The next morning,I headed to the company and announced my decision to withdraw my investment.
Colleagues were shocked,learning I wasn’t a minor investor but a 50%shareholder.“So that’s James Miller?The big boss…”
“No wonder he stormed in last time—he was catching a cheater!That’s why Liam hasn’t shown up…”

Emily,pale,pleaded softly,“Honey,it’s year-end.We haven’t paid employee bonuses yet.Can you delay the withdrawal?”
“Mine is yours,yours is mine—no need for this…”
I laughed.“Emily,even your staff know what happened,and you’re still playing dumb?Pointless.”
Her mouth opened,but no words came.I played the villa’s security footage,Liam’s voice clear and vile.“Emily,try me—I’m better than your husband.”
Emily,already smitten,slipped her hand into his shirt before they even entered.“Try?Let’s try.”
The dialogue and the scenes were sordid, left everyone in utter shock.

I looked at Emily.“Anything left to say?”
Her face turned pale and then looked sickly.After minutes,she stammered,“They…had nowhere to stay.I…just let them crash for a few days…”
I laughed,cranking the video’s volume.“Still won’t admit it?”
As colleagues’ whispers grew louder,Emily burst out angrily,“I’m a poor kid,so you always look down on me.Everything I do is wrong!”

“He was jobless,and I agreed to hire him.Then you backed out—what was I supposed to do?Where’s my face?”
“For my face—no,your face—I did so much,and you don’t appreciate it.You’re just framing me!”
“You’ve probably found a new woman and want to kick me out!”
Trembling with rage, I raised my hand and slapped her hard, my palm stinging from the impact.
Shaking,I said,“You’re hopeless. There’s no saving you.”
Just then,Liam rushed in with a lunchbox,steadying Emily and glaring at me.“James,you’re the one beyond saving!”
“A few days ago,I saw you with a woman,all lovey-dovey in public.You’re the one betraying Emily!”
The office erupted.“Didn’t expect the boss to play dirty too…”
“Both cheating?Just call it even…”
I started to retort,but Liam pressed on.“Don’t deny it!My mom saw it and recorded it.You should leave with nothing!”
I glanced at his video and understood instantly.
Sneering,I asked Emily,“Others might not know her,but you don’t?”
Emily finally looked at the video closely.Moments later,her face fell,and she stammered,“This…this is Sophia Bennett,CEO of Pinnacle Group?”
I gasped in mock surprise, covering my mouth.“Did I forget to tell you?I have a half-sister—her.”
Though we’re half-siblings,we never publicized it.
We only occasionally kept in touch, so even Emily didn’t know. That day, I met Sophia because she’d heard about my situation and, as a gesture of support, referred me to a private investigator.
Liam pointed,yelling,“You’re lying!I’m your cousin!How didn’t I know you had a sister like that?”
I laughed.“When my mom died,your family didn’t even show up.My dad remarried—why’s it surprising you didn’t know?”
My phone buzzed.The private investigator Sophia recommended had the info I wanted.