Chapter 4

The reality of the situation had never been clear to Amelia. Once the divorce is finalised, the title of Mrs Bennett will no longer belong to her, along with the props that came with it.

The unlimited credit card, the designer hand bags the sparkling jewellery and the high end clothes will be gone. Non of it bothered her anymore. What really mattered was the fact that she was finally free, still the notion amused her.

"Do you think I am one of the self sacrificing heroines from a romance novel who walks away from a divorce with nothing?" She remarked. Joy, with a wide smile. Amelia had spend days planning her next moves, for 4 years she had faithfully played the role of Fedrick's wife.

She maintained perfect image of the Bennett family's daughter in-law, hosting parties, attending events and dolting on Fedrick's relatives.

Despite his cold demeanor, she share his bad and his life even when love was clearly absent but now things were different. The reason for the divorce wasn't trivial, it was Fedrick's infidelity, playing simple.

He wasn't just cheating: was about to have a child with another woman. Amelia wasn't bitter about it anymore, she was giving him exactly what he wanted, freedom to be with his mistress, but that freedom would come at a price, half of his assets.

To Amelia, it wasn't greed, It was justice, she yet spent years putting herself at last, tolerating his disdain and sacrificing her own happiness for his reputation.

If she walked away now, it will be on her own terms with half of his fortune, she will be financially secured and ready to step into a world of opportunities that didn't evolve around him.

Joy clapped her hands in admiration of Amelia's reasoning. "I was thinking way too small" she said with a grin. "You are not just walking away, you are moving into Forbes most influential women list, money, freedom and no useless man dragging you down."

"Honestly I am jealous" Amelia chuckled. "Let us say I am done playing the fool, if Fedrick thinks he can brush me aside like some insignificant detail, he has another thing coming."

With a playful salute, Joy added "Future tycoon, do not forget the little people like me when you are rolling in dollars" they both let out a loud laughter.

That same day, Amelia sent the divorce papers to both the Bennett family mansion in Moon Bay and Fedrick's office at Bennett corporation, she made sure that there was no escaping them, wherever he went, the papers would follow.

It didn't take long for them to cause a stir During a critical company meeting, Fedrick assistant Derek, was in a hurry to meet up preparations for the meeting. He was compiling a list of financial reports.

Bedside the stack was the divorce papers sent from Amelia through the delivery man. Suddenly his phone buzz angrily, he had already know who was calling. He picked it up without hesitation.

"We don't have all the day, you know that right?" Fedrick's voice was cold and sharp. Derek's voice trembled "I am almost…" he didn't allow him to complete his statement before the line went dead.

Without hesitation Derek's quickly wrap all the documents on the table.Accidentally, he shuffled the divorce papers into a stack of financial report. In the conference hall, seated were the top executives of Bennett corporations and Phoenix Empire, Secretaries from both companies, other stake holders, Derek and Fedrick the CEO of Bennett corporations.

The meeting began as the documents were projected onto the screen. The first 3 slides were financial reports on their recent deal with the Phoenix Empire, they had invested billions of dollars into the company's core sector which is the Fashion sector.

After series of discussions and contemplations, they finally arrived at a decision. At the display of the next slide, the entire boardroom Froze, the bold text at the top read "DIVORCE AGREEMENT" in large letters, immediately catching the attention of everyone present.

The details were impossible to miss. Amelia had only demanded half of his assets but also outlines the reasons for the split clarity. Cheating during marriage, maintaining a stay at home wife while flaunting with his mistress.

A man who lacks self respect is a stain on the society. Inadequate of a husband, incapable of producing an heir after years of marriage. His actions justifies a divorce, the room was silent, safe from awkward coughs of a few executives who didn't dare to meet Fedrick's gaze.

It was the kind of scandal no one expected from the usually stoic polished CEO. Derek scrambled to shut of the projector. His hands trembling as he glance nervously at his boss Fedrick.

Fedrick's face had darkened his jaw clenched tightly, the papers sat on the table before him, their words burning into his mind. His silence was louder than an outbursts.

When the meeting finally ended, Fedrick stormed back to his office, he sat at his desk staring at his papers in disbelief, for a very long moment he said nothing, the let out a scoff, tossing them aside.

"Her games are getting elaborate" he muttered. Fedrick didn't see this coming, the Amelia he had once knew is becoming more unpredictable.

Derek still hovering by the door hesitated, "sir" he ventured cautiously. "Do you think she is serious this time? It feels different." Fedrick's reply was cold and dismissive. "No way, Amelia is obsessive, she wouldn't leave even if the world were ending."

Derek nodded, though doubt lingered in his mind, over the years he has witness Amelia's devotion first hand. She had always seemed loyal to her faults. Before leaving, Derek stopped again as thought nagging at him.

"Sir with so many people in the meeting, should we address the rumours, it might create a speculation about the company." Fedrick waved him off with a sharp glare. "There is no need dignifying baseless rumours with a response. Get back to work."

Derek left the room shutting the door gently behind him. Fedrick, left alone in the still silence or the room. Suddenly his phone buzzed, causing a vibration against the table. Fedrick ignored it at first but the continuous shrewd loud ring of his phone piercing through his ear like a needle made him pick up, without bother checking the callers ID.

At the other end of the phone was a cold stern and sharp voice cutting through the stillness on the room. "Good afternoon Fedrick Bennett." Dominic Andreson's phone was dripping with malice, sending an uncontrollable shiver down Fedrick's spine.

Fedrick grip tightened around his phone, his mind racing with questions. What did Dominic Abbdreson, the CEO of Phoenix empire want, they just conclude a deal between the Bennett corporations and Phoenix Empire. "Andreson, what can I do for you"

Dominic let out a chuckle, low and menacing like the rumbling of a thunder storm."I can see you are having some hard time with your marriage, I hope this won't affect our deal. You know what that means if it does." His voice sent an uncontrollable shiver down Fedrick's spine.

Fedrick eye flickered at the scattered divorce papers before him. "I don't see how that is any of your concern, it doesn't have anything to do with our deal. Be rest assured Andreson, everything is under control." Fedrick replied with a composure, his voice neutral.

Dominic let out a loud laughter, sending shivers down Fedrick's spine. "Oh, but it is, Fedrick. You see, our deal is worth billions, and I won't let anything jeopardize it. Not even your personal life." Dominic replied with a cold menacing tone.

Dominic Andreson was a ruthless businessman who would stop at nothing to protect his interests. The Phoenix Empire was notorious for its cutthroat tactics of handling deals in businesses.

"I understand," Fedrick said, keeping his tone steady. The line went dead in an instant. Fedrick let out a heavy sigh he never knew he was holding. The once stoic CEO of Bennett corporations, now seen in a fearful state. His heart still racing, he knew he had to tread carefully, any mistake could mean a disaster for Bennett corporation.

Amelia waited, days passed without a single word from Fedrick, annoyed, she finally decided to unblock his number and called him directly, the first ring barely finish before the line went dead. Frowning, she tried again only for him to hang up immediately.

Grinding her teeth, Amelia tossed the phone aside, "childish" she muttered under her breath. She reminded herself not to stoop to his level. Once the divorce was finalised, and the settlement was secured, she'd hire a public relations team to expose the truth about Fedrick and his double life.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone buzzed unexpectedly. Picking it up, she raised an eye brow, the number wasn't one she recognised but something told her to answer.

The voice on the other end was calm and casual. "Amelia" the man said, "It's time we talk about your next steps" she tilted her head in confusion her curiosity piqued, "who is this?"

"You will find out soon enough" the voice replied. "Let us say I am someone who could help you turn this divorce into an opportunity you will never regret"

Amelia leaned back against her chair, a sly smile spreading across her lips. Fedrick might have underestimated her but she was only just getting started.