He Left Me For His Pregnant Ex, So I Took Everything Chapter 13

He Left Me For His Pregnant Ex, So I Took Everything Chapter 13

Ruby lunged to block the screen. “Turn it off! Turn it off!”

I said, “Ruby, you want me to let you go? Fine. Return Garrison Group’s money and separate the Vances from the company.”

Mrs. Vance rushed the stage. “Scarlett Stirling, do you have to humiliate the Vances in public like this?”

I looked at her. “You brought that humiliation yourselves.”

Garrett walked up. He didn’t look at Ruby. He looked only at her.

“Pay it back.”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “You’re forcing me too?”

“Pay it back.”

Mrs. Vance pleaded, “Garrett, don’t listen to her!”

Garrett said, “Mom, enough.”

Applause started in the audience. Nobody knew who began it.

Ruby stood on stage, unable to cry anymore.

I handed the microphone back to the host. “Continue.”

That night, Garrison Group’s donations totaled twelve million dollars.

And Ruby’s dignity ended right there on that screen.

Garrison Group’s annual press conference was the last real battle.

Ruby had vanished for two days.

Mrs. Vance hadn’t caused any scenes.

Summer was more worried than ever. *Ms. Stirling, they must be cooking something up.”

“Yes.”

“Are we still going ahead?”

“Yes.”

Before the conference began, Garrett came backstage.

“Ruby has contacted some old media contacts. They’re planning to ask about the child during the Q&A.”

I said, “Handle it.”

He smiled bitterly. “No one listens to me anymore.”

“Then learn to take responsibility.”

He looked at me. “Scarlett, if I hadn’t lied to you back then…”

I cut him off. “No ifs.”

He nodded. “I know.”

The conference started.

I’d just finished presenting Garrison Group’s new strategy when a hand went up.

“Chairwoman Stirling, there are rumors that you interfered in Mr. Vance’s family affairs, leading to questions about his child’s paternity. Is that true?”

Complete silence.

Ruby entered from the side door. Mrs. Vance followed.

This time Ruby wasn’t crying.

“Scarlett Stirling, you love evidence, don’t you? Then let’s lay it all out in public.”

I asked, “What do you want to say?”

She pulled out a so-called statement. “This is Garrett’s signed acknowledgment of the child.”

Garrett stood. “That’s a hospital document from the birth.”

Ruby raised her voice. “You signed it. Don’t try to deny it!”

Mrs. Vance chimed in, “That’s right! The child is a Vance!”

I looked at Garrett. “You tell them.”

He walked on stage. “I’ll handle the child’s matter privately.”

Ruby laughed. “Privately? Afraid of embarrassment? Garrett, when you lied to her about the divorce to get with me, you weren’t afraid then.”

Gasps filled the room.

Mrs. Vance’s face went gray. “Ruby!”

Ruby was beyond control. “Your family begged me to have that baby! Your mother said as long as I got pregnant, Scarlett would have to step aside. Now that you’ve lost the company, you want to dump me?”

Garrett’s face was pale as ash.

I said nothing. Some truths didn’t need me to speak them.

Ruby pointed at me next. “And you! Stop pretending to be so noble. You’re just coasting on your family’s money!”

I nodded. “Yes.”

She froze.

I continued, “I have money. I have shares. I have evidence. And I have the ability to clean up this mess.”

“What do you have?”

Ruby’s mouth opened and closed.

I turned to the audience. “Today’s conference wasn’t meant to address personal matters. But since Ruby has publicly admitted that the Vances used pregnancy to pressure me into a divorce, I will submit all relevant documents to Garrison Group’s audit committee. Any funds tied to the company will be fully recovered.”

“As for the child—that’s the Vances’ private affair. Garrison Group will not pay for anyone’s personal bills again.”

Applause erupted. Louder this time.

Ruby stood on stage, finally out of words.

Mrs. Vance tried to steady her, but Ruby shoved her off. “Don’t touch me! This was all your idea!”

Mrs. Vance snapped back, “You have no shame, and you’re blaming me?”

The two of them started arguing right there on stage.

Garrett stood apart, like he was isolated from everyone.

I took back the microphone. “Security, please escort both of them out.”

The conference continued.

That day, signed orders totaled two point eight billion dollars.

Garrison Group’s stock rose for three consecutive days.

Garrett’s old era was officially over.