Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 123

Chapter 9

A month had passed when someone finally filled me in on the downfall of the Zane, White, and Ward families.

The Zane family had long been tangled in their own internal strife, but after the recent scandal, everything spiraled out of control. Betrayals multiplied as insiders began leaking company secrets and stabbing each other in the back without hesitation.

Mr. Zane himself was dragged into court, facing serious charges of tax evasion. With their leader under legal fire, the Zane Group quickly unraveled. Employees abandoned ship, leaving the company in ruins as people scattered to different directions.

The Ward family, who had seemed stable and prosperous earlier that year, faced a harsher fate. Following the incident, every other family withdrew their business ties and pulled out their investments, unwilling to risk association. Forced into a corner, Mr. Ward had no choice but to sell off the company’s assets and declare bankruptcy, barely managing to stop the family from sinking into overwhelming debt.

Meanwhile, the Shaw Group met a similar fate. The once-bustling company building now stood deserted, its entrance smeared with peeling paint and official seals marking it for liquidation.

Sebastian, clutching his young son Tyler, found himself homeless and desperate. He reached out to Vivian, begging her to take them in, but her bodyguards turned him away coldly. In utter despair, he held his son close and leapt from the rooftop of the Ward family building.

Yet, to my shock, Vivian showed no flicker of emotion. She arranged for their bodies to be sent directly to the crematorium, neglecting any funeral rites or memorials. The ashes were left to be disposed of however the crematorium saw fit.

And me?

Given everything I owed my daughter, I now take her with me wherever I go. If she’s never tasted something before, I buy it for her. If she’s never worn a particular outfit, I make sure she has it. Whatever she wishes, I obey without question—I’ve become completely devoted to her happiness.

Today, at her request, I brought her to my laboratory all the way in Boston.

She looked around with wide-eyed curiosity.

“Mom, is this where you work?” she asked softly.

I smiled and gently ruffled her hair.

“Yes, sweetheart. From now on, you’ll be living here with me. This place has the best educational resources, but when Mommy gets busy, I might not have as much time to take you out to play.”

“You mean that little witch Vivian Ward? I remember her. She used to try to sneak into my bed, but I could tell she was trash, so I told her to get lost. She ended up as one of my buddy’s side chicks,” my apprentice said with complete disdain.

Ivy’s mouth twitched in confusion.

“The woman Dad married was just a side chick to your friend? But you’re Mom’s apprentice and want to be my dad?”

I could see the wheels turning in her head.

“So… what exactly is Mom’s position in all this?”

The whole situation felt tangled and confusing, even to me.

But one thing was clear to Ivy: “Mom was really powerful!!!”