
The Neighbor’s Cat Destroyed His Lies
Chapter 4
After secretly gathering sufficient evidence, I visited Julian’s company to investigate his business operations. I was not going to leave him any escape routes. I was there to ensure he could not conceal or transfer assets.
Several senior executives knew who I was and cooperated without complaint.
Only Ivy, emboldened by Julian’s favor, sabotaged me at every turn. She sent people to lure me to the outdoor smoking area.
With no one around, Ivy dropped her act. “Clara, isn’t it better to be a pampered cat?
“You’re a worthless waste of barren space. Julian is already doing you a favor by keeping you around. Why must you ruin everything and make a fool of yourself?”
I sneered coldly. “Fine. I won’t divorce him.”
Ivy was momentarily stunned. “Huh?”
My laughter grew sharper. “You’re both pathetic and stupid. You came here to provoke me just to force me into divorcing Julian quickly so you can take my place?
“Too bad, once you’re in my position, all you’ll inherit is a mountain of debt. You’ll get nothing else.
“Remember that Ragdoll cat? Your fate will be far worse.”
Ivy must have seen that Ragdoll cat.
Starving, it had begged for food at my doorstep, only to be shut out.
Forced to fight other strays for scraps, it had returned covered in wounds. No words could describe the tragedy.
Perhaps witnessing the Ragdoll cat’s fate triggered Ivy. She lunged at me, teeth bared, lashing out. “You’re the unwanted one. You’re the worthless waste of space who is about to be kicked out! How dare you curse me?”
Disgust filled my eyes as I sidestepped her.
Ivy lost her balance and fell onto the floor. She clutched her belly and whimpered in agony.
The commotion drew others. Julian, who had learned of the incident, rushed back at top speed. Without a word, he grabbed my arm and forced me to apologize to Ivy.
I refused coldly. “She fell on her own. The surveillance footage proves it.”
Julian glared at me, clenching his teeth. “Nonsense! Why would there be any surveillance in the smoking area?”
Just as I was about to say there actually was, Ivy rubbed her eyes and cried out, “Mr. Shane, it’s not Ms. Hill’s fault. It’s all my fault for living next door to you. It led to Ms. Hill misunderstanding us.
“Could you plead with Ms. Hill for me? She resents me and can bully me however she wants, but she can’t deliberately harm the child in my womb!”
Julian’s eyes widened. “Clara, you’d harm an unborn baby? The child is innocent!”
“Innocent?”
I sneered coldly. “Who knows who the father is—”
Before I could finish, Julian’s palm slammed hard across my face.
“You’re beyond redemption!
“Clara, you brought this on yourself. Don’t blame me for being ruthless! You wanted to sue, right? Fine. I’ll schedule the hearing for tomorrow.
“The Shane family has no use for a heartless, twisted, jealous harpy like you!”
At that moment, we ceased to be husband and wife. We became mortal enemies locked in a bitter feud.
Everyone, including my own parents, sided with Julian.
Before the hearing, they continued to try to persuade me.
“Clara, did you really cheat?
“The internet is already calling you a harlot and a toxic wench who seduced other men while seizing your husband’s fortune. Your reputation has been utterly ruined.
“Snap out of it. Don’t throw away your chance to redeem yourself, okay?”
Julian’s parents would not even glance at me. “An ingrate is an ingrate. No amount of nurturing will change that.
“Julian, she’s leaving with nothing. When she regrets it and comes back on her knees begging for forgiveness, don’t show any mercy!”
Julian wore an expression of patience worn thin. He spoke as if he was granting me a favor. “Apologize now, and I’ll pretend this never happened.
“Otherwise, you’ll sleep on the streets and grow old alone.”
I remained silent. My gaze remained on the judge as the formal hearing commenced.
The judge spoke. A single sentence instantly drained the confidence from Julian’s face, leaving him pale. Everyone else stared in disbelief.
“How... how could this be?”
“Julian, what have you been hiding from us?”