The man was in his forties, in a crisp suit.

The woman was holding a document folder.

"Hello, Ms. Clara. I am Patrick, the legal advisor for Evergreen Capital, and this is my colleague, Lena. Entrusted by Madame Evelyn, we are here to handle your asset handover."

I opened the door.

After Patrick came in, he didn't waste time.

He placed the documents on the table.

"Madame Evelyn gave three instructions."

"First, the remaining mortgage on that apartment of yours in the old district has been fully paid off."

He handed over the proof of settlement.

"Second, these are the documents for your personal trust, which were managed by Madame Evelyn before your marriage. Now that you have regained your single status, the management rights will be transferred back to you within thirty days."

Lena opened the folder.

A list was spread out, page by page.

Two commercial properties in the city center, valued at 810 million.

Dividend rights in early-stage Evergreen Capital projects, valued at 600 million.

Various shares in publicly traded companies, with a market value of over 900 million.

Cash and wealth management products, 350 million.

Artworks and real estate, valued at 180 million.

A total of 2.84 billion.

I looked at the final figure, my fingertips resting on the paper.

"Are these... all mine?"

Patrick nodded.

"Madame Evelyn said she began preparing these on your twentieth birthday. She wanted to ensure that no matter who you married, you would never be doing it just to scrape by."

My throat felt tight.

Patrick continued: "Third, Madame Evelyn asked me to hand over these cards."

Lena took out a black cardholder.

"This one is your personal black card."

"This one is the Evergreen Capital business card."

"And this one is the overseas contingency account, containing approximately 210 million in equivalent RMB."

I looked at the cards, suddenly remembering what Mrs. Beatrice had said before the wedding.

"Clara, after you marry in, you must learn to be frugal. The Fu family's money doesn't come from the wind."

It turned out they were the ones who should have been learning to be frugal.

"Did my mother say anything else?"

Patrick smiled.

"Madame Evelyn said, 'Let her get a good night's sleep. Starting tomorrow, she can vent her anger however she likes, and I will support her.'"

I smiled too.

"Then, please give a message back to her for me, Lawyer Patrick."

"Please, go ahead."

"Tell my mother, I’ve woken up, and I will vent my own anger."

Patrick nodded.

"Madame Evelyn will be very pleased to hear that."

After they left, I opened Sia’s post again.

Mrs. Beatrice was showing off in the comments section again.

"Mina is truly thoughtful; she said she wants to take me to buy jewelry. In the three years the previous one was married in, she never even gave me a decent gift."

Mina replied: "Auntie deserves the best."

I took a screenshot.

Then, I replied.

"It’s convenient to swipe cards abroad, but do keep an eye on your credit limits. Don't be surprised when the bill turns out to be more unforgettable than the scenery."

After sending it, I turned off my phone.

On the coffee table lay documents for 2.84 billion in assets.

On my phone were the displays of the Fu family’s vanity.

I suddenly felt that this divorce was worth it.

At the very least, it allowed me to see clearly.

Some people are not worth me lowering my head.

3

On the third day, news about Fu Medical began to spread.

Lena called me.

"Ms. Clara, Fu Medical's stock price has been falling continuously. The partner banks entered the premises this morning, and funding for three projects has been suspended."

I asked: "What about Julian Fu’s father?"

"He has been trying to reach Madame Evelyn. She only took the call once."

"What did she say?"

Lena suppressed a laugh.

"Madame Evelyn said, 'Chairman Fu, the cooperation period has expired, this is a standard withdrawal. My daughter is single again, so our two families no longer have any ties.'"

I could imagine his reaction.

He must be unable to fathom it.

How could a daughter-in-law he looked down upon be able to make Evergreen Capital pull its funding just like that?

And he certainly couldn't understand how the in-laws he deemed "ordinary" held the lifeblood of his company in their hands.

"What about Julian Fu?"

"He's still abroad."

Lena said: "They went to a jewelry store last night. His mother picked out a necklace, and Mina had to swipe two cards just to pay for it. This morning, the hotel notified them to pay an additional deposit. The supplementary cards under Julian’s name have already been canceled by his father."

I leaned back in my chair.

"His father canceled them?"

"Yes."

"He reacts fast."

Lena said: "Too bad it's too late. Mina has already posted about it on social media—the hotel suites, the luxury watches, the jewelry, it's all there. Now that Fu Medical is facing a liquidity crunch, all the suppliers are watching."

I opened the social media platform.

Mina had posted new photos.

She was arm-in-arm with Julian’s mother.

The caption read: "Being spoiled like a little daughter by Auntie."

Someone commented below: "The Young Master is quite wealthy, taking the whole family abroad right after his divorce."

Mina replied: "Julian has always been great; he was just held back in the past."

I looked at it for two seconds and saved a screenshot.

Just as I was about to exit, Julian called.

I answered.

"Clara Shen!"

His tone was suppressing fury.

"What on earth did you say to your mother?"

I said: "I told her I got divorced."

"Quit playing dumb! Why did Evergreen pull the funding? Why are the banks auditing the accounts? Did you have this planned all along?"

"Julian, we are already divorced. Your company has nothing to do with me."

"Nothing to do with you?"

He sneered.

"If it really had nothing to do with you, would your mother suddenly pull the funding? Clara, I never realized you were this underhanded before."

I set down my water glass.

"There are a lot of things about me you never realized before."

He paused.

I continued: "For instance, you didn't know that the sports car you drive was purchased with project bonuses backed by Evergreen."

The other end of the line went quiet.

After a few seconds, his voice rose.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said."

"Clara Shen, don't think you're so special just because you have your mother backing you up. Fu Medical is not something you can touch."

I said: "Then don't be so anxious."

He gritted his teeth.

"Are you trying to force me to come back and beg you?"

"You’re overthinking it."

"Then what do you want?"

I looked out the window.

"I want you to stop mistaking ignorance for superiority."

Julian laughed in anger.

"Clara, do you really think you're something?"

I asked: "Did you pay the hotel deposit?"

The other end went silent again.

I said: "International roaming is expensive; try to save some money."

I hung up.

Soon, his mother called as well.

I pressed answer.

She started cursing as soon as she spoke: "Clara Shen, you heartless thing! How did our family ever treat you poorly? If you wanted a divorce, fine, but why are you trying to ruin our family!"

I waited for her to finish.

"Mrs. Fu, first, I am no longer your daughter-in-law. Second, Evergreen Capital's withdrawal is a standard business action. Third, if you continue to curse at me, I will have my lawyer send you a formal notice."

She was even more furious.

"How dare you threaten me?"

"I am merely offering a reminder."

"What exactly does your mother do? By what right does she pull our funding?"

"Mrs. Fu, didn't you say my family was just a small, modest operation?"

There was no sound on the other end.

I added: "You should go back to buying your jewelry; don't let Mina down."

"Clara Shen, you just wait! When we get back to the country, I will make you explain this to my face!"

"Fine."

I hung up.

Lena's message came in shortly after.

The hotel demanded the Fu family pay the outstanding balance, but Julian’s card was declined.

Mina paid part of the fees, and she is already nearing her credit limit.

Julian’s father has ordered them to return to the country immediately.

I replied with one word.

"Good."

Don't the members of the Fu family love to maintain appearances?

Then let them return home in disgrace, carrying all that vanity they were so eager to show off.

4

On the morning of the fifth day, the Fu family returned.

Lena sent a message.

They arrived flying economy class.

There was an argument at the airport over excess baggage.

Julian’s father went to pick them up himself; there was no chauffeur.

After reading this, I had just put my phone down when Patrick called.