My In-Laws Wanted My Billion-Dollar Empire Chapter 02

My In-Laws Wanted My Billion-Dollar Empire Chapter 02

Ethan hadn’t expected that the woman who had always protected his reputation in front of outsiders would refuse to cover for him this time.

His expression hardened.

“Natalie, today is an important day for the Hayes Family.”

“After all these years of marriage, can’t you stop being so stubborn and think about what really matters?”

Hearing the warning in his lowered voice, I let out a soft laugh.

Back when we were dating.

No matter what I did.

No matter how strong-willed I was.

Ethan had always accepted me for who I was.

He even looked at me with affection and told me he loved the way I dared to love and hate, the way I never lowered my head for anyone.

He said that version of me shined like the sun.

But now.

Just because I refused to take responsibility for something I never did, I had suddenly become “immature” and “selfish.”

I looked at the man I had loved for nearly ten years.

For the first time.

I realized how hypocritical, selfish, and cold he really was.

“The bigger picture?”

I looked straight at Ethan.

My voice remained calm.

“Ethan, tell me something.”

“Who do you think built the reputation you’re so desperate to protect?”

Before I could finish.

Ethan interrupted me with a cold voice.

“Enough, Natalie.”

“Looking back, I realize I’ve been too easy on you all these years.”

“Starting today, I’m announcing that the Hayes Family will officially separate our assets from yours.”

“From now on, you’re not allowed to use Mom and Dad’s retirement estate or vehicles without permission.”

“And your shares in Tensei Tech will also be transferred.”

“We’re going to complete this separation completely.”

Only then did I finally understand.

This carefully planned wedding drama was never about making me apologize.

The real goal had always been my 30% founder’s shares in Tensei Tech.

The moment Ethan said those words.

Everyone in the Hayes Family revealed the greed they had been desperately hiding.

It was the most basic greed of people staring at something they wanted to possess.

Even if the person they wanted to take everything from was the one who had changed their lives.

At that moment.

The last bit of hope I had for this family disappeared completely.

Ten years of love.

Five years of marriage.

The sincerity I had given them without holding back.

In the end.

It was nothing but a joke.

“Ethan Hayes.”

I looked at him.

“Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”

Maybe it was because he had never seen me look at him with such cold indifference.

For a moment.

A flicker of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

But soon.

He forced it away and nodded firmly.

“Even if you refuse, it won’t change anything.”

“As the eldest son of the Hayes Family and the current CEO of Tensei Tech, I have the authority to deal with your shares according to the original Shareholder Agreement.”

“Take the compensation and leave now.”

“That’s the last bit of dignity you have left.”

“Otherwise, you’ll walk away with nothing.”

After saying that.

He glanced toward the secretary standing below the stage.

The secretary immediately stepped forward and placed a document in front of me.

When I helped the Hayes Family build Tensei Tech, I already knew there was a loophole hidden inside that Shareholder Agreement.

That loophole was enough to allow Ethan to strip away all my shares under certain circumstances.

But back then.

I believed something foolish.

That love mattered more than profit.

I never imagined that one day, my own husband would stand against me for money.

Looking back now.

I was simply too naive.

I opened the document.

The terms were written clearly.

All Tensei Tech shares under my name would be transferred, without compensation, to Ethan Hayes, Ryan Hayes, and Chloe Hayes.

The luxury estate registered under my name and the Maybach would also be transferred to Richard Hayes and Linda Hayes.

The agreement even stated:

I voluntarily waived all rights to make future claims.

From that point forward, I could no longer interfere with anything related to the Hayes Family, including Tensei Tech’s operations.

I stared at those clauses.

Then I couldn’t help but laugh.

They had prepared everything long ago.

So this so-called “family asset separation” was never Madison’s sudden idea.

It had been planned long ago.

Maybe they had started calculating this a long time ago.

Calculating how to legally take everything I owned.

I flipped to the final page.

Then I placed the agreement back on the table.

I lifted my head.

My eyes swept over the people standing in front of me one by one.

“Have you all really thought this through?”

“You’re sure you want me to sign this?”

Linda Hayes was the first to speak.

“Natalie, this was always how it should have been.”

“The Hayes Family let you marry into this family, not take control of our assets.”

“Once you sign it, we’ll still be family.”

“We can continue living peacefully together. Isn’t that better?”

Richard Hayes nodded.

“We’re family. There’s no need to separate everything so clearly.”

“These things belonged to the Hayes Family from the beginning.”

“Give them back, and you’ll still be our eldest daughter-in-law.”

“No one will treat you unfairly.”

Chloe lowered her head and spoke softly.

“Natalie, just sign it.”

“You have so much money. These things don’t mean anything to you.”

“But they’re different for us.”

“We really need them.”

Ryan quickly followed.

“Natalie, you have so many assets now. How could you possibly care about these?”

“Just help us this once.”

“We’ll remember everything you’ve done for us.”

Madison stood nearby with her arms crossed.

She let out a mocking laugh.

“You heard them.”

“The entire family feels the same way.”

“Stop pretending and sign it.”

“Don’t ruin our wedding.”

Finally.

My gaze returned to Ethan.

He looked at me.

His voice softened.

It sounded like he was comforting me.

But it also sounded like he was giving me one last chance.

“Natalie, sign it.”

“We’ve been married for so many years.”

“Do you really not trust me?”

“If you really love me, then sign this agreement.”

“Prove that you were never with me because of the Hayes Family’s money.”

The moment I heard those words.

I finally laughed.

So this was what they called love.

They wanted me to hand over everything I had built with my own hands.

They wanted the entire family to take it away.

And then they turned around and accused me of wanting their money.

I laughed for a long time.

Only after a while did I slowly stop.

I looked at Ethan.

“Ethan.”

“These things really don’t mean much to me.”

“But…”

I paused.

“Are you sure you can actually handle all of this?”