Chapter 14
Liam stood before the floor–to–ceiling windows on the top floor of Landau Group, gazing down at the city lights below.
News reports continued to play in the background. As Liam adjusted his suit cuffs, he smirked, thinking about the cascade of problems Jake would soon face.
Just then, a knock came at the door. His assistant entered, delivering a document.
“Mr. Shaw, all procedures have been completed. Landau Group’s core assets have been transferred
to your name.”
“Excellent.”
Liam took a pen and signed his name. “Notify the PR department. I want to hold a press conference.”
That afternoon, the conference hall at the Financial Center was packed with reporters.
Under the glare of camera flashes, Liam stood impeccably dressed in his suit, wearing a perfect
smile.
“Regarding the rumors circulating online, I’d like to provide specific clarifications,” he began, his head slightly bowed, tone sincere. “First, Miss Hannah Matthews and I are merely casual acquaintances–everything else is pure speculation. Second, Landau Group’s crisis resulted entirely from the former management’s poor decisions. Shaw Enterprises simply made an appropriate choice at the opportune moment. Furthermore…”
Before he could finish, a recording suddenly played over the speakers:
“Once Jake has nothing left, he’ll understand who’s truly right for him!” Hannah’s voice was manic. “I’ve prepared all the documents. You promised after we succeed, you’d give me everything I want!”
Liam’s cold laugh was clearly audible: “Of course, my dear partner.”
The hall erupted in commotion. Liam’s expression didn’t change as he pressed a remote control. “As you’ve all just heard, this was entirely Miss Matthews’s personal vendetta. I have more evidence
here…”
At that very moment, Hannah was hiding in her apartment, watching the live broadcast, her entire
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Chapter 14
body trembling.
Her phone vibrated constantly with abusive messages from unknown numbers.
With shaking fingers, she dialed Liam’s number, only to hear the cold automated response: “Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service…”
“Bastard!”
She screamed, hurling her phone against the wall. Her carefully applied makeup streaked with tears, revealing the haggard face beneath.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Hannah rushed to open it as if grasping at a lifeline, but was immediately blinded by camera flashes.
Somehow, reporters had gathered outside her apartment.
“Miss Matthews! Why did you frame Jake Landau? Is there a hidden story here?”
“What’s your relationship with Liam Shaw? Did he really instruct you to do this?”
“We’ve heard you faked a pregnancy to trap him into marriage. Care to comment?”
Hannah stumbled backward, tripping over her high heels onto the carpet.
She stared at the flashing lights, screaming hysterically: “Liam forced me to do it all! He promised
once Jake had nothing left, he would marry me!” She grabbed everything within reach and hurled it at the reporters. “Get out! All of you get out!”
This unhinged footage quickly went viral online.
Meanwhile, Jake sat in the police station’s monitoring room, watching everything unfold with an
expressionless face.
It was he who had leaked Hannah’s address to the reporters.
‘Mr. Landau, the complete video evidence you provided was crucial,” the officer said, handing him a document after reviewing the footage.
‘Liam is suspected of business fraud. We’ve already applied for an arrest warrant.”
Jake nodded, his long fingers tapping lightly on the table. “The fact that Hannah leaked business
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secrets is equally clear. Landau Group will be formally pressing charges against her as well.”
It was deep into the night when he left the police station. The rain had intensified, reminiscent of the night Avery had left.
Jake tilted his head back, letting the cold raindrops hit his face.
He knew some mistakes could never be rectified, some losses never recovered.
But at the very least, he could ensure those who hurt her paid the price.
Under the same sky, Hannah had finally escaped her apartment after the reporters departed.
She stood in the rain outside Liam’s building, water dripping from her hair, a kitchen knife gleaming
coldly in her hand under the streetlights.
Her once–perfectly manicured nails were broken, her expensive dress soaked through, clinging to her body like a second skin that couldn’t be peeled away.
The security guard recognized her–after all, she had been a regular visitor, Liam’s “girlfriend.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he let her in.
In the few seconds the elevator took to ascend, Hannah’s breathing grew increasingly rapid.
She recalled Liam’s cold eyes at the press conference, how casually he had distanced himself from
her, how she had been discarded like trash…
“Ding-”
The door opened.
Liam’s apartment was brightly lit. He sat on the sofa, a glass of red wine in hand, the newly acquired
Landau Group stock certificates spread before him.
A smile played at his lips as he savored his victory like a trophy.
“Liam.” Hannah’s voice was so hoarse she barely recognized it herself.
He jerked his head up, pupils contracting when he recognized her.
“How did you get in?!” He stood, spilling wine across the floor.
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Hannah laughed, laughing so hard tears streamed down her face.
“You ruined me,” she said softly. “You destroyed me, and now I’ll destroy you. Let’s go to hell
together…”
When Liam saw what she held, his expression transformed instantly.
“Are you insane?!” He backed away, reaching for his phone. “Security! Security!”
Hannah didn’t give him the chance.
She lunged forward, the knife cutting through air. Liam dodged awkwardly, but not before the blade sliced his shoulder, drawing blood.
He cried out in pain, knocking over the coffee table, scattering documents everywhere.
“You fucking psychopath!” he roared.-
Hannah ignored him, bending to gather the stock certificates, laughing maniacally.
“You wanted Landau Group, didn’t you?” Her hands trembled as she pulled out a lighter. “I’ll make sure you never get it!”
The flame flared with a hiss. Paper caught fire instantly, flames licking the expensive leather sofa as thick smoke billowed upward.
Liam’s face drained of all color.
“You-!” He rushed forward to salvage the documents but was blocked by Hannah’s knife.
“Call the police! Someone call the police!” he screamed toward the door.
Hannah stood amid the flames, laughing like a victor.
“Too late,” she whispered. “You’re finished.”
Police sirens approached in the distance, the rumble of fire engines following close behind.
Liam stared at her intensely before suddenly breaking into a cold laugh.
“Lunatic,” he spat through gritted teeth. “You stupid fool. You deserved everything Jake did to you!”
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Hannah’s smile froze on her face..
The next moment, police broke down the door. She was pinned to the ground, the flames illuminating her face like a grotesque curtain call.
Meanwhile, Liam stood to the side, shoulder bleeding, eyes dark with malice, watching as everything he had schemed for turned to white ash in the flames.
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