Chapter 234

Philip's POV

I sat in my car, fingers unconsciously tapping against the steering wheel.The lights outside Howard's mansion remained bright, stinging my exhausted eyes. That man-Howard Thompson-his voice echoed in my mind like a ghost: "An investor ruled by emotions is truly a pathetic sight."

Pathetic. The word cut through my pride like a sharpened blade.

*The lion of Wall Street, reduced to a lamb for slaughter.*

Everything I had prided myself on-my achievements,my reputation,my wealth-suddenly seemed so fragile. I drew a deep breath, feeling a tightness in my chest as if invisible hands were strangling me. There was a time when I could maintain perfect composure during the most intense trades, yet now. I couldn't even manage my own family affairs.

Brian's words hammered against my heart with crushing weight: "You don't even think. That's why you lost your wife, why your company's stock is plummeting... all of this is simply the price of your stupidity."

*A five-year-old child. My son. I've been completely exposed by a five-year-old child,*

My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles turning white from the pressure. Was it true? Had I really been as blind as he claimed?

The long-standing confidence within me began to collapse. A wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to close my eyes and wait for the sensation to pass.

*Philip Baker doesn't make such elementary mistakes. Philip Baker is

always right.*

But the evidence proved otherwise. I had been wrong. Repeatedly,consistently wrong.

I suddenly recognized a disturbing pattern-ever since Sarah entered my life. the same scenario kept playing out: Sarah would come to me in tears,claiming someone had hurt her; I'd see her tearful face and immediately become her protector; she'd whisper who had "wounded" her; I'd confront that person without a second thought; and ultimately, that person would produce evidence proving they'd been falsely accused.

*Who am I really protecting? A woman in need, or just satisfying my own vanity with a hero complex?*

This realization hit like a sledgehammer to my temple. My heartbeat grew erratic, heat rushed to my head, a buzzing filled my ears.

"Fuck!" I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, the hard mnetal beneath the leather cover connecting with my palm, the sharp pain eliciting a growl from my throat. "You idiot! You fucking idiot!"

I gasped for air, sweat dripping down my forehead onto my suit.I remembered Annie's gaze-that mixture of disappointment and pity.She had seen through everything long ago, while I remained oblivious,an arrogant fool.

"Annie was right..." I murmured, my throat constricting around the words,"She was right all along."

I recalled when Sarah first claimed Annie was jealous of her, how I believed her without hesitation. Every time I confronted Annie, she would refute my accusations, but I never once doubted Sarah's words.

*Do I love Sarah, or do I just love feeling like her savior?*

The question cut through me like a dll knife, slow and agonizing.I recalled everything that had transpired that day-that damn vasectomy.I had initially refused, but when my mother threatened suicide if I didn't agree.I relented.

The fear and anger after the surgery washed over me again. That feeling of being manipulated, of having my body violated-I had never felt so helpless in my life. Even during the worst financial crises, I could at least make my own decisions. But this time...

*I can never father another child. She took away my choice.*

The thought made my stomach churn, and I hastily rolled down the window, the cold air sweeping across my damp forehead. To quell my anger, Sarah had pretended to consider abortion. A brilliant move-she knew I would never allow my child to be terminated. So I rushed to stop her, and when backed into a corner, she immediately shifted the blame to Brian.

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, feeling the muscles in my cheek twitch. Brian was right; I truly had been monumentally stupid. If I had thought rationally, Sarah's story was full of holes:

Why would Brian convince Sarah to get an abortion? What could he possibly gain from that?

*All lies. From beginning to end, carefully crafted lies.*

An unprecedented rage exploded within me, and I made a strange sound between laughter and sobbing. I punched the dashboard, my vision blurring with tears. This wasn't how Philip Baker responded to situations.

Philip Baker was calm, rational, always in control. But now...

"She played me... like a goddamn puppet!" My voice echoed in the confined space of the car, sounding strangely foreign. I shoved the car door open, the cold wind hitting my face, but failing to extinguish the shame and anger burning inside me. I bent over, hands braced on my knees.gulping air, trying to calm the emotions threatening to tear mne apart.

By forcing me to get a vasectomy, Sarah had ensured the child in her womb would be my only heir. By accusing Brian, she had eliminated competition for my assets. Each of her moves had been calculated with such precision, and I... I had accepted it all without question!

"My career..." I whispered. collapsing back into the car and shutting the door,my forehead pressing heavily against the cold steering wheel. When the markets opened tomorrow morning, what would happen to Baker Investment's stock? I swallowed with difficulty, nausea rising in my throat.Year-end bonuses, partnership shares, board positions... everything I had painstakingly built would turn to ashes within hours.

*I can solve complex financial derivative problems, yet couldn't see through a woman's simple lies.*

I slumped in the driver's seat, staring vacantly at my blurred reflection in the windshield. The once-shining, Philip Baker, now a hollow shell. With trembling fingers, I loosened my tie, feeling as if it were strangling me.

My phone suddenly vibrated-it was Sarah.

My heart skipped a beat, my stomach turning. Sarah. A name that once accelerated my heartbeat now sent a chill through me. I stared at the screen, almost able to see her beautiful face streaked with artificial tears,weaving her next deception.

"You want me to fall for it again?" I growled at the screen. "What do you want? My blood? My marrow? My soul?"

The phone continued to vibrate insistently. I knew she would keep calling until I answered. A mixture of fury and curiosity made me want to smash the phone. yet I couldn't help wondering what new story she would fabricate.

I jabbed the answer button, my finger whitening from the pressure. The tenderness and affection I once felt for her had vanished, replaced by an icy determination.

"What do you want to tell me?" My voice was low and dangerous.

On the other end, Sarah's breathing sounded slightly hurried: "Philip,about what happened today,we need to talk..."

Her voice remained sweet, carrying that vulnerability I had once found irresistible.

I gripped the phone tightly,saying nothing.

"Philip? Did you hear me?" Her voice now carried a hint of unease.