Chapter 6 Chapter 6 288 Vouchers Ashley's past was even more sordid than I'd imagined. My assistant spread the investigation files across the desk. I stared at the photos and curled my lips in contempt. This junior who played innocent in front of Gregory' was actually some property tycoon's caged bird behind the scenes. Her hotel records could fill a magazine. "Ms. Maria, shall we handle this?" The assistant whispered for instructions. I smoothed the wrinkles on my skirt. "First trace all the jewelry and properties she received." "Contact Mr. Robert. Tell him I have something his wife would find interesting." That night when Ashley was dragged out of the Grand Hotel by the legal wife's entourage, she was still screaming Gregory's name. The wives followed their usual routine-stripping her for photos-but my people stopped them when they tried to shave her head. "Ms. Maria's orders. We still need that face for her act." When the termination agreement was thrown at the half-naked Ashley, the bitch started shaking like a leaf: "I'll tell Muxi! If she finds out you humiliated me like this-" Suddenly I lost interest. Dealing with trash like this was beneath me. Too bored to watch her performance, I flicked my earring. "Teach her some manners." Ashley's false lashes were smeared with tears as bodyguards seized her arms: "You can't do this! Muxi-jie-" A sharp smack cut her plea short. Before her wail faded, they dragged her by the hair toward the fountain, 0.0 % 12:31 Chapter 6 shoving her face underwater until she thrashed like a plucked chicken. No trace remained of the delicate hypocrite from camera lenses. "Stop!" A familiar male voice rang from afar. Gregory sprinted over in polished Oxfords, his usually immaculate tie askew. He rushed to Ashley, tenderly lifting her before glaring at me: "Maria, have you lost your mind? Ashley has a heart condition-are you trying to kill her? Is the Perez Group so desperate for mere millions?" My eyes narrowed dangerously. He'd forgotten his place. "Gregory, who authorized you to touch Perez accounts? Seems I've been too lenient these years." Though my tone was soft, his Adam's apple bobbed visibly. Yet he shielded Ashley, those once-captivating eyes now blazing with hostility. "Maria, what do you want?" His voice tightened but held defiance. "Money? Power?" Or...do you want me to beg on my knees?" I approached deliberately, chuckling low: "What do I want?" "Gregory, you still don't understand?" Ashley suddenly broke free from his embrace, stumbling toward me: "Maria! It's all my fault! Punish me if you must, but don't take it out on Gregory!" Her theatrical display turned my stomach. 34.7 % 288 Vouchers 12:31 Chapter 6 I kicked her away, sending her crashing to the floor like a broken kite, whimpering in pain. "Ashley!" Gregory shouted hoarsely, turning to glare at me with reddened eyes, "You lunatic!" "Lunatic?" I crouched to eye level, "Gregory, when you embezzled funds, did consequences never cross your mind?" His pupils contracted sharply, throat bobbing: "I just..." I seized his jaw: "Just thought Maria's money... was easy to take?" "Or that I'd indulge you like before?" He grunted in pain yet stubbornly refused to yield. That defiant posture suddenly reminded me of the young man full of ambition five years ago. Pity times change. I released my grip and leisurely straightened my suit cuffs: "The Jackson group is now 2.3 billion in debt, plus the losses under Ashley's name, totaling 2.5 billion." "When will Gregory pay up?" Gregory's jaw tightened abruptly: "Pushing for payment now, are you trying to bankrupt the Jackson group?" "What else?" I scoffed, "Since you dared to betray, you should have thought of the consequences." Ashley suddenly rushed over: "Gregory! Don't compromise with him!" "Get lost!" Gregory pushed her away and turned to me, suppressed anger surging in his eyes, "Maria, let's talk alone." I pulled the car door open directly, not even sparing a glance, "Between us, there's nothing left to say." "All this, you brought it upon yourself." 288 Vouchers Amid the roar of the Rolls-Royce's engine, in the rearview mirror, Gregory punched the wall, blood seeping from his knuckles dragging a glaring red streak on the lime wall. 63.0 % 12:31