Share

Chapter 2

Author: Ninety Thousand Years
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
Shaw Corporation was officially handed over to Henry three years ago, when his father passed away.

However, behind the scenes, most of the company’s burdensome work fell on my shoulders.

After his father's death, there was an intricate mess of company politics, with subtle shifts of influence beneath the surface.

Henry had to maintain the peace. He could not afford to tear things apart, so I became the one wielding the knife.

I was insulted both openly and behind my back.

The doctor said my condition had worsened because my body was running on empty.

Lately, I had been competing with Elan Corporation for a project. We had been at each other’s throats, with both sides taking losses.

I clenched my teeth and pushed through the pressure, only to finally earn a chance to negotiate a win-win deal.

“Miss May, Madam Briggs is here too. She’d like to withdraw some money from the company’s account...”

As soon as I walked into the office, my assistant hurried to brief me.

Henry's mother, Vivian Briggs, was sitting in the CEO’s chair. Her tone was sharp.

“Mr. Leon, that was impressive. You climbed your way up by throwing the rightful heir into prison.

“He is your older brother, after all.”

A man's voice chimed in nonchalantly, “I’m just trying to survive.

“I’m not as lucky as Madam Briggs, though. She gets to live a life of leisure, being taken care of by others.”

It was Leon Pierce, the boss of Elan Corporation, who had shown up himself.

Leon was the illegitimate son of the Pierce family. Vivian was Henry’s father’s kept woman.

They were both slinging insults right in each other's faces.

I rushed in before things could get any worse.

Vivian saw me and immediately threw a file at my face.

“How dare you keep a senior waiting?! You have no respect at all! You've gotten too full of yourself!”

The sharp corner of the folder cut my forehead, and blood dripped onto my brows, making my assistant scream in shock.

Leon rose to his feet with a calm expression on his face.

“It seems like today’s not the day. Miss May, I’ll take my leave.”

Feeling humiliated, I could only have my assistant show him out.

I grabbed a couple of tissues, pressed them against my wound, and tried to explain to Vivian, “The company's money belongs to the company. It can’t be used for personal purposes.

“It’s illegal.”

Vivian let out a cold sneer. Her tone dripped with mockery.

“Can’t I take a little pocket change from my own company to buy a handbag for my future daughter-in-law?

“Do I need your permission for that, Miss May?

“Lynn, you’re nothing more than the doll my son played with when he was a kid.

“Who do you think you are?”

Vivian had always despised me.

When Henry first wanted a playmate at home, Vivian had thought of her niece.

However, Henry insisted on picking me, the wild child.

When I was seventeen, Henry's father said, “Lynn’s grown up. She should start learning how to manage the company.

“She’ll be a good helper for Henry in the future.”

His gaze was as loving as a father’s, but his hand, which was casually placed on my waist, said otherwise.

Vivian, with little backing of her own, never dared to stand up to him and his son, but she sure could take her frustrations out on me.

“We fed you and clothed you, yet this is how you repay us? Ungrateful little brat!”

She rolled her eyes and scorned.

“Now that the lady of the Monroe family is back, she’ll be my future daughter-in-law.”

“Don’t tell me a cheap imitation like you is still foolishly dreaming of marrying my son!

“If you ask me, you should be satisfied after all these years of living the high life.

“Stay in your lane and stop coveting things people like you don’t deserve."

If I had ever coveted something Henry could give me, it would not be money or power.

It would be love.

On his eighteenth birthday, Henry got drunk.

I helped him back to his room, but he clung to me, refusing to let go.

“You think that little bit of alcohol can get me drunk?

“I just don’t want to waste my time with those people. I’d rather spend my birthday with the person who matters most to me.”

His warm breath and forceful kiss unlocked the secret I kept buried deep inside.

“Lynn, be mine.”

Henry chose me and gave me a home, a place of refuge.

He paid for my education and let me see the world beyond the orphanage.

He stepped in to protect me countless times when Vivian made things difficult for me.

I thought it was love until I realized he only loved me as a substitute for her.

Vivian told me Henry was going to get engaged to Lynette.

Once she finished speaking, a satisfied smile spread across her face as she saw my stunned expression.

“Of course, we didn’t bother to inform the housemaid or the company’s assistant.”

Related chapters

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 3

    Vivian spoke animatedly about what a perfect match Henry and Lynette were.“When our families join forces, there won’t be any place left for you.“By this time next year, I should have a grandchild.“You can just stay home and change my grandson’s diapers or something.“I can still offer you a meal or two.”Henry and I were supposed to have a child together.If the baby had been born, he would be three years old now.The year Henry’s father passed away, Vivian could do nothing but cry. I had to oversee the funeral while helping Henry deal with the relatives with ulterior motives. The stress caused me to miscarry.We could not let anyone see our weaknesses, so we hid in the hospital room. Our eyes were red.Henry held me in his arms tightly, as though I were his last connection to the world.He wept as though his heart was breaking.“Lynn, I’m so tired…“Lynn, you’re all I have left…”Was it me he really wanted to hold back then? Did he have someone else in mind?Endurin

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 4

    This was not my first encounter with hardship. Back when he was still a boy, Henry had no idea how to hide his brilliance, and as a result, he made a few enemies.As the person closest to him, I once found myself cornered in an alley by a group of boys and girls.They carved their cruel words into my skin—’Henry’s lapdog’.Henry had searched everywhere outside the country for scar removal treatments, yet I still bore a few faint white marks over my heart.Without a moment’s hesitation, I slammed the gas pedal and barreled toward the crowd, hoping to break free from their blockade.However, the spikes scattered on the ground punctured my tires.The airbags deployed, disorienting me as the windows shattered.A pair of strong hands, accompanied by mocking laughter, yanked the door open and pulled me out.“Hey, chick! Are you so scared you’re about to wet yourself?”“Go ahead and pee! We’ll get you some new pants!”Their filthy words echoed in my ears, and the flashing lights in

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 5

    My resignation was nothing more than a petty act of defiance to Henry.He quickly notified the HR and finance departments to fire me, ensuring I received the statutory severance pay.I accepted the money. After all, my hospital bills were mounting.Henry also had the butler contact me, asking where to send my belongings.“Miss Monroe is getting a new pet.” “Mr. Henry instructed that your old room be converted into a pet space.”I replied, “Just throw everything away. I won’t need it anymore.”The doctor told me to stay optimistic. I had about six months left.I glanced over at Leon, feeling a little helpless.I was utterly alone during my hospitalization. Only this former ‘rival’ had come to visit me.He still insisted I should join his company.“You’ve seen it for yourself. I only have six months left. If I die at your company, you’ll be liable for damages.”Even as I said it, doubt crept in. I had no family left, so who would even seek compensation on my behalf?“Well,

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 6

    After moving out of the Shaw Residence, I temporarily settled in an apartment across from Leon’s place.He had a grand villa in the suburbs, but this unit in the city was more convenient for people like him who worked late hours, especially since it was just opposite the company.To make sure he had peace and quiet, he bought both the upper and lower floors, taking up two entire units on the same level.That evening, Vivian called me.“Lynn, where have you been hiding out?!“Henry is getting engaged. I’ll send you the venue details and a list of things we need. You’d better get on it!“The Monroe family is prestigious, and we can’t afford any mistakes…”I interrupted her. “Madam Briggs, I’ve resigned.”She paused for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.“Even if you’ve resigned, you’re still just a servant the Shaw family raised!“Being able to relieve your master’s burden is a privilege for you.”I recalled what Leon had said earlier that day.“They think I’ll stop at noth

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 7

    “Don't worry… I'll be gone soon…“I just... don't want to be haunted by Henry even after I'm dead.“Help me... please…“When we meet in heaven, I’ll treat you to a meal…”As Leon heard the struggle in my voice, his eyes grew red.“Okay.“But you have to wait for me if you’re leaving.“Wait for me at the gates of Heaven.“I'm... a little afraid of the dark.”I spent a week in the hospital, and as soon as I could get out of bed, the first thing I did was go with Leon to get our marriage certificate.Somehow, Henry found out about it and blocked the door, refusing to let me leave.He even manipulated Lynette, forcing her to apologize to me and bow with the urn of her cat’s ashes in hand.Vivian rushed over and furiously smacked her precious son, accusing me of being a femme fatale who had bewitched him.Henry shoved her aside, then dropped to his knees.His bloodshot eyes brimmed with sincerity.“Lynn, how can you marry someone else?“We're meant for each other!”I turned

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 8

    The road was shrouded in darkness. Leon stumbled along, his footsteps quickening with urgency.His biological mother had been driven out of the Pierce family by Madam Pierce when he was just a child.His older brother treated him like a pet. He would play with him when he felt like it and kick him when he did not.Their father despised this unwanted presence that disrupted the harmony of the family. Whenever he was the slightest bit displeased, he would beat Leon until his skin was raw, tossing him into the basement.It was pitch black with no light to break the endless darkness, and he had no food or water.He could not feel time passing, and all of his senses felt magnified.The silence became so profound that he could hear his own fragile nerves snapping, one by one.Desperate, he pounded on the door, crying out for mercy.No one answered.Slowly, he learned to be quiet.He learned to live quietly, grow up quietly, and turn the world upside down quietly.Later, as s

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 1

    The smoke from the burning candles in front of my grandmother’s grave stung my eyes, turning them red. A bunch of bright flowers lay on the ground. I stared at them mindlessly, my body like an unthinking machine.The doctor’s words echoed in my head, carrying a hint of regret, “You should get hospitalized soon.”I was twenty-two years old, and I had just been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer.My life was supposed to just be starting, but it was already hurtling toward a desperate end. I gripped the diagnosis. There it was—my name, Lynn May, clearly written on it.Henry Shaw gave me that name when I was twelve, after I came to live with him.The other children at the orphanage called me ‘Little Mute’ because I hardly ever said anything.I still remember that boy, who was a head taller than me, leaning down with warmth and kindness in his eyes.“You’re so small. Let’s call you Lynn from now on.”I cherished that name. After all, one only named something if one cared ab

Latest chapter

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 8

    The road was shrouded in darkness. Leon stumbled along, his footsteps quickening with urgency.His biological mother had been driven out of the Pierce family by Madam Pierce when he was just a child.His older brother treated him like a pet. He would play with him when he felt like it and kick him when he did not.Their father despised this unwanted presence that disrupted the harmony of the family. Whenever he was the slightest bit displeased, he would beat Leon until his skin was raw, tossing him into the basement.It was pitch black with no light to break the endless darkness, and he had no food or water.He could not feel time passing, and all of his senses felt magnified.The silence became so profound that he could hear his own fragile nerves snapping, one by one.Desperate, he pounded on the door, crying out for mercy.No one answered.Slowly, he learned to be quiet.He learned to live quietly, grow up quietly, and turn the world upside down quietly.Later, as s

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 7

    “Don't worry… I'll be gone soon…“I just... don't want to be haunted by Henry even after I'm dead.“Help me... please…“When we meet in heaven, I’ll treat you to a meal…”As Leon heard the struggle in my voice, his eyes grew red.“Okay.“But you have to wait for me if you’re leaving.“Wait for me at the gates of Heaven.“I'm... a little afraid of the dark.”I spent a week in the hospital, and as soon as I could get out of bed, the first thing I did was go with Leon to get our marriage certificate.Somehow, Henry found out about it and blocked the door, refusing to let me leave.He even manipulated Lynette, forcing her to apologize to me and bow with the urn of her cat’s ashes in hand.Vivian rushed over and furiously smacked her precious son, accusing me of being a femme fatale who had bewitched him.Henry shoved her aside, then dropped to his knees.His bloodshot eyes brimmed with sincerity.“Lynn, how can you marry someone else?“We're meant for each other!”I turned

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 6

    After moving out of the Shaw Residence, I temporarily settled in an apartment across from Leon’s place.He had a grand villa in the suburbs, but this unit in the city was more convenient for people like him who worked late hours, especially since it was just opposite the company.To make sure he had peace and quiet, he bought both the upper and lower floors, taking up two entire units on the same level.That evening, Vivian called me.“Lynn, where have you been hiding out?!“Henry is getting engaged. I’ll send you the venue details and a list of things we need. You’d better get on it!“The Monroe family is prestigious, and we can’t afford any mistakes…”I interrupted her. “Madam Briggs, I’ve resigned.”She paused for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.“Even if you’ve resigned, you’re still just a servant the Shaw family raised!“Being able to relieve your master’s burden is a privilege for you.”I recalled what Leon had said earlier that day.“They think I’ll stop at noth

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 5

    My resignation was nothing more than a petty act of defiance to Henry.He quickly notified the HR and finance departments to fire me, ensuring I received the statutory severance pay.I accepted the money. After all, my hospital bills were mounting.Henry also had the butler contact me, asking where to send my belongings.“Miss Monroe is getting a new pet.” “Mr. Henry instructed that your old room be converted into a pet space.”I replied, “Just throw everything away. I won’t need it anymore.”The doctor told me to stay optimistic. I had about six months left.I glanced over at Leon, feeling a little helpless.I was utterly alone during my hospitalization. Only this former ‘rival’ had come to visit me.He still insisted I should join his company.“You’ve seen it for yourself. I only have six months left. If I die at your company, you’ll be liable for damages.”Even as I said it, doubt crept in. I had no family left, so who would even seek compensation on my behalf?“Well,

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 4

    This was not my first encounter with hardship. Back when he was still a boy, Henry had no idea how to hide his brilliance, and as a result, he made a few enemies.As the person closest to him, I once found myself cornered in an alley by a group of boys and girls.They carved their cruel words into my skin—’Henry’s lapdog’.Henry had searched everywhere outside the country for scar removal treatments, yet I still bore a few faint white marks over my heart.Without a moment’s hesitation, I slammed the gas pedal and barreled toward the crowd, hoping to break free from their blockade.However, the spikes scattered on the ground punctured my tires.The airbags deployed, disorienting me as the windows shattered.A pair of strong hands, accompanied by mocking laughter, yanked the door open and pulled me out.“Hey, chick! Are you so scared you’re about to wet yourself?”“Go ahead and pee! We’ll get you some new pants!”Their filthy words echoed in my ears, and the flashing lights in

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 3

    Vivian spoke animatedly about what a perfect match Henry and Lynette were.“When our families join forces, there won’t be any place left for you.“By this time next year, I should have a grandchild.“You can just stay home and change my grandson’s diapers or something.“I can still offer you a meal or two.”Henry and I were supposed to have a child together.If the baby had been born, he would be three years old now.The year Henry’s father passed away, Vivian could do nothing but cry. I had to oversee the funeral while helping Henry deal with the relatives with ulterior motives. The stress caused me to miscarry.We could not let anyone see our weaknesses, so we hid in the hospital room. Our eyes were red.Henry held me in his arms tightly, as though I were his last connection to the world.He wept as though his heart was breaking.“Lynn, I’m so tired…“Lynn, you’re all I have left…”Was it me he really wanted to hold back then? Did he have someone else in mind?Endurin

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 2

    Shaw Corporation was officially handed over to Henry three years ago, when his father passed away.However, behind the scenes, most of the company’s burdensome work fell on my shoulders.After his father's death, there was an intricate mess of company politics, with subtle shifts of influence beneath the surface.Henry had to maintain the peace. He could not afford to tear things apart, so I became the one wielding the knife.I was insulted both openly and behind my back. The doctor said my condition had worsened because my body was running on empty.Lately, I had been competing with Elan Corporation for a project. We had been at each other’s throats, with both sides taking losses. I clenched my teeth and pushed through the pressure, only to finally earn a chance to negotiate a win-win deal.“Miss May, Madam Briggs is here too. She’d like to withdraw some money from the company’s account...”As soon as I walked into the office, my assistant hurried to brief me.Henry's moth

  • No More Living in Her Shadow   Chapter 1

    The smoke from the burning candles in front of my grandmother’s grave stung my eyes, turning them red. A bunch of bright flowers lay on the ground. I stared at them mindlessly, my body like an unthinking machine.The doctor’s words echoed in my head, carrying a hint of regret, “You should get hospitalized soon.”I was twenty-two years old, and I had just been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer.My life was supposed to just be starting, but it was already hurtling toward a desperate end. I gripped the diagnosis. There it was—my name, Lynn May, clearly written on it.Henry Shaw gave me that name when I was twelve, after I came to live with him.The other children at the orphanage called me ‘Little Mute’ because I hardly ever said anything.I still remember that boy, who was a head taller than me, leaning down with warmth and kindness in his eyes.“You’re so small. Let’s call you Lynn from now on.”I cherished that name. After all, one only named something if one cared ab

DMCA.com Protection Status