag back then."

He sighed as if helplessly. "But now that man's older, he's fallen to being some rich woman's driver and has to pick up kids."

My steps that had been moving away paused.

This man he was referring to was me?

This interview was being broadcast live. Once spoken, those words couldn't be taken back!

I took out my phone and opened the interview's live stream.

The comments had already exploded.

[How could a scumbag like that be content as a driver? He's definitely after the rich woman, lol!]

[Ms. Audrey is so beautiful and capable. It's inevitable she'd meet a scumbag or two!]

[I heard that man was Ms. Audrey's first love. Ms. Audrey has stayed single all these years. She must have been really hurt!]

I didn't need to guess who was directing this narrative.

Back then, I gave Audrey a choice. If she let Benjamin get his permanent position, I would resign.

Although it ended unpleasantly, I left Audrey with her dignity.

From beginning to end, no one knew we had been a couple.

After Benjamin attended our class reunion and heard some old stories, he must have guessed some of the reasons why I was hostile toward her.

But without knowing the full story, could he just slander me like this?

I sneered and closed the live stream.

Benjamin had sharp eyes. He immediately raised his voice. "Oh, isn't that the first love of Ms. Audrey you just mentioned?"

He deliberately directed the camera toward me.

Some reporters eager to sniff out gossip rushed forward with their microphones.

"Mr. William, is it true that you rejected an invitation from a prestigious school just to latch onto Ms. Audrey?"

"There are rumors that after you were fired from Rayjedo Company Group, you specifically became a driver for rich women?"

"Are you here today to use Ms. Audrey for publicity?"

Benjamin stood to the side, his lips slightly curved.

The business interview instantly turned into entertainment gossip.

The next second, the venue doors suddenly burst open and a boy in a custom-tailored little suit ran in.

All the cameras instantly switched direction.

"It's the son of Caitlyn, the youngest female billionaire in the capital!" someone exclaimed.

"Oh my god, seeing him in person for the first time!"

The whole venue erupted. Even Benjamin's eyes lit up as he stared at the noble little figure.

After all, this was the heir to a truly elite family!

A tiny bit from him could sustain an ordinary person's entire lifetime of struggle.

Benjamin, who was closest to the child, reacted fastest.

He immediately crouched down, his face breaking into a sickeningly sweet smile. "How come you're here all alone?"

He reached out to touch the child's hair, but the little boy's eyes suddenly lit up as he called out sweetly, "Daddy!"

Benjamin was shocked and delighted.

"Oh my god! The kid called him daddy! So Benjamin is Caitlyn's husband?"

"No wonder Ms. Audrey treats him so specially!"

"Turns out he's the real elite!"

Benjamin thought perhaps the child's mother was selecting a husband. He stammered happily, "B-baby, say it again?"

The little boy wrinkled his nose. I couldn't help but want to laugh.