Ethan panicked and lunged at my phone, attempting to snatch it from my grasp.
I calmly raised my foot, delivering a swift kick that sent him crashing to the floor.
Even the most naïve onlookers could immediately grasp what had transpired.
"It was you!"
Amanda's eyes were bloodshot, her gaze fixed firmly on Ethan.
Ethan, now frantic, waved his hands in desperation.
"Ms. Johnson, please, let me explain!"
Amanda didn't say a word—she simply raised her hand and slapped him across the face with a resounding crack.
"Throw him out!"
The security guards rushed forward, lifting Ethan by his arms.
His eyes burned with malice as he glared at me, his teeth clenched in fury.
"You've been preparing for this all along, haven't you?"
I gave a slight smile, my tone calm.
"Of course, I installed cameras in the office. It was your own guilty conscience that gave you away."
Ethan froze, his face turning beet red as his realization dawned on him.
"Ah!! I'll kill you!"
But the guards wasted no time, forcefully hauling him out of the room.
I couldn't help but shake my head.
This was, perhaps, the most fitting example of someone hoisting a stone only to have it land on their own foot.
Amanda stood there, her face clouded with guilt.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted you..."
I waved off her apology.
"No need."
I handed her the project files.
"Make sure you sign the divorce papers. I'll see you at the Civil Affairs Bureau at nine tomorrow morning."
My task was complete, and there was no point in wasting any more time.
Amanda paused, her breath catching in her throat. She stood in silence for a long moment, then nodded.
"Alright."
...
Amanda finally agreed to the divorce.
I immediately took leave from the company.
Sophie, having somehow caught wind of the news, came to me before my departure.
"Can I go with you?"
I shook my head.
"No, I'll be back soon."
Sophie gazed into my eyes, and after a long moment of silence, she nodded.
"Okay."
On the return flight, my emotions were stirred, but not out of regret.
It was more the feeling of liberation—like I was finally shedding the heavy weight of this marriage.
When the divorce certificate was stamped, a wave of relief washed over me, as though I had thrown off a massive chain that had bound me for too long.
Amanda, holding the divorce certificate in her hands, looked somewhat dazed, as though she couldn't quite come to terms with it. She wore a white dress, the same one I had bought for her when we first got together.
She had always thought it was too plain, never liking to wear it.
But now, wearing it was a statement that needed no words.
After receiving the certificate, she gently hugged me.
"Thank you."
"It's me who should be sorry. You deserve better."
With those words, she turned and walked away.
I glanced at her retreating figure, then turned and left as well.